Non-circular continuous variable aperture or shutter for infrared cameras
US8164813B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 31, 2007 |
| Grant date | Apr 24, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 21, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG03B9/36
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
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.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.