Patent ID: 8462418
Filing Date: 2013-06-11
Classification: G02B,G03B

Abstract:
1. An infra-red camera having a continuous variable aperture, comprising: an infra-red sensor that senses infra-red radiation energy; a radiation shield in which the infra-red sensor is located, the radiation shield including an opening to allow infra-red radiation energy to reach the infra-red sensor while shielding the infra-red sensor from receiving radiation energy other than the portion of infra-red radiation energy selected by an actuator via an aperture; first positionable blade members located relative to the opening of the radiation shield and configured to move in position relative to one another to form a variable aperture that controls an amount of radiation to pass through the first positionable blade members to reach the opening of the radiation shield; second positionable curved blade members located relative to the first positionable blade members and configured to move in position relative to one another to modify a shape of the variable aperture to controls the radiation that reaches the opening of the radiation shield; and the actuator coupled to the first positionable blade members to control positions of the first positionable blade members in adjusting an opening of the variable aperture, the actuator further engaged to the second positionable curved blade members to control relative positions of the second positionable curved blade members in modifying the shape of the variable aperture.