×

Non-circular continuous variable aperture or shutter for infrared cameras

  • US 8,164,813 B1
  • Filed: 12/31/2007
  • Issued: 04/24/2012
  • Est. Priority Date: 06/16/2007
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
Patent Images

1. A continuous variable aperture for an infra-red camera, comprising:

  • a pair of positionable blade members for defining an aperture, said aperture being of an area that is selectively adjustable in size and, when said aperture is open, is of a generally rectangular shape, the size of said area being a function of the position of said positionable blade members relative to one another; and

    an actuator for selectively positioning said positionable blade members relative to one another to any position within a continuum of positions to selectively adjust said area of said adjustable aperture,wherein said generally rectangular shape of said aperture further comprises a rectangle to define a rectangular aperture; and

    further comprising;

    a plurality of additional positionable curved blade members for rounding the corners of said rectangular aperture, irrespective of the size of said aperture, to produce a generally race track shaped aperture, said additional positionable curved blade members including a curved edge; and

    wherein said actuator controls positioning said plurality of additional curved blade members concurrently in synchronism with the positioning of said pair of positionable blade members.

View all claims
  • 1 Assignment
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×