Non-contact medical thermometer with stray radiation shielding
First Claim
1. A thermal radiation thermometer for measuring a surface temperature of an object, the thermometer comprising:
- a thermal radiation sensor;
an optical device configured for receiving thermal radiation emanated by the object and directing the thermal radiation to the thermal radiation sensor;
a reference temperature sensor thermally coupled to the thermal radiation sensor;
a thermal shield including an outer surface and an internal cavity configured for receiving the thermal radiation sensor, and thermally coupling the thermal radiation sensor to the thermal shield, such that the interior cavity of the thermal shield is within a field of view of the thermal radiation sensor;
an electronic circuit electrically coupled to the thermal radiation sensor and to the reference temperature sensor, the electrical circuit being configured to process signals generated by the thermal radiation sensor and the reference temperature sensor to calculate the surface temperature of the object, anda housing configured for enclosing and fixedly positioning the thermal radiation sensor, the optical device and the thermal shield relative to one another,wherein the thermal shield is further configured within the housing to substantially shield the thermal radiation sensor from stray thermal radiation emanating from interior surfaces of the housing,a heating element thermally coupled to the thermal radiation sensor and to the thermal shield.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A non-contact infrared (IR) thermometer for measuring temperature from the surface of an object includes an IR radiation sensor attached to a heating element and a thermal shield having an interior surface positioned within the sensor'"'"'s field of view that has a high emissivity. An electronic circuit controlling the heating element maintains the temperatures of the sensor and shield substantially close to an anticipated surface temperature of the object. The IR radiation sensor is further thermally coupled to a reference temperature sensor. An optical system positioned in front of the shield focuses thermal radiation from the object on the surface of the sensor, while the shield prevents stray radiation from reaching the sensor. Signals from the IR and reference sensors are used to calculate the object'"'"'s surface temperature.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A thermal radiation thermometer for measuring a surface temperature of an object, the thermometer comprising:
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a thermal radiation sensor; an optical device configured for receiving thermal radiation emanated by the object and directing the thermal radiation to the thermal radiation sensor; a reference temperature sensor thermally coupled to the thermal radiation sensor; a thermal shield including an outer surface and an internal cavity configured for receiving the thermal radiation sensor, and thermally coupling the thermal radiation sensor to the thermal shield, such that the interior cavity of the thermal shield is within a field of view of the thermal radiation sensor; an electronic circuit electrically coupled to the thermal radiation sensor and to the reference temperature sensor, the electrical circuit being configured to process signals generated by the thermal radiation sensor and the reference temperature sensor to calculate the surface temperature of the object, and a housing configured for enclosing and fixedly positioning the thermal radiation sensor, the optical device and the thermal shield relative to one another, wherein the thermal shield is further configured within the housing to substantially shield the thermal radiation sensor from stray thermal radiation emanating from interior surfaces of the housing, a heating element thermally coupled to the thermal radiation sensor and to the thermal shield. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification