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:
Feb. 07, 2006
Filed:
Jun. 11, 2003
Eric A. Hillenbrand, Evansville, IN (US);
Roy Luoma, Fallbrook, CA (US);
R. Kyle Webb, Escondido, CA (US);
Eric A. Hillenbrand, Evansville, IN (US);
Roy Luoma, Fallbrook, CA (US);
R. Kyle Webb, Escondido, CA (US);
The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy, Washington, DC (US);
Abstract
A calibration method for radiometric imaging systems that relies on an absolute measurement of scene radiance (thereby requiring a baseline measurement of zero radiance), and a shutter assembly for taking the baseline measurement of zero radiance which is operable under cryogenic temperatures as low as 80.5K (−192.65° C.) in vacuums measuring <10torr (mm Hg). The shutter assembly generally includes an actuator and a shutter mechanism. The actuator is preferably a miniature solenoid assembly capable of operation in extreme environments (e.g. vacuums of <10torr, temperatures below 90K). The shutter mechanism preferably includes a single shutter blade and is also capable of operation when subjected to extreme environments. The method of using the shutter assembly provides a zero radiance reference measurement for an infrared imaging system, thereby providing a basis upon which absolute scene radiance may be determined.