Thermomechanical device for measuring electromagnetic radiation
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A device for sensing thermal radiation emitted by an object, comprising:
- a substrate;
a plurality of movable layers configured to receive thermal radiation from the object and move relative to the substrate to a position in response to a change in received thermal radiation;
a sensor configured to produce a signal responsive to the position of the movable layer, the signal indicative of the thermal-radiation emitted by the object; and
a frame coupled to the substrate and the plurality of movable layers, wherein the frame is thermally isolated from the substrate and the plurality of movable layers.
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Abstract
Methods and devices are disclosed for sensing radiation emitted by an object. For example, one device includes a substrate and a movable layer coupled to the substrate. The movable layer is configured to receive radiation from the object and move relative to the substrate to a position in response to a change in temperature. The device also includes a sensor that is configured to produce a signal responsive to the position of the movable layer. The signal is indicative of the radiation emitted by the object.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A device for sensing thermal radiation emitted by an object, comprising:
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a substrate; a plurality of movable layers configured to receive thermal radiation from the object and move relative to the substrate to a position in response to a change in received thermal radiation; a sensor configured to produce a signal responsive to the position of the movable layer, the signal indicative of the thermal-radiation emitted by the object; and a frame coupled to the substrate and the plurality of movable layers, wherein the frame is thermally isolated from the substrate and the plurality of movable layers. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for sensing thermal radiation emitted by an object, the method comprising:
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receiving radiation on a substrate coupled to a frame by a hinge configured to isolate the frame from contraction and expansion in the substrate; receiving radiation from the object on a plurality of movable layers, the movable layers coupled to and thermally isolated from the frame; and producing a signal, by a sensor, responsive to a change in position of the movable layers relative to the substrate in response to a change in received thermal radiation, the signal indicative of the thermal radiation emitted by the object. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
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16. A device for sensing thermal radiation emitted by an object, comprising:
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first means for receiving radiation coupled to a third means by a fourth means configured to isolate the third means from contraction and expansion in the first means; second means for receiving radiation coupled to and thermally isolated from the third means; and means for producing a signal responsive to a change in position of the second means for receiving radiation relative to the first means for receiving radiation, the signal indicative of the thermal radiation emitted by the object.
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17. A device for sensing thermal radiation emitted by an object, comprising:
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a substrate; a movable layer configured to receive thermal radiation from the object; a plurality of beams each having a first end coupled to the substrate and a second end coupled to the movable layer, wherein each beam is configured to receive thermal energy from the moveable layer, deform in response to a change in received thermal energy, and thereby move the moveable layer relative to the substrate; and a sensor configured to produce a signal responsive to movement of the movable layer relative to the substrate, the signal indicative of the thermal radiation emitted by the object. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A method for sensing thermal radiation emitted by an object, the method comprising:
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receiving thermal energy on a beam coupled at a first end to a substrate and a second end to a moveable layer; deforming the beam in response to a change in received thermal energy; in response to deforming the beam, moving the moveable layer relative to the substrate; and producing a signal, by a sensor, responsive to movement of the movable layer relative to the substrate and indicative of thermal radiation emitted by the object.
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25. A device for sensing thermal radiation emitted by an object, comprising:
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a first means for receiving thermal energy, the first means coupled at a first end to a second means and at a second end to a third means, deforming in response to a change in received thermal energy, and in response to deforming, moving the third means relative to the second means; and a fourth means for producing a signal responsive to movement of the third means relative to the seconds means and indicative of thermal radiation emitted by the object.
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Specification