The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 18, 2001
Filed:
Jun. 25, 1999
Robert B. Chipper, Allen, TX (US);
Raytheon Company, Lexington, MA (US);
Abstract
An infrared lens and detector system and associated method are disclosed that utilize infrared lenses to form an internal entrance pupil at which an internal aperture stop is placed to control the intensity of infrared radiation focused on the infrared detector. In more detailed respects, the infrared lens is an assembly including a first infrared lens, a second infrared lens spaced from the first lens to form a pupil between the first and second lenses, and an aperture stop disposed proximal the pupil. The aperture stop may have a fixed diameter or may have an aperture stop that is manually or automatically adjustable depending upon the intensity of the infrared radiation being viewed. Significantly, this lens assembly may be sealed for improved performance particularly in extreme conditions. In more detailed respects, the lens assembly forms a wide-angle lens and includes a diffractive surface on the second lens to reduce color aberrations and improve performance. In another respect, the infrared lens is part of a detector system that also includes an infrared detector, a signal processor, and a display.