Abstract: A dual band infrared imaging system self-contained to fit within a small spacecraft is provided. The imaging system uses a detector array cooled by a mini cryocooler, and includes telescope optics and two bandpass filters for fire detection and thermal and evapotranspiration Earth science.

Abstract: A dual band infrared imaging system self-contained to fit within a small spacecraft is provided. The imaging system uses a detector array cooled by a mini cryocooler, and includes telescope optics and two bandpass filters for fire detection and thermal and evapotranspiration Earth science.

Abstract: A house siding solar panel for the efficient conversion of solar radiation into usable heat energy, which includes an aesthetically pleasing housing having forwardly beveled side edges so that the panels may be mounted directly to the side of the house much like conventional siding, and present an aesthetically pleasing apearance. The front wall of the housing is a prismatic lens which serves to direct diffuse solar radiation perpendicularly rearward to a highly heat-absorbent and conductive selective surface plate positioned parallel to the lens. Unheated air from the room to be heated is introduced into an air channel behind this plate. The air channel extends substantially over the rear surface of the plate and allows the unheated air to conductively obtain heat energy from the plate, which causes said air to convectively rise to a heated air outlet, wherein the heated air can be transported for the heating of the interior of the house.

Abstract: A diode laser mounted within a helium refrigerator is mounted using a braided copper ground strap which provides good impact shock isolation from the refrigerator cold-tip while also providing a good thermal link to the cold-tip. The diode mount also contains a rigid stand-off assembly consisting of alternate sections of nylon and copper which serve as cold stations to improve thermal isolation from the vacuum housing mounting structure. Included in the mount is a Pb-In alloy wafer inserted between the cold-tip and the diode to damp temperature fluctuations occurring at the cold-tip.

Abstract: The wave length of an infrared, semiconductor laser diode having an output frequency that is dependent on the diode temperature is maintained substantially constant by maintaining the diode temperature constant. The diode is carried by a cold tip of a closed cycle helium refrigerator. The refrigerator has a tendency to cause the temperature of the cold tip to oscillate. A heater diode and a sensor diode are placed on a thermal heat sink that is the only highly conductive thermal path between the laser diode and the cold tip. The heat sink has a small volume and low thermal capacitance so that the sensing diode is at substantially the same temperature as the heater diode and substantially no thermal lag exists between them. The sensor diode is connected in a negative feedback circuit with the heater diode so that the tendency of the laser diode to thermally oscillate is virtually eliminated.