William Moore (physicist)
William T. Moore MBE (26 October 1936 – 17 August 1990), also published as W. T. Moore, was a New Zealand-born British physicist and industrial engineer. His work focused on the fields of infrared (IR) optics and the development of compact thermal imaging systems within the UK's Thermal Imaging Common Modules (TICM) programme. His research into digital signal processing and head-up display (HUD) technology led to several patents in optical alignment and parallax correction. These patents have since been cited as prior art in subsequent patent filings by companies including Sony, Hitachi, and Airbus France. He served as Chief Scientist at Rank Research Laboratories, and later held senior technical roles at Rank Pullin Controls and GEC Sensors. In the 1980 Birthday Honours he was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE).[1]
Early life and education
Moore was born in Christchurch, New Zealand. He attended the University of New Zealand (Canterbury College), graduating with a Bachelor of Science in 1959 and a Master of Science in Physics in 1961.[2] He emigrated to the United Kingdom later that year to join the Rank Organisation.
Career
Rank Research Laboratories
Moore headed a research and development team at Rank Research Laboratories in Brentford in his role as Chief Scientist. His collaboration with T.C. Reeve resulted in the 1979 paper: "A 625-line CCIR Compatible Thermal Imaging System" presented at the Second International Conference on Low Light and Thermal Imaging.[3] This research detailed the development of a thermal imaging system compatible with standard television monitors, removing the need for specialised equipment.
Rank Pullin Controls
Following the 1981 merger of Rank Research Laboratories, Moore moved to Rank Pullin Controls ('Rank Pullin') in Debden (Loughton). He led a team specialising in compact optical imaging systems for the Ministry of Defence's Thermal Imaging Common Module (TICM II) programme, while Rank Taylor Hobson served as the primary contractor.[4]
In a 1985 paper for the Royal Aeronautical Society, Moore and T. D. Woolls outlined the application of compact thermal imaging systems for Remotely Piloted Vehicles (RPVs).[5]
In 1986, Moore co-authored a paper for SPIE (International Society for Optical Engineering) with A. H. Lettington of the Royal Signals and Radar Establishment, Malvern (RSRE) detailing compact high-performance thermal imagers based on a 'novel' coaxial scanning technique (originated at RSRE). Utilising a SPRITE (RSRE) detector, the design reduced the size, weight and cost of the scanning assemblies, making them suitable for use in helicopters and RPVs. A coaxial scanner mounted in a demonstrator package for the M.L. Aviation Rotary Wing SPRITE RPV was illustrated. This work was indexed by the NASA Technical Reports Server in 1988.[6]
GEC takeover
Moore continued his work in thermal imaging at a senior level within the GEC Sensors division of GEC, following its 1988 takeover of Rank Pullin.[7]
Technical applications
Thermal imaging and optical sighting systems engineered by Rank Pullin were applied to military platforms, including armoured vehicles and sights.[8][9]
Moore's designs were integrated into optical sighting systems for international military platforms. One example is the fire control system of Brazilian EE-9 Cascavel armoured vehicles utilising a Rank Pullin SS 123 periscope (integrated with a Ferranti Model 520 laser rangefinder); also using a Rank Pullin SS 141 periscopic sight.[10]
Contemporary publications describe contributions by Rank Pullin and other companies within the Rank Organisation to components of the TICM II programme, including optical systems and scanning assemblies:- Webb 1982.[11] Campbell 1985.[12] Clarke 1985.[13]
Honours
In 1980 Moore was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE).[14]
Patents
Moore's research into infrared optics and digital signal processing transitioned from military night-vision applications into broader industrial and consumer markets. Moore's designs for optical scanning and parallax correction have been subsequently cited as prior art in over 50 patent filings, with relevance continuing into the 21st century, as evidenced by patent examiner citations as recently as 2019.
US Patent 4,799,106 :Digital Imaging: Along with Kenneth J. Wallace, Moore developed digital signal processing for image representation. This work has been cited by firms such as Sony, Hitachi, Eastman Kodak, and Fuji Photo Film.[15]
US Patent 4,752,824 Aerospace: His research into parallax correction for head-up displays (HUDs) provided an optical framework for superimposed flight data. It has been cited as prior art by Airbus France and Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC).[16]
Death and legacy
William T. Moore's career was curtailed by his death in 1990 at the age of 53. Owing to the requirements of the Official Secrets Act and the classified nature of Cold War-era defence programmes, contemporary biographical coverage was largely limited to technical journals and patent records.
However, his influence is preserved through his collaborative work with the RSRE and his extensive portfolio of patents. An invited SPIE 1994 paper by A. H. Lettington detailed the development of compact thermal imaging scanners of the type described in Moore's works.[17] His technical papers, including those indexed by the NASA Technical Reports Server, continue to serve as a record of the UK's development of compact, high-performance thermal imaging during the late 20th century.
General texts on thermal imaging systems also describe his contributions to thermal imagers, prior to the adoption of focal plane array technologies, including those by Schlessinger (1995)[18] and Williams (2009).[19]
References
- ↑ The London Gazette, Supplement 48212, 13 June 1980, p. 15. [1]
- ↑ New Zealand University Graduates: 1870-1961. [2]
- ↑ Moore, W. T. and Reeve, T. C. (1979). "A 625-line CCIR Compatible Thermal Imaging System." Second International Conference on Low Light and Thermal Imaging, I.E.E Conference Publication No. 173, pp. 63-4.
- ↑ Memories of RXMP (1981). Rank Organisation RFE 1981. [3]
- ↑ Moore, W. T. and Woolls, T. D. (1985). "A Thermal Imaging Payload for RPV Applications." Fifth International Conference on Remotely Piloted Vehicles, Bristol, RAeS. NASA SP-7037 (205) October 1986: A86-37333.
- ↑ Lettington, A. H. and Moore, W. T. (1986). "A Compact High Performance Thermal Imager." Proceedings of SPIE 0685, Infrared Technology XII. https://doi.org (Reprinted in NASA Technical Reports Server, October 1988: A88-12843).
- ↑ Jane's Defence Weekly (1988), p. 844. ISSN 0265-3818.
- ↑ Jane's Armour and Artillery (1985-86), p. 136. ISBN 978-0710608208 Search this book on
..
- ↑ Jane's Weapon Systems (1987-88), p. 1192. ISBN 978-0710608451 Search this book on ..
- ↑ "EE-9 Cascavel," Forecast International Archived Report, August 1998, p. 2.
- ↑ Webb, D. B. (1982). "A Complete Thermal Imaging System: Ministry of Defence Thermal Imaging Common Modules Programme." The Radio and Electronic Engineer, Vol. 52, No. 1.
- ↑ Campbell, A. P. (1985). "High Spatial Resolution Thermal Imagers." RSRE 1985 Research Review, p. 121. [4]
- ↑ Clarke, F. J. J. (1985). "A Deep-Focus Attachment for a Far-Focus Thermal Imager System." National Physical Laboratory (NPL) SPIE Vol. 590.
- ↑ The London Gazette, Supplement 48212, 13 June 1980, p. 15. [5]
- ↑ U.S. Patent 4,799,106, "Controlling image signals in an imaging apparatus," issued January 17, 1989.
- ↑ U.S. Patent 4,752,824, "Method and apparatus for measuring the thickness of a film on a substrate," issued June 21, 1988.
- ↑ Lettington, A. H. (1994). "Design and Development of the Coaxial Scanner as a Compact High Performance Thermal Imager." Proceedings of SPIE Vol. 2268.
- ↑ Schlessinger, M. (1995). Infrared Technology Fundamentals. Marcel Dekker. ISBN 978-0824792596 Search this book on ..
- ↑ Williams, Thomas L. (2009). Thermal Imaging Cameras: Characteristics and Performance, pp. 18, 37-38. Taylor & Francis. ISBN 978-1420071856 Search this book on ..
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