Abstract: An infrared video camera system having a plurality of interchangeable imaging lens units and optical filter units. Identifying information, used to modify the operation of the camera system based on the specific imaging lens unit and optical filter unit attached thereto, is stored in an Electrically Programmable Read Only Memory (EPROM) located in each imaging lens unit and optical filter unit.

Abstract: A method for forming a mating piston and cylinder sleeve wherein the piston includes an outer diameter and a cylinder sleeve includes a bore for receiving the piston therein and wherein the piston outer diameter and the bore each form bearing surfaces having a gas film maintained in a gap therebetween. The method includes the steps of coating the piston outer diameter with a layer of PTFE based composite material and then diamond turning the piston outer diameter to a final piston diameter. The cylinder wall is also coated with a PTFE based composite layer which may be deposited by an electroless nickel plating process. The cylinder longitudinal bore is then diamond turned to a cylinder final diameter for mating with the piston final diameter.

Abstract: An infrared video camera system comprises an uncooled infrared sensor mounted and a thermally conductive thin walled radiation shield for shielding radiation from reaching an active surface of the uncooled infrared sensor. A TEC maintains the sensor active surface and the radiation shield at a substantially constant temperature. The uncooled infrared sensor and radiation shield are further housed in a hollow thermally conductive vacuum cover which is vacuum sealed with a base assembly and includes a vacuum sealed infrared transparent window in an aperture at a top end of the vacuum cover for allowing infrared radiation to reach the active surface and for forming a vacuum chamber enclosing the infrared sensor and radiation shield. A relay optical cell mounted to a camera body comprises at least one optical element for relaying an image formed at its entrance onto the active surface.

Abstract: An improved integral cryogenic refrigerator, or cryocooler, for cooling an electronic device to cryogenic temperature includes a regenerator sleeve having a cylindrical base portion and an integrally formed cold well tube. The cold well tube includes a thin outer wall and a longitudinal bore passing therethrough for providing an expansion cylinder for receiving a pressurized refrigeration gas therein. An outer surface of the thin outer wall of the cold well tube has an outer diameter substantially centered with respect to the longitudinal bore thereby providing a circular cross-section to the thin outer wall. At least one facet is formed onto the outer diameter by removing material from the outer diameter to reduce the thickness of the thin outer wall in the region of the facet thereby reducing the cross-sectional area of the outer wall.