Patent Publication Number: US-2013240733-A1

Title: Modular multi-use thermal imaging system

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This Application claims rights under 35 USC §119(e) from U.S. Application 61/527,240 filed Aug. 25, 2011, the contents of which are incorporated herein by Reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to thermal imaging devices and more particularly to modular multi-use clip-on thermal imaging systems. 
     2. Brief Description of Related Art 
     Existing thermal imaging devices utilize attachments to night vision goggles and the like. These thermal imaging devices including the attachments may be limited when a soldier, law enforcement officer, or other night vision user needs to switch to use a weapon or other such devices. Further, due to limited display apertures that are customized for night vision goggle front inject such thermal imaging devices may not be easily transferred between applications. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A modular multi-use thermal imaging system is disclosed. According to one aspect of the present subject matter, the modular multi-user thermal imaging system includes a modular mounting structure and a modular multi-use thermal imaging device configured to attach to one or more structures via the modular mounting Structure. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       The advantages and features of the present disclosure will become better understood with reference to the following detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an example modular multi-use thermal imaging system including a modular multi-use thermal imaging device along with a suitable modular mounting structure for the modular multi-use thermal imaging device; 
         FIGS. 2A and 2B  illustrate example modular mounting structures for use with the modular multi-use thermal imaging device such as the one shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates example views of the modular multi-use thermal imaging device, such as the one shown in  FIG. 1 , mounted on a weapon; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates example images including scales and cross hairs obtained from the modular multi-use thermal imaging device, such as the one shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates another example modular multi-use thermal imaging device including a near infrared laser pointer device; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates various example lens assemblies that are suitable for use with the modular multi-use thermal imaging device, such as those shown in  FIGS. 1 and 5 ; 
         FIGS. 7A and 7B  illustrate example schematic views of the modular multi-use thermal imaging device, such as those shown in  FIGS. 1 and 5 , attached to other optical devices using a multiple-device mount; and 
         FIG. 8  shows the modular multi-use thermal imaging device, such as those shown in  FIGS. 1 and 5 , attached to the bottom of a helmet mount, according to an embodiment of the present subject matter. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The exemplary embodiments described herein in detail for illustrative purposes are subject to many variations in structure and design. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an example modular multi-use thermal imaging system including a modular multi-use thermal imaging device  100 B along with a suitable modular mounting structure  100 A for the modular multi-use thermal imaging device  100 B. The modular multi-use thermal imaging system employs a large aperture modular design that utilizes a parasitic clip on thermal imager approach. The modular multi-use thermal imaging system also functions as a separate piece that is configured to receive power and commands from a main thermal module. The modular multi-use thermal imaging system can be deployed for reconnaissance, surveillance, and targeting in all lighting conditions, including total darkness and times when vision is obstructed due to battlefield obscurants such as smoke, fog, sand storms, etc. 
     In one embodiment, the modular multi-use thermal imaging device  100 B is configured to attach to one or more structures via the modular mounting structure  100 A. Exemplary structures include a rifle, an optical device, and a helmet. This is explained in more detail with reference to  FIGS. 3 ,  7 A,  7 B and  8 . For example, the modular multi-use thermal imaging device  100 B is configured to attach to the one or more structures via the modular mounting structure  100 B with a clip-on connection. The modular multi-use thermal imaging device  100 B is also configured to be operated independently as a hand-held device. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 2A and 2B , which illustrates example modular mounting structures  200 A and  200 B for use with the modular multi-use thermal imaging device  100 B, such as the one shown in  FIG. 1 . The modular mounting structures  200 A and  200 B are used to attach the modular multi-use thermal imaging device  100 B on a bottom of a helmet mount. This is explained in more detail with reference to  FIG. 8 . Further, the modular multi-use thermal imaging device  100 B is easily removed from the helmet mount. The modular mounting structures  200 A and  200 B is also compatible with a rifle mounting rail. This is explained in more detail with reference to  FIG. 3 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , which illustrates example views of the modular multi-use thermal imaging device  100 B, such as the one shown in  FIG. 1 , mounted on a weapon. Particularly,  FIG. 3  illustrates side views  300 A and  300 C and front view  300 B of the modular multi-use thermal imaging device  100 B mounted on the weapon. As shown, the modular multi-use thermal imaging device  100 B is mounted on the weapon using the modular mounting structure  100 A, shown in  FIG. 1 . The modular multi-use thermal imaging device  100 B is easily connected and discontented from the weapon. Further, the modular mounting structure  100 A allows the modular multi-use thermal imaging device  100 B to be pivoted out of the optical line of sight. For example, the modular multi-use thermal imaging device  100 B is suitable for M249SAW and M240 top rail with daytime optics. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , which illustrates example images including scales and cross hairs obtained from the modular multi-use thermal imaging device  100 B, such as the one shown in  FIG. 1 . In one embodiment, the modular multi-use thermal imaging device  100 B is incorporated with a user selectable cross-hair or horizontal and vertical scales. The modular multi-use thermal imaging device  100 B also includes a tilt compensated compass. Further, pitch and roll is also displayed. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , which illustrates another example modular multi-use thermal imaging device  500  including a near infrared laser pointer device. Particularly,  FIG. 5  illustrates the modular multi-use thermal imaging device  500  including a laser fire  502  and a laser aperture  504 . In one embodiment, a near infrared laser pointer is integrated on the front of the modular multi-use thermal imaging device  500  and is used to highlight targets of interest for other image-intensifier (I 2 ) equipped operators. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , which illustrates various example lens assemblies that are suitable for use with the modular multi-use thermal imaging devices  100 B and  500 , such as those shown in  FIGS. 1 and 5 , respectively. The modular multi-use thermal imaging devices  100 B and  500  are easily installed in the field with lenses for longer range or wide area surveillance without the use of tools or loss of system environmental integrity. The modular multi-use thermal imaging devices  100 B and  500  are also configured to retrofit to connect with existing optical lenses. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 7A and 7B , which illustrate example schematic views of a modular multi-use thermal imaging device  704  attached to other optical devices using a multiple-device mount  702 . Particularly,  FIG. 7A  illustrates an isometric view  700 A of the modular multi-use thermal imaging device  704  attached to other optical devices and  FIG. 7B  illustrates a side view  700 B of the modular multi-use thermal imaging device  704  attached to other optical devices. The modular multi-use thermal imaging device  704  is any one of the modular multi-use thermal imaging devices  100 B and  500 , shown in  FIGS. 1 and 5 , respectively. In one embodiment, the modular multi-use thermal imaging device  704  is compatible with one or more optical devices and is easily attached and detached from the optical devices. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 8 , which shows a modular multi-use thermal imaging device  704  attached to the bottom of a helmet mount  806 , according to an embodiment of the present subject matter. The modular multi-use thermal imaging device  804  is any one of the modular multi-use thermal imaging devices  100 B and  500 , shown in  FIGS. 1 and 5 , respectively. Further, the modular multi-use thermal imaging device  804  is attached to the helmet mount  806  using modular mounting device  802 . The modular mounting device  802  is any one of the modular mounting devices  100 A,  200 A and  200 B, shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present disclosure have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present disclosure to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present disclosure and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present disclosure and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omission and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but such are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present disclosure.