Abstract: True color images are produced by combining data collected from one or more color cameras with data collected from one or more infrared cameras. The produced images are the result of combining portions of the visible light data with portions of the infrared light data that may have been captured at dark, at daytime or at low light level conditions. These images appear as normal color images, with infrared information highlighted in a non-distracting fashion. The true color images that are produced in this fashion can also facilitate identification and reproduction of various objects that may not be visible or readily identifiable in infrared or false color imagery.

Abstract: A thermal infrared camera may be used under a wide variety of target-scene radiation conditions, with interchangeable or zoom lenses requiring matching or different size cold stops. A variable aperture assembly of a thermal infrared camera integrates a rigid open truss-like framework that's capped by an aperture ring and bottomed by a driving ring, and a radiation shield, located inside the framework, that contains an aperture ring at an upper side. A plurality of blades that collectively define an aperture positioned between the upper aperture rings. Opposite blade ends are coupled to respective ones of the two aperture rings, permitting pivotal movement in one ring and radial movement in the other ring, when the rings are rotated relative to one another, to change the size of the formed aperture. Both refractive and reflective infrared telescopes may be retro-fitted with variable aperture devices to enhance infrared imaging performance.

Abstract: A multispectral thermal infrared camera system is disclosed. An uncooled thermal imaging camera is equipped with an axially tilted, cooled spectral filter. The axially tilted, cooled spectral filter deflects the radiation emitted by the uncooled camera away from being reflected back into the camera. The axially tilted, cooled spectral filter emits a lesser amount of thermal radiation towards the camera. And the axially tilted, cooled tilted filter is enclosed in a cold radiation shield to minimize the thermal emission that would be reflected by the filter towards the camera and to absorb the radiation deflected by the tilted filter. The axially tilted, cooled spectral filter passes only the desired portion of the thermal infrared radiation from the scene onto the uncooled camera.

Abstract: A continuous variable non-circular aperture for an infra-red camera is formed by a plurality of positionable metal blades arranged to define there between an aperture of non-circular shape. A rotatable actuator plate positions the blades. Actuator rotation in one direction moves the metal blades to increase the size of the non-circular aperture without changing the non-circular shape of the aperture and vice-versa when the actuator plate is rotated in the opposite direction also maintaining the non-circular aperture shape. A preferred non-circular shape for a continuous variable aperture now possible is a rectangle; another is configured as a racetrack.

Abstract: A continuous variable non-circular aperture for an infra-red camera is formed by a plurality of positionable metal blades arranged to define there between an aperture of non-circular shape. A rotatable actuator plate positions the blades. Actuator rotation in one direction moves the metal blades to increase the size of the non-circular aperture without changing the non-circular shape of the aperture and vice-versa when the actuator plate is rotated in the opposite direction also maintaining the non-circular aperture shape. A preferred non-circular shape for a continuous variable aperture now possible is a rectangle; another is configured as a racetrack.

Abstract: A variable aperture assembly for an infrared camera for use with optics having two or more f-numbers. The variable aperture assembly includes a variable iris disposed substantially along an axis of the infrared camera and is thermally connected to a cooling assembly. The variable iris is capable of causing an infrared radiation admitting opening to vary in size. The infrared radiation admitting openings of the variable aperture assembly can be circular or non-circular, including generally rectangular or racetrack shaped openings. The variable aperture assembly provides f-number matching by adjusting the infrared radiation admitting opening to the size necessary to effectively match the numerous f-numbers of the optics, or by adjusting to a size so that a fixed aperture on the radiation shield becomes the effective aperture stop, providing the f-number matching.

Abstract: A variable aperture assembly for an infrared camera for use with optics having two or more f-numbers. The variable aperture assembly includes a variable iris disposed substantially along an axis of the infrared camera and is thermally connected to a cooling assembly. The variable iris is capable of causing an infrared radiation admitting opening to vary in size. The infrared radiation admitting openings of the variable aperture assembly can be circular or non-circular, including generally rectangular or racetrack shaped openings. The variable aperture assembly provides f-number matching by adjusting the infrared radiation admitting opening to the size necessary to effectively match the numerous f-numbers of the optics, or by adjusting to a size so that a fixed aperture on the radiation shield becomes the effective aperture stop, providing the f-number matching.

Abstract: A multispectral thermal infrared camera system is disclosed. An uncooled thermal imaging camera is equipped with an axially tilted, cooled spectral filter. The axially tilted, cooled spectral filter deflects the radiation emitted by the uncooled camera away from being reflected back into the camera. The axially tilted, cooled spectral filter emits a lesser amount of thermal radiation towards the camera. And the axially tilted, cooled tilted filter is enclosed in a cold radiation shield to minimize the thermal emission that would be reflected by the filter towards the camera and to absorb the radiation deflected by the tilted filter. The axially tilted, cooled spectral filter passes only the desired portion of the thermal infrared radiation from the scene onto the uncooled camera.

Abstract: An external optical relay assembly to allow an infrared camera with a fixed aperture to be used with a variety of fore optics, including refractive compound lenses, reflective telescopes, and reflective/refractive lenses, by providing an external, cooled aperture, that can be adjusted to provide effective f-number matching to the fore optic, allowing any f-number fore optic to be used with the infrared camera. This allows users of large families of similar telescopes, for example, to use their inventory of infrared Ritchie-Chrétien telescopes with a single infrared camera, regardless of f-numbers.

Abstract: An external optical relay assembly to allow an infrared camera with a fixed aperture to be used with a variety of fore optics, including refractive compound lenses, reflective telescopes, and reflective/refractive lenses, by providing an external, cooled aperture, that can be adjusted to provide effective f-number matching to the fore optic, allowing any f-number fore optic to be used with the infrared camera. This allows users of large families of similar telescopes, for example, to use their inventory of infrared Ritchie-Chrétien telescopes with a single infrared camera, regardless of f-numbers.

Abstract: A line of sight stabilization system using two mirrors pivotally mounted to a fixed platform that can be used with existing imaging systems to provide pitch, roll, and yaw compensation while maintaining image orientation. By deflecting only the photons, the inventive system avoids the need to stabilize the entire imaging sensor and optics system. The only mass to move is that of the two imaging system mirrors. By monitoring attitude changes via an inertial measurement system, proceeding platform positions can be estimated for subsequent image acquisitions, and efficient mirror positioning can provide optimal image orientation and stabilization. This approach requires small motors with low torque, providing a less expensive, lightweight, and small image orientation and stabilization system.

Abstract: A thermal infrared camera may be used under a wide variety of target-scene radiation conditions, with interchangeable or zoom lenses requiring matching or different size cold stops. A variable aperture assembly of a thermal infrared camera integrates a rigid open truss-like framework that's capped by an aperture ring and bottomed by a driving ring, and a radiation shield, located inside the framework, that contains an aperture ring at an upper side. A plurality of blades that collectively define an aperture positioned between the upper aperture rings. Opposite blade ends are coupled to respective ones of the two aperture rings, permitting pivotal movement in one ring and radial movement in the other ring, when the rings are rotated relative to one another, to change the size of the formed aperture. Both refractive and reflective infrared telescopes may be retro-fitted with variable aperture devices to enhance infrared imaging performance.

Abstract: A continuously variable diaphragm or swappable fixed aperture for use in thermal infrared cameras, which aperture or diaphragm can be cooled to cryogenic temperatures. The invention contemplates mounting aperture control means, if necessary, in a vacuum or extending the control mechanism through a vacuum in a thermally isolated manner to avoid radiation load on the photocell. The inventive method implements such a diaphragm and control system. The invention makes possible the object of using a single thermal infrared camera under a wide variety of target-scene radiation conditions that may be rapidly changing, with interchangeable or zoom camera lenses requiring matching or different size cold stops, and under other such dynamic situations.

Abstract: A thermal infrared camera may be used under a wide variety of target-scene radiation conditions, with interchangeable or zoom lenses requiring matching or different size cold stops. A variable aperture assembly of a thermal infrared camera integrates a rigid open truss-like framework that's capped by an aperture ring and bottomed by a driving ring, and a radiation shield, located inside the framework, that contains an aperture ring at an upper side. A plurality of blades that collectively define an aperture positioned between the upper aperture rings. Opposite blade ends are coupled to respective ones of the two aperture rings, permitting pivotal movement in one ring and radial movement in the other ring, when the rings are rotated relative to one another, to change the size of the formed aperture. Both refractive and reflective infrared telescopes may be retrofitted with variable aperture devices to enhance infrared imaging performance.

Abstract: A line of sight stabilization system using two mirrors pivotally mounted to a fixed platform that can be used with existing imaging systems to provide pitch, roll, and yaw compensation while maintaining image orientation. By deflecting only the photons, the inventive system avoids the need to stabilize the entire imaging sensor and optics system. The only mass to move is that of the two imaging system mirrors. By monitoring attitude changes via an inertial measurement system, proceeding platform positions can be estimated for subsequent image acquisitions, and efficient mirror positioning can provide optimal image orientation and stabilization. This approach requires small motors with low torque, providing a less expensive, lightweight, and small image orientation and stabilization system.

Abstract: The inventive method and apparatus relate to fiber optic ribbon cable capable of being bent and curved through a very small bend radius. The method involves an improvement to the direct-melt ribbon-cable manufacturing process, creating ribbon cables with adhered ends, and un-adhered fiber centers. Such ribbon cable overcomes typical sideways bend radius limitations. This ribbon cable is a second aspect of the invention. A reformatter is further contemplated by this invention, wherein at least two of the inventive ribbon cables are arranged to form a rectangular array of optical fibers at one end and a linear array at the other, provding a compact optical fiber reformattor for use in space limited locations.

Abstract: A continuously variable diaphragm or swappable fixed aperture for use in thermal infrared cameras, which aperture or diaphragm can be cooled to cryogenic temperatures. The invention contemplates mounting aperture control means, if necessary, in a vacuum or extending the control mechanism through a vacuum in a thermally isolated manner to avoid radiation load on the photocell. The inventive method implements such a diaphragm and control system. The invention makes possible the object of using a single thermal infrared camera under a wide variety of target-scene radiation conditions that may be rapidly changing, with interchangeable or zoom camera lenses requiring matching or different size cold stops, and under other such dynamic situations.

Abstract: An apparatus for inflating a vehicle occupant restraint includes containing means for receiving gases to provide a combustible mixture of the gases. An igniter is activated to effect ignition of the mixture of gases in response to sudden vehicle deceleration. A directing means directs a flow of gas from the containing means into the inflatable occupant restraint. In the preferred embodiment the gases are an inert gas, a fuel gas, and an oxidizer gas. Also, a lean mixture of a fuel gas and oxidizer gas could be used. An improved igniter transmits energy through an imperforate portion of a wall of the containing means to ignite a charge in the containing means. The igniter may include an elongate core disposed in a frangible sheath which is shattered as the core is burned.

Abstract: A spectrometer apparatus uses a spectrum resolving sensor containing an opto-electronic monolithic array of photosensitive elements, each preferably sub-millimeter in size and pitch, and a continuous variable optical filter, that is permanently aligned with the array. Polychromatic light passing through the variable filter is spectrally resolved in accordance with the local filter transmission function, and is incident upon the photosensitive elements in the array. The electrical output of each element in the array is thence a function of the local transmission function of the variable filter and the output of all the elements provides the spectral contents of the polychromatic light. High spectral resolving power is obtained by subtraction of the output signal of adjacent elements in the array.

Abstract: An apparatus for inflating a vehicle occupant restraint includes containing means for receiving gases to provide a combustible mixture of the gases. An igniter is activated to effect ignition of the mixture of gases in response to sudden vehicle deceleration. A directing means directs a flow of gas from containing means into the inflatable occupant restraint. In the preferred embodiment the gases are an inert gas, a fuel gas, and an oxidizer gas. Also, a lean mixture of a fuel gas and oxidizer gas could be used. An improved igniter transmits energy through an imperforate portion of a wall of the containing means to ignite a charge in the containing means. The igniter may include an elongate core disposed in a frangible sheath which is shattered as the core is burned.