Patent ID: 7369174

Claim:
A thermal imaging system intended for use upon a helmet worn by a person observing a scene at a fire or other incident site, comprising: infrared camera means assembled and releasably mounted in a stationary position along the centerline of the helmet for producing video signals reflective of thermal images of the scene viewed along the centerline, said infrared camera means comprising an infrared camera having a sensor array forwardly positioned to detect infrared radiation emanating from the scene for producing electrical signals indicative thereof, signal processor means connected to receive the electrical signals from said infrared camera for generating processed video signals based thereon indicative of thermal images of the scene, battery means connected to said infrared camera and said signal processor means for providing electrical power thereto, and housing means for containing said infrared camera, said signal processor means and said battery means in an assembled camera arrangement wherein the sensor array of said infrared camera is forwardly disposed to receive the infrared radiation emanating from the scene, said housing means comprising a front housing member formed having a cavity to substantially contain the assembled camera arrangement therein and further having a portal centrally therethrough to permit transmission of the infrared radiation emanating from the scene to the sensor array of said infrared camera, a rear housing member connected to said front housing member and formed to enclose the cavity thereof, said rear housing member being further formed to provide an interior compartment to hold said battery means, and a battery door pivotally connected to said rear housing member to close the interior compartment therein; eyepiece display means extended from said infrared camera means and adjustably connected thereto for presenting thermal images of the scene to either eye of the person based on the video signals from said infrared camera means; and bracket means assembled and interconnected between said infrared camera means and the helmet, said bracket means being axially aligned with the centerline of the helmet and interlocked therealong for releasably mounting said infrared camera means in the stationary position along the centerline of the helmet.