IR sensor with increased surface area

• US 9,939,323 B2
• Filed: 03/11/2013
• Issued: 04/10/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 12/28/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
• Original Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
• Inventors: Smith, Thomas W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Porta, David
• Assistant Examiner(s): Malevic, Djura
• Application Number:
  US13/793,265
• Publication Number:
  US 20140183361A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,856 Days
• Field of Search: 2503383
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 1/0266 Field-of-view determination; Aiming or pointing of a photometer; Adjusting alignment; Encoding angular position; Size of the measurement area; Position tracking; Photodetection involving different fields of view for a single detector
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/045 Sealings; Vacuum enclosures; Encapsulated packages; Wafer bonding structures; Getter arrangements getter arrangements per se H01L23/26 and H01L21/3221
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/0871 Beam switching arrangements; Photodetection involving different fields of view for a single detector
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/34 using capacitors, e.g. pyroelectric capacitors

Abstract

Sensors, systems including sensors, and methods of using such sensors and systems are provided. In one aspect, a sensor includes a sensor element at least partially positioned within the housing. The sensor element includes a plurality of interconnected segments with each segment comprising a pyroelectric crystal and wherein the sensor may generate a single, unitary signal upon exposure of any segment to infrared radiation.

Claims

1. A sensor comprising:

a pyroelectric element including a plurality of interconnected pyroelectric segments, wherein each segment comprises a pyroelectric crystal and two opposing arcuate ends, wherein the plurality of pyroelectric segments are oriented parallel to each other and arcuate ends of the parallel oriented pyroelectric segments cooperate to provide an at least partially arcuate perimeter of the pyroelectric element, wherein each of the plurality of pyroelectric segments includes a width and a height together defining an aspect ratio, wherein the aspect ratios of the plurality of pyroelectric segments are within ±

25% of each other, and wherein each of the pyroelectric segments is configured to either generate electricity or change resistance when exposed to infrared radiation, wherein, if the pyroelectric segments generate electricity, the electricity from the pyroelectric segments is configured to be either added or divided to generate a single, unitary signal, and wherein, if the pyroelectric segments change resistance, the resistances of the pyroelectric segments is configured to be either added or divided to generate a single, unitary signal.

2. The sensor of claim 1, further comprising a housing defining a window, wherein the pyroelectric element is at least partially positioned within the housing and at least partially aligned with the window.

3. The sensor of claim 2, wherein the housing has a can package.

4. The sensor of claim 2, further comprising a lens covering the window.

5. The sensor of claim 1, wherein the pyroelectric element is elliptical.

6. The sensor of claim 1, wherein each of the pyroelectric crystals comprises a lead salt crystal.

7. The sensor of claim 1, wherein each pyroelectric segment has a substantially similar resistance value, within about ±

20%.

8. The sensor of claim 1, wherein the pyroelectric element is circular.

9. The sensor of claim 1, wherein the pyroelectric element includes at least three interconnected pyroelectric segments.

10. A sensor comprising:

a sensor element including a plurality of interconnected segments, wherein each segment comprises a pyroelectric crystal and at least one arcuate end, wherein the plurality of segments are oriented parallel to each other and arcuate ends of the parallel oriented segments cooperate to provide an at least partially arcuate perimeter of the sensor element, wherein each of the segments is configured to generate electricity when exposed to infrared radiation, wherein the electricity from the segments is configured to be either added or divided to generate a single, unitary signal, and wherein, if the segments change resistance, the resistances of the segments is configured to be either added or divided to generate a single, unitary signal.

11. The sensor of claim 10, wherein the plurality of interconnected segments are oriented parallel to each other and each of the plurality of interconnected segments includes a width and a height together defining an aspect ratio, wherein the aspect ratios of the plurality of interconnected segments are within ±

25% of each other.

12. The sensor of claim 10, further comprising a housing defining a window, wherein the sensor element is at least partially positioned within the housing and at least partially aligned with the window.

13. The sensor of claim 12, further comprising a lens covering the window.

14. The sensor of claim 10, wherein the sensor element is elliptical.

15. The sensor of claim 10, wherein each interconnected segment has a substantially similar resistance value, within about ±

20%.

16. The sensor of claim 10, wherein each pyroelectric crystal comprises a lead salt crystal.

17. The sensor of claim 10, wherein the pyroelectric element is circular.

18. The sensor of claim 10, wherein the pyroelectric element includes at least three interconnected segments.

19. A sensor comprising:

a sensor element including a plurality of interconnected segments, wherein each segment comprises a pyroelectric crystal and at least one arcuate end, wherein the plurality of segments are oriented parallel to each other and arcuate ends of the parallel oriented segments cooperate to provide an at least partially arcuate perimeter of the sensor element, wherein each of the segments is configured to change resistance when exposed to infrared radiation, wherein the resistances of the segments are configured to be either added or divided to generate a single, unitary signal.

20. The sensor of claim 19, wherein the plurality of interconnected segments are oriented parallel to each other and each of the plurality of interconnected segments includes a width and a height together defining an aspect ratio, wherein the aspect ratios of the plurality of interconnected segments are within ±

25% of each other.

21. The sensor of claim 19, further comprising a housing defining a window, wherein the sensor element is at least partially positioned within the housing and at least partially aligned with the window.

22. The sensor of claim 21, further comprising a lens covering the window.

23. The sensor of claim 19, wherein the sensor element is elliptical.

24. The sensor of claim 19, wherein each segment has a substantially similar resistance value, within about ±

20%.

25. The sensor of claim 19, wherein the pyroelectric element is circular.

26. The sensor of claim 19, wherein the pyroelectric element includes at least three interconnected segments.