Thermal image camera
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
InventorCharles M. Redman
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The camera includes an input focussing and image cycling system to alternly cycle between a thermal reference and a thermal image, onto a thermally sensitive layer. Means are provided for electronically controlled conversion of thermal images to electron images. Further means, defined in the camera, accomplish electronic image integration and storage. The output portion of the camera includes means to furnish image intensification, after integration and storage. Photographic or electrostatic film is pulled at a constant rate by a drive system positioned at the output of the camera, to expose film to the intensified image.
Claims10
A thermal image camera comprising:
- pyroelectric means for detecting a thermal image;
- cathode means connected to the pyroelectric means for converting the thermal image to an electron image;
- vacuum means communicating with the cathode means for guiding the passage of the electron image in a preselected location;
- emitting means communicating with the vacuum means, in spaced relation with the cathode means, for storing and integrating the electron image;
- means communicating with the emitting means for amplifying the density and kinetic energy of the electron image delivered from the emitting means;
- and
- recording means positioned adjacent the outward end of the amplifying means for receiving an amplified electron image thereagainst.
A thermal image camera comprising:
- pyroelectric means for detecting a thermal image;
- cathode means connected to the pyroelectric means for converting the thermal image to an electron image;
- vacuum means communicating with the cathode means for guiding the passage of the electron image along a preselected direction;
- semiconductor means interposed at an outward end of the vacuum means for amplifying the density and kinetic energy of the electron image;
- emitting means connected at a first end thereof to the semiconductor means for storing and integrating the amplified electron image;
- means positioned adjacent an opposite end of the emitting means for controlling the time of storage and integration;
- and
- recording means positioned outwardly from the controlling means for receiving an amplified electron image thereagainst.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.