INFRARED TRANSMISSIVE DOME SYSTEMS AND METHODS
First Claim
1. An infrared-transmissive dome, comprising:
- a main body providing a hollow, hemispherical-shaped dome;
wherein the main body is made of an ultra-high molecular weight or a very-high molecular weight polyethylene material; and
wherein the main body has a wall thickness equal to or less than approximately 0.012 inches to allow infrared transmittance greater than approximately sixty five percent through the main body for infrared imaging in a wavelength range of approximately three to fourteen micrometers.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods are disclosed that provide an infrared-transmissive dome, such as for infrared imaging applications. For example, an infrared-transmissive dome, for an embodiment, includes a main body providing a hollow, hemispherical-shaped dome; wherein the main body is made of an ultra-high molecular weight or a very-high molecular weight polyethylene material; and wherein the main body has a wall thickness equal to or less than approximately 0.012 inches to allow infrared transmittance greater than approximately sixty five percent through the main body for infrared imaging in a wavelength range of approximately three to fourteen micrometers.
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Citations
34 Claims
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1. An infrared-transmissive dome, comprising:
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a main body providing a hollow, hemispherical-shaped dome; wherein the main body is made of an ultra-high molecular weight or a very-high molecular weight polyethylene material; and wherein the main body has a wall thickness equal to or less than approximately 0.012 inches to allow infrared transmittance greater than approximately sixty five percent through the main body for infrared imaging in a wavelength range of approximately three to fourteen micrometers. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A compression mold for an infrared-transmissive dome, the compression mold comprising:
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a first mold portion having a convex portion;
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18. A method of forming an infrared-transmissive dome, the method comprising:
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providing an ultra-high molecular weight or a very-high molecular weight polyethylene material within a compression mold to form the infrared-transmissive dome; increasing a temperature of the compression mold; applying pressure to the ultra-high molecular weight or very-high molecular weight polyethylene material via the compression mold; decreasing the temperature of the compression mold; and removing the ultra-high molecular weight or very-high molecular weight polyethylene material from the compression mold, wherein the ultra-high molecular weight or very-high molecular weight polyethylene material has been formed to provide a hollow, hemispherical-shaped dome having a main body with a wall thickness equal to or less than approximately 0.012 inches. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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Specification