Method and system for expanding the range of working environments in which a 3-D or depth sensor can operate without damaging or degrading the measurement performance of the sensor

A system for expanding the range of working environments in which a 3-D or active depth sensor can operate without damaging or degrading the measurement performance of the sensor, the sensor having a rigid, thermally-conductive sensor rail and a plurality of optoelectronic components including a pattern emitter configured to project a known pattern of radiation and one or more cameras or detectors configured to view the projected known pattern of radiation, each of the components being mounted on and in thermal contact with the sensor rail which distributes heating or cooling to the components, the system comprising:

• an airtight, thermally-insulated enclosure for enclosing the support structure and the optoelectronic components within an interior of the enclosure, wherein the enclosure includes an optically transparent window through which the patterns emitter projects and the one or more cameras or detectors receive visible and near-visible radiation;
• and
• a temperature control circuit including a controller to actively monitor interior temperature within the enclosure and to regulate temperature within the enclosure to be within an operational temperature range of the sensor based on the monitored temperature, wherein the control circuit further includes at least one thermoelectric device disposed outside the enclosure and controlled by the controller and at least one heat transfer pipe or bar in direct thermal contact with the at least one thermoelectric device, extending through the enclosures and forming an airtight seal with the outside of the enclosure and configured to be in direct thermal contact with the sensor rail to pump heat either into or out of the enclosure to either heat or cool the interior of the enclosure, respectively, wherein heat is transferred between the at least one thermoelectric device and the sensor rail based on whether the monitored interior temperature is below or above the range.