Sensor system with heating

A sensor system, comprising:

• a sensor;
• a plurality of panels connected to each other in a loop around the sensor;
• a duct positioned to direct air towards the sensor;
• a heating element disposed in the duct;
• a first valve and a second valve disposed in the duct and spaced from each other along the duct, the first and second valves being selectively actuatable between an open position permitting airflow through the duct and a closed position blocking airflow through the duct;
• and
• a computer communicatively coupled to the heating element and the first and second valves;
• wherein the computer is programmed to:
• upon determining a first difference between one respective panel temperature and an ambient temperature is greater than a first threshold, actuate the second valve to the closed position and maintain the first valve in the open position;
• actuate the heating element to a first heating level based on the first difference;
• and
• upon determining that a difference between an air temperature at the second valve and an air temperature at the first valve is greater than a second threshold, actuate the first valve to the closed position and the second valve to the open position.

A sensor system, comprising:

• a sensor;
• a plurality of panels connected to each other in a loop around the sensor;
• a duct positioned to direct air towards the sensor;
• a heating element disposed in the duct;
• a first valve and a second valve disposed in the duct and spaced from each other along the duct, the first and second valves being selectively actuatable between an open position permitting airflow through the duct and a closed position blocking airflow through the duct;
• and
• a computer communicatively coupled to the heating element and the first and second valves;
• wherein the computer is programmed to:
• upon determining a first difference between one respective panel temperature and an ambient temperature is greater than a first threshold, actuate the second valve to the closed position and maintain the first valve in the open position;
• actuate the heating element to a first heating level based on the first difference;
• and
• stop the heating element based on detecting the first valve in the closed position.

A sensor system, comprising:

• a sensor;
• a plurality of panels connected to each other in a loop around the sensor;
• a duct positioned to direct air towards the sensor;
• a heating element disposed in the duct;
• a first valve and a second valve disposed in the duct and spaced from each other along the duct, the first and second valves being selectively actuatable between an open position permitting airflow through the duct and a closed position blocking airflow through the duct;
• a blower coupled to the duct;
• and
• a computer communicatively coupled to the heating element, the first and second valves, and the blower;
• wherein the computer is programmed to:
• upon determining a first difference between one respective panel temperature and an ambient temperature is greater than a first threshold, actuate the second valve to the closed position and maintain the first valve in the open position;
• actuate the heating element to a first heating level based on the first difference;
• and
• activate the blower based on detecting the second valve in the closed position.

A sensor system, comprising:

• a sensor;
• a plurality of panels connected to each other in a loop around the sensor;
• a duct positioned to direct air towards the sensor;
• a heating element disposed in the duct;
• a first valve and a second valve disposed in the duct and spaced from each other along the duct, the first and second valves being selectively actuatable between an open position permitting airflow through the duct and a closed position blocking airflow through the duct;
• and
• a computer communicatively coupled to the heating element and the first and second valves;
• wherein the computer is programmed to:
• upon determining a first difference between one respective panel temperature and an ambient temperature is greater than a first threshold, actuate the second valve to the closed position and maintain the first valve in the open position;
• actuate the heating element to a first heating level based on the first difference;
• upon determining that at least one panel temperature is outside of a predetermined range relative to at least one other panel temperature, actuate the second valve to the closed position and maintain the first valve in the open position;
• and
• activate the heating element to a predetermined heating level.