US4487037A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Small-sized cryostatic device for photodetectors
Assignee: Thales SA
•
Filing: 1983-07-08
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Granted: 1984-12-11
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Expires: 2003-07-08
Abstract
Abstract A small size e.g. 12 mm diameter by 40 mm long cryostatic device with photodetectors. A hollow finger having the photodetectors at one end is adapted to be brought to a very low temperature by a cold fluid circulating in the finger. A wall or housing surrounds finger and provides a vaccuum space surrounding the finger. A window made from a material transparent to the radiation to be detected forms part of the wall and faces the detector. The cold finger is made from a ceramic material which is either a tight ceramic or a sealed ceramic which has low thermal conductivity.
Inventors
- 👤 Jacques Meignin
- 👤 Daniel Mollaret
- 👤 Roger Prost
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 15:21
CPC Classifications
F; F17; F17C; F17C3/00; F17C3/02; F17C3/08; F17C3/085; G; G01; G01J; G01J5/00; G01J5/02; G01J5/06; G01J5/061
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
153 words
A cryostatic device of small dimensions for photodetectors comprising: a photodetector, a finger adapted to be brought to a very low temperature with said detector fixed at one end of said finger, an external housing surrounding said finger and detector, said external housing having a window in a wall facing the detector, said window being made of a material transparent to radiation to be detected, a base sealed to said finger and to said external housing and forming a vacuum enclosure between said finger and said housing, electric conductors extending from said photodetector at said one end of said finger, along the finger to the other end thereof and exiting between the base and the finger, said finger being made of a tight ceramic or a sealed ceramic of a low thermal conductivity, and said base being made from an insulating material with a thermal expansion co-efficient compatible with that of the finger.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
153 words
A cryostatic device of small dimensions for photodetectors comprising: a photodetector, a finger adapted to be brought to a very low temperature with said detector fixed at one end of said finger, an external housing surrounding said finger and detector, said external housing having a window in a wall facing the detector, said window being made of a material transparent to radiation to be detected, a base sealed to said finger and to said external housing and forming a vacuum enclosure between said finger and said housing, electric conductors extending from said photodetector at said one end of said finger, along the finger to the other end thereof and exiting between the base and the finger, said finger being made of a tight ceramic or a sealed ceramic of a low thermal conductivity, and said base being made from an insulating material with a thermal expansion co-efficient compatible with that of the finger.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The cryostatic device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ceramic used for forming the cold finger is chosen from forsterite, zirconia, mullite and steatite.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The cryostatic device as claimed in claim 2, wherein, in the case of a porous ceramic, it is made tight by enamelling.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The cryostatic device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the base is made from ceramic.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The cryostatic device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the external contour of the base is used as axial and rotational positioning means for the cryostatic device.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The cryostatic device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the external contour has a polygonal form or a form of revolution and comprises a positioning index.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
The cryostatic device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the conductors are located directly on an outside surface of the cold finger from the end supporting the detectors to the outside of the cryostatic device.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
A cryostatic device claimed in claim 1 wherein the finger is provided with groove on its outside surface, and said conductors are positioned in said grooves.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
39 words
The cryostatic device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the external housing of the cryostatic device is made from a ceramic, a metal, or a metal alloy, having a thermal expansion coefficient substantially equal to that of the base.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The cryostatic device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the metal or metal alloy is a magnetic material.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The cryostatic device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the metal alloy is an iron-nickel based alloy.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
The cryostatic device as claimed in claim 1 wherein a seal between the external housing and the base, and/or a seal at the window comprises indium.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein said device has an outside diameter of less than approximately 12 mm and a length less than approximately 40 mm.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein said detector comprises a plurality of detectors and said conductors include 3 dozen output conductors.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
103 words
A cryostatic device comprising (a) a hollow, low, thermal conductivity ceramic finger with a detector at one end and open at the other end, and adapted to receive a coolant at said open end, (b) a hollow housing with a window at one end, (c) a base joining said housing to said finger with a vacuum space between said housing and finger, said window being positioned to permit radiation to pass therethrough to said detector, (d) conductors extending from said detector directly on an outside surface of said finger in said vacuum space past said joining and to the outside of said device.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
103 words
A cryostatic device comprising (a) a hollow, low, thermal conductivity ceramic finger with a detector at one end and open at the other end, and adapted to receive a coolant at said open end, (b) a hollow housing with a window at one end, (c) a base joining said housing to said finger with a vacuum space between said housing and finger, said window being positioned to permit radiation to pass therethrough to said detector, (d) conductors extending from said detector directly on an outside surface of said finger in said vacuum space past said joining and to the outside of said device.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
32 words
A device according to claim 14 wherein said housing has an outside diameter of less than approximately 12 mm, and the overall length of said housing is less than approximately 40 mm.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
31 words
A device according to claim 16 wherein said detector comprises a plurality of detectors and the conductors connect said detectors to the outside of said device are at least 3 dozen.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-12-11 | 1988-06-11 | 1988-12-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-12-11 | 1992-06-11 | 1992-12-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-12-11 | 1996-06-11 | 1996-12-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |