THERMAL IMAGER WITH HERMETICALLY SEALED AND PRESSURIZED HOUSING

摘要

The present invention relates to an imaging device with a thermal imaging surveillance capability for safety, security and situational awareness. Closed circuit television systems (CCTV) are usually supported on drive and actuating mechanisms so that their active imaging portions are housed in a protective environment in a transparent dome. Existing thermal imaging devices are used in fixed configurations or on platforms and are bulky and expensive. In addition they are unsuitable for harsh marine environments. The invention is an imaging device and comprises: a thermal imager, which in use is housed within a sealed housing. A pan and tilt mechanism is supported in the housing for displacing the thermal imager. A dome, formed from an infra-red (IR) transmitting material, covers and seals the housing (which is ideally filled with an inert gas) thereby resulting in an arrangement that is resistant to exposure to water and salt and so provides an imager suitable for marine environments, as well resulting in an overall reduction in size of the imager compared with exposed pan and tilt mechanisms.