Passive infrared detector

• US 9,116,037 B2
• Filed: 10/12/2007
• Issued: 08/25/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 10/13/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fresnel Technologies Incorporated (Fresnel Tech Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Fresnel Technologies Incorporated (Fresnel Tech Incorporated)
• Inventors: Claytor, Richard N.
• Primary Examiner(s): Porta, David
• Assistant Examiner(s): Malevic, Djura
• Application Number:
  US11/974,425
• Publication Number:
  US 20110155911A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,874 Days
• Field of Search: 250/338.3
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 1/06 Restricting the angle of incident light
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/0025 Living bodies ear thermometers G01J5/0011; detecting, measuring or recording for diagnostic purposes A61B5/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/08 Optical arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/0803 Arrangements for time-dependent attenuation of radiation signals
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/0806 Focusing or collimating elements, e.g. lenses or concave mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/0831 Masks; Aperture plates; Spatial light modulators
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/34 using capacitors, e.g. pyroelectric capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/193 using focusing means

Abstract

An infrared detector (301) is provided which comprises a pyroelectric detector (303) having first and second sensing elements (345), an aperture stop (311), and a Fresnel lens array (305). The detector may be used as a passive infrared sensor unit for detecting intrusion into large openings.

Claims

1. An infrared detector, comprising:

a pyroelectric detector equipped with a window and having first and second sensing elements disposed on a first side of said window;

an aperture stop disposed on a second side of said window, wherein said aperture stop has first and second opposing sides which diffusely reflect infrared electromagnetic radiation; and

a Fresnel lens array disposed on said second side of said window, wherein said Fresnel lens array has a focal length of less than about 50 mm.

2. The infrared detector of claim 1, wherein said Fresnel lens array has a focal length within the range of about 10 mm to about 40 mm.

3. The infrared detector of claim 1, wherein said Fresnel lens array has a focal length within the range of about 15 mm to about 30 mm.

4. The infrared detector of claim 1, wherein said aperture stop is disposed between, and in front of, said first and second sensing elements.

5. The infrared detector of claim 1, wherein said aperture stop is a septum.

6. The infrared detector of claim 1, wherein said aperture stop has first and second opposing sides which are equipped with a plurality of ridges which diffusely reflect infrared electromagnetic radiation.

7. The infrared detector of claim 1, wherein said first and second sensing elements are disposed behind said window and within a chassis.

8. The infrared detector of claim 7, wherein said aperture stop is disposed in front of said window.

9. The infrared detector of claim 8, wherein the minimum distance between said window and said first sensing element is d, wherein the aperture stop has a mean width w and extends a height h above said window, wherein said Fresnel lens array has a focal length f, and wherein

10. The infrared detector of claim 1, wherein the infrared detector passively receives radiation.

11. An intrusion detection system incorporating the infrared detector of claim 1.

12. The infrared detector of claim 1, wherein said aperture stop and said Fresnel lens array form an integral construct.

13. The infrared detector of claim 1, wherein said aperture stop is detached from said Fresnel lens array.

14. The infrared detector of claim 13, wherein said aperture stop is in contact with said pyroelectric detector.

15. The infrared detector of claim 14, wherein said aperture stop is disposed upon said window.

16. The infrared detector of claim 1, wherein said pyroelectric detector has more than two sensing elements.

17. The infrared detector of claim 1, wherein said Fresnel lens array is an array of two cylindrical plano convex Fresnel lenses.

18. The infrared detector of claim 1, wherein said Fresnel lens array is an array of two acylindrical plano convex Fresnel lenses.

19. The infrared detector of claim 1, wherein said Fresnel lens array comprises a polymeric material.

20. An infrared detector, comprising:

a window having first and second major surfaces;

first and second sensing elements disposed on a first side of said window;

an aperture stop disposed on a second side of said window, wherein said aperture stop has first and second opposing sides which diffusely reflect infrared electromagnetic radiation; and

a Fresnel lens array disposed on said second side of said window;

wherein said Fresnel lens array has a finite focal length, wherein said Fresnel lens has a focal length of less than about 50 mm.

21. The infrared detector of claim 20, wherein said first and second sensing elements are disposed on a first side of said first major surface, and wherein said aperture stop and said Fresnel lens array are disposed on a second side of said first major surface.

22. The infrared detector of claim 20, wherein said Fresnel lens has a focal length within the range of about 10 mm to about 40 mm.

23. The infrared detector of claim 20, wherein said Fresnel lens has a focal length within the range of about 15 mm to about 30 mm.

24. The infrared detector of claim 20, wherein said aperture stop is disposed between, and in front of, said first and second sensing elements.

25. An infrared detector, comprising:

a pyroelectric detector equipped with a window and having first and second sensing elements disposed on a first side of said window;

an aperture stop disposed on a second side of said window, wherein said aperture stop has first and second opposing sides which diffusely reflect infrared electromagnetic radiation; and

a Fresnel lens array disposed on said second side of said window, wherein said Fresnel lens array has first and second optical centers;

wherein said sensing elements have interior edges which are closest to each other, and exterior edges which are farthest from each other, wherein said first optical center is over the exterior edge of said first sensing element, and wherein said second optical center which is over the exterior edge of said second sensing element.

26. The infrared detector of claim 25, wherein said Fresnel lens array has a focal length of less than about 50 mm.