Patents Assigned to FLIR System, Inc.
  • Infrared transmissive dome systems and methods
    Patent number: 9001212
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed that provide an infrared-transmissive dome, such as for infrared imaging applications. For example, an infrared-transmissive dome, for an embodiment, includes a main body providing a hollow, hemispherical-shaped dome; wherein the main body is made of an ultra-high molecular weight or a very-high molecular weight polyethylene material; and wherein the main body has a wall thickness equal to or less than approximately 0.012 inches to allow infrared transmittance greater than approximately sixty five percent through the main body for infrared imaging in a wavelength range of approximately three to fourteen micrometers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: FLIR Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Theodore R. Hoelter, Barbara Sharp, Warn Burt, Robert Pietsch, Marcel Tremblay
  • High-efficiency-direct-drive cryocooler driver
    Patent number: 8970158
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a cryocooler drive circuit for a cryocooler motor is provided that includes: a first switching power converter configured to track a first sinusoidal input voltage signal to provide a first sinusoidal output voltage signal at a first output node; and a second switching power converter configured to track a second sinusoidal input voltage signal to provide a second sinusoidal output voltage signal at a second output node, wherein the second sinusoidal input voltage signal is an inverted version of the first sinusoidal input voltage signal such that the cryocooler motor is driven by an alternating current flowing between the first and second output nodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: FLIR Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Louis David Chowning
  • Miniaturized gas refrigeration device with two or more thermal regenerator sections
    Patent number: 8959929
    Abstract: The size of a miniature cryocooler (100) operating on the Stirling refrigeration cycle is further reduced by shortening a first thermal regenerator module (R) disposed on a cold side of a thermal barrier (T) and providing a second thermal regenerator module (R1) disposed on a warm side of the thermal barrier (T). A thermally insulated fluid flow passage (172) is disposed to interconnect the first and second regenerator modules to thermally insulate the fluid passage (172). In combination, the first and second regenerator modules provide 100% thermal regenerator effectiveness in the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: FLIR Systems Inc.
    Inventor: Uri Bin Nun
  • Unit cells with avalanche photodiode detectors
    Patent number: 8946640
    Abstract: Various techniques are disclosed for providing reference signals to image detectors in accordance with one or more embodiments of the invention. For example, in one or more embodiments, switched capacitors may be used to provide bias voltages to individual unit cells of a focal plane array such that the bias voltages are held by the unit cells over one or more integration periods while the unit cells are decoupled from an input line. As a result, the bias voltages may be free from noise incident on the input line and thus may more accurately bias the individual unit cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: FLIR Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: James T. Woolaway, John D. Schlesselmann
  • Kits for segregating target nucleic acid from mixed nucleic acid samples
    Patent number: 8940296
    Abstract: The invention provides methods, compositions and kits for segregating a target nucleic acid from a mixed nucleic acid sample. The methods, compositions and kits comprise a non-processive endonuclease (e.g., a restriction enzyme) or an antibody that binds the target nucleic acid (e.g., has methylation specificity). The mixed nucleic acid sample can comprise prokaryotic and eukaryotic nucleic acid and/or nucleic acid from more than one prokaryotic or eukaryotic organisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Flir Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Roger Allyn Forsyth
  • Methods and compositions for segregating target nucleic acid from mixed nucleic acid samples
    Patent number: 8927218
    Abstract: The invention provides methods, compositions and kits for segregating a target nucleic acid from a mixed nucleic acid sample. The methods, compositions and kits comprise a non-processive endonuclease (e.g., a restriction enzyme) or an antibody that binds the target nucleic acid (e.g., has methylation specificity). The mixed nucleic acid sample can comprise prokaryotic and eukaryotic nucleic acid and/or nucleic acid from more than one prokaryotic or eukaryotic organisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Flir Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Roger Allyn Forsyth
  • Expander for stirling engines and cryogenic coolers
    Patent number: 8910486
    Abstract: The invention is directed to an improved cryogenic cooler with an expander where the regenerator matrix is decoupled from the displacer or piston, thereby allowing the design of each to be optimized substantially independently. The regenerator matrix is preferably positioned spaced apart from the displacer and can be designed to enhance thermal exchanges and flow rates of the working gas. In one embodiment, the regenerator matrix has a serpentine shape or U-shape disposed around the displacer and the cold finger. Preferably, the regenerator matrix is static. The thermal lengths of the cold finger and/or the displacer can be extended by minimizing their geometrical lengths. Additionally, the structural integrity or stiffness of the cold finger and/or displacer can be strengthened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: FLIR Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Uri Bin-Nun, Jose Pascual Sanchez, Xiaoyuan Lei, Usha Virk
  • Gradient injection for biosensing
    Patent number: 8906672
    Abstract: A single injection gradient with a biosensor, both structural and methodological, achieves the binding of analyte to immobilized ligand over a wide concentration range without the necessity of regeneration of the sensing area. A gradient of concentrations adjacent to or within a flow cell facilitates kinetic analysis of interactions without requiring multiple discrete volumes or injections to achieve a range of concentrations. A continuous gradient fluid is preferably formed directly adjacent to the flow cell inlet or a region of sample/buffer dispersion at an injection point into a flow channel of a flow cell. The analyte gradient may be flowed through the flow cell from a low analyte concentration. Multiple component gradients are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Flir Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: John Gerard Quinn
  • Infrared camera with infrared-transmissive dome systems and methods
    Patent number: 8905311
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed that provide an infrared-transmissive dome, such as for infrared imaging applications. For example, an infrared camera system includes a housing having a lens coupled to the housing and an infrared detector within the housing configured to receive infrared energy passing through the lens. An infrared-transmissive dome, coupled to the infrared camera system, includes a main body providing a hollow, hemispherical-shaped dome, with the main body made of an ultra-high molecular weight or a very-high molecular weight polyethylene material. The main body may have a wall thickness equal to or less than approximately 0.012 inches to allow infrared transmittance greater than approximately sixty five percent through the main body to the lens for infrared imaging in a wavelength range of approximately three to fourteen micrometers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: FLIR Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Theodore R. Hoelter, Barbara Sharp, Warn Burt, Robert Pietsch, Marcel Tremblay, Earl R. Lewis
  • MODULAR INFRARED CAMERA SYSTEMS AND METHODS
    Publication number: 20140313343
    Abstract: Modular infrared imaging systems and methods disclosed herein, in accordance with one or more embodiments, provide for capturing an infrared image, sensing a mode of operation, processing the captured infrared image according to the sensed mode of operation, generating a processed infrared image based on the sensed mode of operation, and displaying the processed infrared image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2013
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: FLIR Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Frank, Yves Chappez, Mary L. Deal, Patrick B. Richardson, Austin A. Richards, Nicholas Högasten, James T. Woolaway
  • Ballistic sight system
    Patent number: 8857714
    Abstract: A system can include a camera configured to mount to a firearm and a scope configured to mount to the firearm. A display can be configured to show an image from the camera. The scope can be configured to view the display. The image from the camera can be electronically movable relative to scope and camera to facilitate compensation for bullet drop and windage. Moving the image can allow use of higher scope magnification and/or electronic camera zoom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: FLIR Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert G. Benson
  • Boresight alignment station
    Patent number: 8860800
    Abstract: A boresight alignment system facilitates aligning a plurality of cameras and/or images of the cameras with respect to one another. The system may have a mount configured to facilitate attachment of a bezel containing a plurality of cameras to the mount. The system may have a plurality of targets and each target may be configured to provide light of at least two different wavelengths and/or ranges of wavelengths. One or more baffles may be disposed optically between the mount and the target assembly to inhibit stray light from being incident upon the cameras.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: FLIR Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Marco A. Scussat, Richard M. Goeden, Jeffrey S. Scott, Richard G. Lane, Gary B. Hughes
  • Gimbal system with linear mount
    Patent number: 8844896
    Abstract: Gimbal system, including method and apparatus, for mounting a gimbal apparatus to a support platform with a mount assembly. The mount assembly may include first and second bar assemblies that are rotationally coupled to each other by a pair of gears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: FLIR Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel Pettersson
  • WIDEBAND SONAR RECEIVER AND SONAR SIGNAL PROCESSING ALGORITHMS
    Publication number: 20140286131
    Abstract: A wideband sonar receiver is provided that includes: a selectable bandpass filter adapted to filter a received sonar signal to produce a filtered signal and a correlator adapted to correlate the baseband samples with baseband replica samples to provide a correlated signal. In addition, the wideband sonar receiver may include a shaping filter to shape unshaped received pulses. Finally, a variety of sonar processing algorithms are described with regard to reducing clutter and interference, target detection, and bottom detection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: FLIR Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Stokes, Phil Webb
  • INFRARED CAMERA ARCHITECTURE SYSTEMS AND METHODS
    Publication number: 20140267766
    Abstract: An infrared camera architecture includes, for an embodiment, an infrared detector, a substrate, a plurality of electrical components coupled to the substrate, and a pedestal made of a thermally conductive material and having a leg coupled to the substrate. The infrared detector is supported by and thermally coupled to the pedestal, with the pedestal thermally isolating the infrared detector from the plurality of electrical components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: FLIR Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Pierre Boulanger, Marcel Tremblay, Jim Goodland, Barbara Sharp, Farhad Mirbod, Theodore R. Hoelter
  • MULTI-WAVELENGTH VCSEL ARRAY TO REDUCE SPECKLE
    Publication number: 20140269796
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention describe an illuminator having a light source to originate an illumination beam, wherein the light source further comprises a set of vertical-cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSELs), including a first VCSEL having a first laser emission wavelength, and a second VCSEL having a second laser emission wavelength different than the first laser emission wavelength. Thus, by varying laser emission wavelengths of VCSELs in a VCSEL array, embodiments of the invention produce low-contrast speckle, and do not limit the imaging capabilities of the host illumination system. In some embodiments of the invention, vertical external cavity surface emitting lasers (VECSELs) are utilized to produce the above described varying laser emission wavelengths.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: FLIR Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Geske, Chad Wang, Elliot Burke
  • Sensor housing
    Patent number: D715661
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: FLIR Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen V. McKaughan, Nicholas J. Lagadinos
  • Sensor housing
    Patent number: D715662
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: FLIR Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Chris Aicher, Nathan Stauffer, James Weaver, Adam Espersen
  • Camera
    Patent number: D722635
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: FLIR Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick B. Richardson, Marcel Tremblay, Jace Dispenza
  • Sensor housing
    Patent number: D723395
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: FLIR Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jace Dispenza, Michael Kent, Patrick B. Richardson, Zhenmei Mao