LWIR-transmitting windows
AssigneeHughes Aircraft Company
InventorsChristopher Taylor, Michael Borden
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Abstract
A composite LWIR-transmitting window (10) comprising a thin sheet of LWIR-transmitting plastic film (11) reinforced by integration with an open mesh screen (12) of fine, thin or flat metal or fibrous filaments (14, 15). The preferred plastic film is polyethylene having a maximum thickness of about 0.03", most preferably less than about 0.02". The screen (12) comprises filaments such as woven wires or fibers or formed structures of thin metal, such as flat wires of honeycomb-type meshes which are thicker in the direction perpendicular to the plastic film to maximize reinforcement while minimizing blockage of LWIR through the open mesh areas (13).
Claims11
A composite window capable of transmitting a substantial percentage of infrared radiation having a wavelength within the range of 8 to 12 microns (LWIR), comprising a thin LWIR-transmitting plastic film having a maximum thickness of about 0.03" integrated with an open-mesh screen of thin filaments.
A LWIR-transmitting device comprising a housing having a composite window capable of transmitting a substantial percentage of infrared radiation having a wavelength within the range of 8 to 12 microns (LWIR), said window comprising a thin LWIR-transmitting plastic film having a maximum thickness of about 0.03" integrated with and reinforced by an open-mesh screen of thin filaments.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.