Patent attributes
A method for adapting existing thermal imaging devices employing uncooled focal plane arrays (UFPA) for thermal imaging of target surfaces, the device including a housing (12) with an opening (14) for directing incident infrared rays along an optical path through an optical assembly (40) optimized to have a spectral band width of 3 to 14 um, onto a UFPA detector (48) having a spectral transmission window (84) which has a bandwidth 3 to 14 um sufficient to pass all infrared rays of interest over a broad temperature range. Filter means (44) including at least two filters (78, 80), having a band width in the ranges of 3 to 8 um and 8 to 14 um, respectively, allow for the placement of either specialized IR filter in the optical path so as to attenuate andlor pass certain wavelengths of the infrared rays depending on the specific application in a broad range between −40° C. to 2000° C. The device allows for thermal imaging even in daytime applications in sunlight.
