Pyroelectric Type Patents (Class 250/338.3)
  • Publication number: 20110168893
    Abstract: A dual-coplanar sensor architecture is constructed by launching from coaxial airline to a unique arrangement of coplanar waveguides, arranged symmetrically on both sides of a thin dielectric substrate. The center conductor of the coaxial airline makes electrical contact with the middle conductor of both the top and bottom coplanar waveguides. The characteristic impedance of the top and bottom coplanar waveguides is designed to be approximately twice the characteristic impedance of the coaxial airline, such that the parallel combination of the two coplanar waveguides is the characteristic impedance of the coaxial airline. Further, steps in both the ground planes and center conductor at the point of transition from coaxial to coplanar are used to tune the launch and minimize reflection at the launch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2011
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Applicant: TEGAM, INC.
    Inventors: John D. Swank, Jefferson D. Lexa, Andrew S. Brush
  • Publication number: 20110163232
    Abstract: A detection circuit includes a current mirror circuit, a pyroelectric element, a capacitor element and a charging circuit. The pyroelectric element is disposed between a first power supply node and a first node connected to the current mirror circuit. The capacitor element is disposed between the first power supply node and a second node connected to the current mirror circuit. The charging circuit is connected to the current mirror circuit to charge the pyroelectric element and the capacitor element though the current mirror circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2010
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Mitsuhiro YAMAMURA
  • Publication number: 20110155913
    Abstract: Disclosed is a temperature sensor using a work-function-difference-based radiant-ray detecting element that outputs, as a detecting signal of radiant rays, a work function difference between gate electrodes of first and second field-effect transistors sensing the radiant rays. The temperature sensor includes at least a pair of a first work-function-difference-based radiant-ray detecting element having a positive output temperature coefficient; and a second work-function-difference-based radiant-ray detecting element having a negative output temperature coefficient of which an absolute value is equal to an absolute value of the output temperature coefficient of the first work-function-difference-based radiant-ray detecting element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Applicant: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Hidetaka NOGUCHI, Hirofumi Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20110155911
    Abstract: An infrared detector (301) is provided which comprises a pyroelectric detector (303) having first and second sensing elements (345), an aperture stop (311), and a Fresnel lens array (305). The detector may be used as a passive infrared sensor unit for detecting intrusion into large openings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2007
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Inventor: Richard N. Claytor
  • Publication number: 20110155912
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for measuring the concentrations of organic and inorganic carbon, or of other materials, in aqueous samples are described, together with related, specially adapted components and sub-assemblies and related control, operational and monitoring systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2010
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Inventors: Gregory B. Conway, Michael R. Scaer, Paul Melanson, Gordon K. Francis, Pei Huang
  • Patent number: 7928388
    Abstract: In an infrared detection sensor according to the present invention, all material constituting an upper portion of a sensing electrode in a supporting arm region is removed so that a supporting arm has low thermal conductivity. As a result, thermal conductivity of the infrared sensor structure is reduced, and the infrared detection sensor has excellent sensitivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Seong Mok Cho, Ho Jun Ryu, Woo Seok Yang, Sang Hoon Cheon, Chang Auck Choi
  • Publication number: 20110057106
    Abstract: An infrared detector includes a pyroelectric element, a first amplifier, and a second amplifier. The pyroelectric element includes a first electrode formed on a first surface of a pyroelectric body, and a second electrode formed on the opposite surface. The first amplifier is connected to the first electrode, and amplifies signals induced to the first electrode. The second amplifier is connected to the second electrode, and amplifies signals induced to the second electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2010
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Inventors: Norio Kimura, Shigeo Masai, Yasuhiro Nakanosai
  • Publication number: 20110057107
    Abstract: A bolometric detector for detecting electromagnetic radiation comprising a receiving antenna intended for collecting electromagnetic radiation and thus ensuring electromagnetic coupling; a resistive load capacitively coupled to antenna and capable of converting the electromagnetic power collected into calorific power; and a thermometric element connected to resistive load and thermally isolated from a substrate that is capable of accommodating an electronic circuit that includes means of electrical excitation (stimulus) and pre-processing the electrical signals generated by said detector. The resistive load is suspended above receiving antenna by means of a single thermometric element which is itself electrically and mechanically linked to the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2010
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Applicant: Commissariat A L'Energie Atomique Et Aux Energies Alternatives
    Inventors: Patrick AGNESE, Agnès Arnaud
  • Publication number: 20110057105
    Abstract: A motion detection system for detecting the presence of a moving object within a detection zone. A first sensor responsive to light in a first range of wavelengths in the detection zone is provided to generate a first output signal indicative of a first detected parameter of the light in the first range. A second sensor responsive to light in a second range of wavelengths in the detection zone is provided to generate a second output signal indicative of a second detected parameter of the light in the second range. The second range of wavelengths is different from the first range of wavelengths and the second sensor is disposed approximately to the first sensor. A processing component is provided to generate a variable threshold value for the first sensor based upon the second output signal indicative of a second detected parameter of the light in the second range and compare the first output signal with the variable threshold value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Mark C. Buckley, David E. Merritt
  • Patent number: 7897921
    Abstract: A pyroelectric ceramic composition contains a compound represented by (Pb1?xCax)(1+a){(Ni1/3Nb2/3)yTi(1?y)}O3 (wherein x, y, and a satisfy 0.20?x?0.27, 0.01?y?0.06, and 0.001?a?0.02, respectively) as a main component and 0.3 to 2.5 mol of Mn per 100 mol of the main component. The amount of segregates containing Ni, Ti, and Mn is 1.0 vol % or less (including 0 vol %) of a fired sinter. A pyroelectric ceramic composition that has an adequately low insulation resistance and a high Curie temperature while achieving satisfactory pyroelectric properties is realized. Since the composition has a high Curie temperature, a thin, small pyroelectric element that withstands a reflow process can be obtained. Since the composition has a low insulation resistance, an infrared detector incorporating a pyroelectric element composed of the composition does not require a load resistance to be provided in parallel to the pyroelectric element and size reduction is possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsuhiro Horikawa, Koji Hayashi, Hideki Ishii
  • Publication number: 20110042569
    Abstract: In an infrared detection sensor according to the present invention, all material constituting an upper portion of a sensing electrode in a supporting arm region is removed so that a supporting arm has low thermal conductivity. As a result, thermal conductivity of the infrared sensor structure is reduced, and the infrared detection sensor has excellent sensitivity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2009
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Applicant: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Seong Mok CHO, Ho Jun Ryu, Woo Seok Yang, Sang Hoon Cheon, Chang Auck Choi
  • Publication number: 20110046916
    Abstract: A position sensitive pyrometer includes a sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Applicant: First Solar, Inc.
    Inventors: Ming Lun Yu, Markus E. Beck
  • Patent number: 7892495
    Abstract: A system for detecting a wide range of microbial organisms, including virus, and determining concentrations in near real-time to determine titer, without the requirement to grow micro-organisms includes an electrometer configured to measure photo-induced interfacial voltages and an electrode assembly with a substrate and at least one electrode on a surface of the substrate electrically coupled to the electrometer. An attachment factor is applied to an exposed surface of each electrode. The attachment factor is effective for interaction with the microbial organism. A transparent vessel for containing the electrolytic solution is provided. The microbial organism may be contained in the electrolytic solution or applied to the coated electrode before being submerged in the electrolytic solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Inventors: Jay S. Huebner, Doria F. Bowers, Erica N. Mejia
  • Patent number: 7847253
    Abstract: A detector incorporating a laser-doped element that is favorably absorbing to at least a portion of the electromagnetic spectrum, for example in the infra-red range, is used in a light detector article. Readout circuits permitting a detector to operate in a substantial range of the electromagnetic spectrum, including the visual and infra-red range, enable day and night imaging in some embodiments. Configurations for making the detectors are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: SiOnyx, Inc.
    Inventors: James E. Carey, Nathaniel J. McCaffrey, Martin U. Pralle
  • Patent number: 7847252
    Abstract: An infrared-detecting element includes: a substrate; a laminated body; an anchor coupling a part of the laminated body with the substrate and supporting the laminated body with a gap above the substrate; and an amplifier provided on the substrate and connected to at least one of the lower electrode and the upper electrode. The laminated body has a lower electrode, an upper electrode, and a piezoelectric film made of aluminum nitride which is provided between the lower electrode and the upper electrode and in which a c-axis is oriented almost perpendicularly to a film plane. The amplifier has a circuit performing conversion into voltage according to a charge generated in the laminated body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Takashi Kawakubo, Michihiko Nishigaki, Toshihiko Nagano, Yoshinori Iida, Ikuo Fujiwara, Hiroto Honda
  • Publication number: 20100294933
    Abstract: Disclosed is an IR measuring instrument (1) comprising a least one sensor element (29) which is sensitive to infrared radiation and generates an output signal (12) that depends on the radiation incident on the at least one sensor element (29). The output signal (12) for a predefined incident radiation can be varied by means of an integration time. The actual temperature prevailing on the at least one sensor element (29) is detected and is used for varying the integration time in such a way that the integration time compensates the influence of the temperature variations on the output signal (12) of the at least one sensor element (29).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Applicant: TESTO AG
    Inventors: Martin Stratmann, Karl Schuler, Andreas Messerschmid
  • Publication number: 20100276593
    Abstract: An infrared sensor manufacturing method according to this invention includes a step of forming a bridge structure of an insulating material on an Si substrate, a step of forming a vanadium oxide thin film on the bridge structure by a dry film forming method, a step of irradiating laser light onto the vanadium oxide thin film to thereby change material properties thereof, a step of forming the vanadium oxide thin film with the changed material properties into a bolometer resistor having a predetermined pattern, and a step of forming a protective layer of an insulating material so as to cover the bolometer resistor having the predetermined pattern and the bridge structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2010
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Applicants: NEC Corporation, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology
    Inventors: Tetsuo TSUCHIYA, Susumu MIZUTA, Yuriko MIZUTA, Toshiya KUMAGAI, Toshihito SASAKI, Seiji KURASHINA
  • Publication number: 20100264311
    Abstract: In a device for the detection of thermal radiation which and a method for production of such a device, a stack is formed with at least one detector support having at least one detector element for the conversion of the thermal radiation into an electric signal, at least one circuit support with at least one read-out circuit for reading out the electrical signal and at least one cover to shield the detector element, wherein the detector support and the cover are so arranged with respect to one another that a first stack cavity bounded by the detector support and the cover is provided between the detector element of the detector support and the cover and that the circuit support and the detector support are so arranged with respect to one another that at least one second stack cavity bounded by the circuit support and the detector support is provided between detector support and the circuit support and that the first hollow stack support and/or the second stack cavity is evacuated or can be evacuated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2008
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Inventors: Carsten Giebeler, Matthias Schreiter, Jörg Zapf
  • Patent number: 7807917
    Abstract: New thermoelectric materials and devices are disclosed for application to high efficiency thermoelectric power generation. New functional materials based on oxides, rare-earth-oxides, rare-earth-nitrides, rare-earth phosphides, copper-rare-earth oxides, silicon-rare-earth-oxides, germanium-rare-earth-oxides and bismuth rare-earth-oxides are disclosed. Addition of nitrogen and phosphorus are disclosed to optimize the oxide material properties for thermoelectric conversion efficiency. New devices based on bulk and multilayer thermoelectric materials are described. New devices based on bulk and multilayer thermoelectric materials using combinations of at least one of thermoelectric and pyroelectric and ferroelectric materials are described. Thermoelectric devices based on vertical pillar and planar architectures are disclosed. The advantage of the planar thermoelectric effect allows utility for large area applications and is scalable for large scale power generation plants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Translucent, Inc.
    Inventor: Petar B. Atanackovic
  • Publication number: 20100237246
    Abstract: An evaluation device for evaluating analog measuring signals of a detector, e.g., an IR detector, includes: an analog/digital converter device for digitally converting the analog measuring signal of the detector or an analog signal derived from the analog measuring signal into a digital measuring signal; a control device for receiving the digital measuring signal; and a subtraction device. The evaluation device receives a first analog measuring signal from a first measurement and stores the digital measuring signal formed from the first analog measuring signal, and also receives a second analog measuring signal from a second measurement. The subtraction device receives the analog measuring signal of the second measurement and an analog comparison signal formed as a function of the stored digital measuring signal of the first measurement, and forms a differential signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2010
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Inventors: Paul Koop, Helge Dittmer
  • Publication number: 20100219341
    Abstract: A power and energy (PE) meter includes a sensor head comprising a sensor which absorbs EM radiation that impinges on it, and a heat sink with which the sensor is in thermal contact. The heat sink includes a through-hole behind the sensor which allows at least some of the EM radiation which is not absorbed by the sensor to pass through the heat sink without being absorbed. A means of applying mechanical pressure is preferably employed to hold the sensor in thermal contact with the heat sink. A capture head and shroud may be mounted behind and physically separate from the sensor head, and arranged to absorb at least some of the radiation which is not absorbed by the sensor head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2009
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Inventors: JAMES D. PARSONS, Andrew D. Devey
  • Publication number: 20100181485
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the detection of an electromagnetic radiation including: a substrate; a resistive imaging bolometer; a circuit for polarizing the bolometer at a predetermined voltage; a rejection circuit generating a common mode current, comprising a compensation bolometer thermalized in the substrate and a polarization circuit thereof; and a measuring circuit for measuring the difference between the current flowing in the imaging bolometer when it is polarized and the common mode current generated by the rejection circuit. According to the invention, the rejection circuit further comprises a current generator capable of producing a current that simulates the current induced by the self-heating of the imaging bolometer under the effect of its polarization, the sum of the current passing through the compensation bolometer and the current generated by the current generator forming the common mode current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Applicant: ULIS
    Inventor: Olivier LEGRAS
  • Publication number: 20100176298
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for detecting electromagnetic radiation comprising: a resistive bolometer, a biasing circuit capable of biasing said bolometer with a predetermined bias voltage, a rejection module capable of generating a common mode current, a measuring circuit capable of being connected to a bolometer and a rejection module in order to measure the difference between the current flowing through the bolometer when it is biased and the common mode current generated by the rejection module. According to the invention, rejection module comprises: a module for estimating a current that flows through resistive bolometer when it is subjected to the bias voltage and made insensitive to the electromagnetic radiation; and a current generator which is controlled by the estimation module and generates the current estimated by the latter as a common mode current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2009
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Applicant: ULIS
    Inventor: Olivier LEGRAS
  • Patent number: 7750300
    Abstract: A thermo-optic system, which may be used for example in thermal imaging, includes an array of optical elements each having a thermally responsive optical property, the optical elements including signal elements and reference elements configured to provide (1) a common-mode response of the optical property to ambient temperature and (2) a differential-mode response of the optical property to a thermal signal appearing across the array of optical elements. The system also includes an optical readout subsystem configured to (1) illuminate the array of optical elements with optical energy at a readout wavelength corresponding to the optical property so as to generate a composite optical signal having common-mode and differential-mode signal components corresponding to the common-mode and differential-mode responses respectively of the signal and reference elements, and (2) filter the composite optical signal to generate a filtered optical signal being substantially the differential-mode image component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Redshift Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Matthias Wagner, Bruce M. Radl, Bruce A. Horwitz
  • Publication number: 20100141444
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for improved white light immunity for 1R motion sensors. The system comprises a first sensor responsive to light in a first range of wavelengths in the secure area, the first sensor generating a first output signal indicative of a first detected parameter of the light in the first range of wavelengths, a second sensor proximate to the first sensor, the second sensor being responsive to light in a second range of wavelengths in the secure area, and a logic unit for compensating the first output signal based in part upon a reference signal indicative of a second parameter of the light in the second range of wavelengths. The first sensor is a pyroelectric sensor and the second sensor is a visible light sensor. The second parameter comprises an intensity value of the light in the second range of wavelengths, wherein the reference signal is indicative of a differentiation of said intensity value with respect to time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2008
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Joe Patrick Brown, Armin Duft, Tobias Koenig
  • Publication number: 20100141765
    Abstract: An optical device for motor vehicles, designed to detect the condition of the road surface, comprises a unit for the emission of electromagnetic radiation in the direction of the road surface to be detected, a receiving unit coupled to an optical element for focusing the radiation back-diffused by the road surface and an electronic control and processing unit for receiving signals at output from said receiving unit and for processing them in order to determine the condition of the road surface, on the basis of a reference map. Appearing in said map are the values of the intensity of radiation Iref back-reflected at a reference wavelength and at least one second wavelength. The map is divided into subareas identified beforehand as corresponding to the different conditions of the road surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2009
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventors: Davide Capello, Nereo Pallaro, Luca Liotti, Luca Guglielmetto
  • Patent number: 7732770
    Abstract: Aspects described herein provide for the design and fabrication of a device with an enhanced pyroelectric response signal comprised of multi-capacitors that are connected in series. These capacitors are fabricated using multi-layers of materials such as lead zirconate titanate (PZT), BaxSr1-xTiO3 (barium strontium titanate) and Bi4Ti3O12 (bismuth titanate) films that exhibit pyroelectric affect and belong to the class of polar materials. By controlling the poling direction of the multi-layer integrated structure, the pyroelectric voltage can be aligned in one direction, and as a result, the voltage output from the single element is the total contribution from each capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the University of Alabama
    Inventors: Hui Han, Sushma Kotru, Raghvendra Kumar Pandey
  • Patent number: 7728297
    Abstract: There is provided an infrared array sensor, which is capable of positional specification and flow tracking of an object to be detected without performing image processing, and whose cost is low. An infrared array sensor 100 where pixels 101, each having a thermal infrared detector 102 whose electric properties change in accordance with incidence of infrared rays, are arrayed in two-dimensional matrix form, the infrared array sensor 100 including: a row output take-out means 103 configured so as to take out an electric signal to the outside as an output, the electric signal being in accordance with electric properties as a sum of electric properties respectively shown by the thermal infrared detectors 102 on each row; and a column output take-out means 104 configured so as to take out an electric signal to the outside as an output, the electric signal being in accordance with electric properties as a sum of electric properties respectively shown by the thermal infrared detectors 102 on each column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: The Ritsumeikan Trust
    Inventor: Kimata Masafumi
  • Publication number: 20100097013
    Abstract: The present invention disinfects countertop surfaces using high intensity ultraviolet energy causing photolysis. The light is directed to the working area of an office countertop or the countertop used in food preparation such as in a residential or commercial kitchen. A motion detector provides a mechanism for disabling the light should a pet or individual enter an area during the disinfection process. The device further includes a fluorescent lamp allowing dual functionality wherein the device can provide conventional countertop lighting or disinfection lighting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2009
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Inventor: Mathew Inskeep
  • Patent number: 7683323
    Abstract: An OFET on a pyroelectric or piezoelectric substrate, such as PVDF, can provide highly adaptable and manufacturable radiation or acoustic sensing. Local charge amplification can be provided, such to construct an array of sensing pixels, which can be configured in an active or passive matrix. A susceptor or guide element can be provided. Systems, devices, methods of making, and methods of using are among the examples described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York
    Inventor: Ioannis Kymissis
  • Publication number: 20100065743
    Abstract: The invention relates to the use of a material having a spinel ferrite/iron monoxide structure as a sensitive material in the form of a thin film for the bolometric detection of infrared radiation, the chemical composition of said structure, excluding doping agents that may be present, having empirical formula (I): (Fe1?zMz)xO, where x is strictly less than 1 and strictly greater than 0.75. The invention also relates to a bolometric device for infrared radiation detection and infrared imaging, comprising at least one sensor provided with a sensitive element in the form of a thin film as defined above.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2009
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Applicants: COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE, UNIVERSITE PAUL SABATIER TOULOUSE III, CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE
    Inventors: Philippe TAILHADES, Lionel PRESMANES, Corinne BONNINGUE, Bruno MAUVERNAY, Jean-Louis OUVRIER-BUFFET, Agnes ARNAUD, Wilfried RABAUD
  • Publication number: 20100044568
    Abstract: A pyroelectric ceramic composition contains a compound represented by (Pb1-xCax)(1+a){(Ni1/3Nb2/3)yTi(1-y)}O3 (wherein x, y, and a satisfy 0.20?x?0.27, 0.01?y?0.06, and 0.001?a?0.02, respectively) as a main component and 0.3 to 2.5 mol of Mn per 100 mol of the main component. The amount of segregates containing Ni, Ti, and Mn is 1.0 vol % or less (including 0 vol %) of a fired sinter. A pyroelectric ceramic composition that has an adequately low insulation resistance and a high Curie temperature while achieving satisfactory pyroelectric properties is realized. Since the composition has a high Curie temperature, a thin, small pyroelectric element that withstands a reflow process can be obtained. Since the composition has a low insulation resistance, an infrared detector incorporating a pyroelectric element composed of the composition does not require a load resistance to be provided in parallel to the pyroelectric element and size reduction is possible.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2008
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Applicant: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hideki Ishii, Katsuhiro Horikawa, Koji Hayashi
  • Patent number: 7635846
    Abstract: A motion detector device includes a lamp assembly, a junction box assembly with a cylindrically shaped holding arm, a rotation assembly incorporating a sensor seat, a pyro-sensor and circuitry, and a lens assembly. The lens assembly can assume a semi-spherical or cylindrical shape. The lens assembly is integrally formed by a plurality of multifaceted lenses with pre-determined focuses constituting pre-determined focusing views. Each focusing view is defined for a range/distance and angle of detection. The lens assembly can be rotated to select a specific focusing view. The sensor seat is disposed at the focus of the selected focusing view to receive infrared radiation rays. The entire or half or portion of the lens assembly carries lenses making up the pre-determined focusing views.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2009
    Assignee: IQ Group SDN BHD
    Inventors: Yung Chih Chi, Wen Chin Chen
  • Publication number: 20090309027
    Abstract: An RF electromagnetic radiation detector has a device that has a first terminal and a second terminal with a PN junction therebetween. The first terminal is connected to the P side of the PN junction and the second terminal is connected to the N side of the PN junction, with the device susceptible to a voltage being built across the PN junction in the presence of RF electromagnetic radiation. The detector is first reverse biased by connecting a first voltage to the first terminal and a second voltage, higher than the first voltage to the second terminal. Current is then measured from the second terminal, where the current measured is indicative of the presence of RF electromagnetic radiation. A temperature sensor has a load, that has a first terminal and a second terminal with the first terminal connectable to a first voltage. A capacitor has a third terminal and a fourth terminal with the third terminal connected to the second terminal and the fourth terminal connectable to a second voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2009
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Applicant: Aleph America
    Inventor: Mark Alan Von Striver
  • Patent number: 7633065
    Abstract: A conduction structure for infrared microbolometer sensors and a method for sensing electromagnetic radiation may be provided. The microbolometer may include a first conductor layer and a second conductor layer. The microbolometer further may include a bolometer layer between the first conductor layer and the second conductor layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignees: Sensormatic Electronics, LLC, University of Central Florida Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Ming-Ren Lian, Kevin R. Coffey
  • Publication number: 20090302220
    Abstract: A passive infrared sensor has two or more detector element arrays, each consisting of positive polarity and negative polarity elements. The signals from the arrays are both summed together and subtracted from each other, and if either the sum or difference signal exceeds a threshold, detection is indicated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2009
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Applicant: Suren Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Eric Scott Micko
  • Patent number: 7629581
    Abstract: A method of producing an infrared sensor includes the steps of preparing a base integrally provided with a first electrode, and a plurality of supporting portions made of a material with low thermal conductivity, on one of principal surfaces of the base, preparing a pyroelectric element which has a second electrode conductively connected to the first electrode on one of principal surfaces of the pyroelectric element, applying a predetermined amount of conductive paste on the first electrode so as to be higher than the supporting portions, and mounting the pyroelectric element on upper surfaces of the supporting portions so that the second electrode comes into contact with the conductive paste, and then curing the conductive paste.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Koji Hayashi
  • Publication number: 20090266986
    Abstract: A detector for detecting electromagnetic radiation includes a substrate and at least one microstructure including a radiation-sensitive membrane extending substantially opposite and away from the substrate. The membrane is mechanically attached to at least two longilinear, collinear retention elements, at least one of which is mechanically connected to the substrate by an intermediate post. The membrane is in electrical continuity with the substrate. At least two collinear legs are attached to each other at the level of their ends which are attached to the membrane by a mechanical connector which is substantially co-planar with the legs and membrane. The other end of at least one of the legs is integral with a rigid cross piece which is substantially co-planar with the legs and extends substantially at right angles relative to the main dimension of the legs. The cross piece is integral with the post which is integral with the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2009
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Applicant: ULIS
    Inventor: Michel VILAIN
  • Publication number: 20090242768
    Abstract: The thermal-type infrared solid-state imaging device comprises a infrared detector having at least a substrate provided with an integrated circuit for reading out a signal, a diaphragm for detecting a temperature change by absorbing infrared rays, and a support section for supporting the diaphragm above a surface of one side of the substrate with space in between, and includes an eaves section connected to a connection area provided in the vicinity of outer circumference of the diaphragm and covering at least components other than the diaphragm across a space and transmitting the heat generated by absorbing incident infrared rays to the diaphragm, wherein the eaves section has the thickness of a first region covering the components other than the diaphragm across a space thicker than the thicknesses of a second region contacting the connection area of the diaphragm and a third region rising upward in mid air from the diaphragm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Inventor: Shigeru TOHYAMA
  • Patent number: 7579595
    Abstract: A passive infrared sensor has two or more element arrays, each consisting of positive polarity and negative polarity elements. The signals from the arrays are both summed together and subtracted from each other, and if either the sum or difference signal exceeds a threshold, detection is indicated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: Suren Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Eric Scott Micko
  • Publication number: 20090206261
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for characterizing gas flow through features fabricated in a hollow part. A pressure regulated cooled gas is applied to an interior of the part to the features fabricated in the part. At the same time, a pressure regulated heated gas is applied to an exterior part skin; and the heated gas has a controlled temperature differential from the pressure regulated cooled gas applied to the part interior. An infrared signature of escaping gas and the surrounding part skin is analyzed by a classification method to identify acceptable and unacceptable fabricated features.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2009
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Applicant: Meyer Tool, Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas E. Key
  • Publication number: 20090200471
    Abstract: An infrared-detecting element includes: a substrate; a laminated body; an anchor coupling a part of the laminated body with the substrate and supporting the laminated body with a gap above the substrate; and an amplifier provided on the substrate and connected to at least one of the lower electrode and the upper electrode. The laminated body has a lower electrode, an upper electrode, and a piezoelectric film made of aluminum nitride which is provided between the lower electrode and the upper electrode and in which a c-axis is oriented almost perpendicularly to a film plane. The amplifier has a circuit performing conversion into voltage according to a charge generated in the laminated body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2008
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Takashi Kawakubo, Michihiko Nishigaki, Toshihiko Nagano, Yoshinori Iida, Ikuo Fujiwara, Hiroto Honda
  • Patent number: 7564021
    Abstract: A pyroelectric sensor for determines a charge output of a ferroelectric scene element of the sensor by measuring the hysteresis loop output of the scene element several times during a particular time frame for the same temperature. An external AC signal is applied to the ferroelectric scene element to cause the hysteresis loop output from the element to switch polarization. Charge integration circuitry is employed to measure the charge from the scene element. The ferroelectric of the scene element is made of strontium bismuth tantalate, or derivative thereof, disposed directly between top and bottom electrodes. The polarization of the reference element which is compared to and subtracted from the polarization of the scene element for each cycle. The polarization difference measured for each cycle over a set time period are summed by an integrating amplifier to produce a signal output voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph V. Mantese, Norman W. Schubring, Adolph L. Micheli, Carlos Paz De Araujo, Larry McMillan, Jolanta Celinska
  • Patent number: 7553077
    Abstract: Systems and methods for determining a temperature of a ferroelectric sensor are provided. The ferroelectric sensor has operational characteristics defined by a polarization versus voltage hysteresis loop. In one exemplary embodiment, the method includes applying a symmetrical periodic voltage waveform to the ferroelectric sensor so as to induce the ferroelectric sensor to traverse the polarization versus voltage hysteresis loop. The method further includes monitoring voltages across the ferroelectric sensor and polarization states of the ferroelectric sensor over a first time interval to determine a first zero field polarization state and a first coercive field voltage. The method further includes determining a first temperature value indicative of the temperature of the ferroelectric sensor based on the first coercive field voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Norman W. Schubring, Michael W. Putty, Joseph V. Mantese, Adolph L. Micheli
  • Publication number: 20090101821
    Abstract: There is provided an infrared array sensor, which is capable of positional specification and flow tracking of an object to be detected without performing image processing, and whose cost is low. An infrared array sensor 100 where pixels 101, each having a thermal infrared detector 102 whose electric properties change in accordance with incidence of infrared rays, are arrayed in two-dimensional matrix form, the infrared array sensor 100 including: a row output take-out means 103 configured so as to take out an electric signal to the outside as an output, the electric signal being in accordance with electric properties as a sum of electric properties respectively shown by the thermal infrared detectors 102 on each row; and a column output take-out means 104 configured so as to take out an electric signal to the outside as an output, the electric signal being in accordance with electric properties as a sum of electric properties respectively shown by the thermal infrared detectors 102 on each column.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2008
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Applicant: The Ritsumeikan Trust
    Inventor: Kimata Masafumi
  • Publication number: 20090095908
    Abstract: An apparatus for converting ambient infrared radiation into electricity including an array of patch resonators each including a metal material having a predetermined shape tuned to resonate within a predetermined frequency range, a micro-strip line network for interconnecting the resonators and guiding energy, a dielectric substrate, and a metal ground plane. A micro-structured array of interconnected patch resonators operable for converting ambient heat to electricity, cooling, controlling temperature and wireless communication.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Applicant: IMAGING SOURCE, LLC
    Inventor: Rolf Wilhelm Bollhorst
  • Publication number: 20090095907
    Abstract: Infrared radiation detection systems and methods of making the same are provided. In one embodiment, the radiation detection system comprises: a housing having an open end exposed to a radiation emitting object; a detector positioned in the housing, the detector comprising a radiation sensing material for detecting infrared radiation, the radiation sensing material having a portion removed by etching or coated by a mask such that only a region of the radiation sensing material is capable of detecting the infrared radiation; and a lens positioned in the housing for transmitting infrared radiation from the object to the detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2007
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Applicant: GE GLOBAL RESEARCH
    Inventors: Kevin George Harding, Mark Joseph Bartonek, Brandi Elizabeth Wood, Pingfan Peter Wu
  • Publication number: 20090084957
    Abstract: A motion detector device includes a lamp assembly, a junction box assembly with a cylindrically shaped holding arm, a rotation assembly incorporating a sensor seat, a pyro-sensor and circuitry, and a lens assembly. The lens assembly can assume a semi-spherical or cylindrical shape. The lens assembly is integrally formed by a plurality of multifaceted lenses with pre-determined focuses constituting pre-determined focusing views. Each focusing view is defined for a range/distance and angle of detection. The lens assembly can be rotated to select a specific focusing view. The sensor seat is disposed at the focus of the selected focusing view to receive infrared radiation rays. The entire or half or portion of the lens assembly carries lenses making up the pre-determined focusing views.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2008
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Applicant: IQ Group SDN BHD
    Inventors: Yung Chih Chi, Wen Chin Chen
  • Publication number: 20090072143
    Abstract: There is provided a pyroelectric infrared sensor being capable of changing its shape and having high sensitivity. The sensor comprises the substrate 11 made of a polymer material such as polyimide or polyethylene terephthalate and having flexibility, the layer 13 comprising vinylidene fluoride (VDF), and the flexible electrodes 12 and 14 comprising an Al-deposited film and provided on and under the VDF oligomer layer 13. The pyroelectric infrared sensor of the present invention has flexibility as a whole due to flexibility of each component elements and can be formed into desired shapes. In addition, since a substrate made of a polymer material has heat capacity and heat conductivity lower than those of Si substrates used on conventional pyroelectric infrared sensors, sensitivity of the sensor can be increased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2007
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Applicant: Daikin Industries, Ltd
    Inventors: Kenji Ishida, Shuichiro Kuwajima, Kazumi Matsushige, Toshihisa Horiuchi, Arifumi Matsumoto, Tetsuhiro Kodani, Meiten Koh
  • Publication number: 20090050808
    Abstract: An infrared sensor includes a first substrate made of a thermoelectric conversion material and a second substrate. The first substrate is supported by posts made of an electrode material while being spaced apart from the second substrate. A sensing electrode and lead portions connected thereto are provided on the first substrate. The sensing electrode and the lead portions are covered with an infrared-absorbing film. The posts are connected to the lead portions, and external terminal connection electrodes are connected to the posts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2008
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Applicant: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshimitsu USHIMI, Naoko AIZAWA, Hiroyuki FUJINO, Hajime YAMADA