Air purge system for optical sensor
AssigneeIrcon, Inc.
InventorsEugene F. Kalley, Sam Paris, Tommy C. Tam, Amilio Donado
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An air purge system for an optical sensor is disclosed. The air purge system includes a two sided lens having an optical sensor positioned on the first side and a fluid stream on the second side. The air purge system further includes, a plenum having an inlet, an array of parallel channels and an outlet, whereby the array of parallel channels, is disposed between the inlet and the outlet. The outlet is positioned on the second side of the housing and may be adapted to direct a fluid stream substantially parallel to the second side of the lens.
Claims24
An air purge system for an optical sensor, comprising:
- a lens having a first side and a second side;
- an optical sensor positioned on the first side of the lens;
- a fluid stream located on the second side of the lens;
- a plenum including an inlet and an outlet, the plenum being adapted to direct the fluid stream substantially parallel to the second side of the lens;
- and
- an array of parallel channels disposed between the inlet and the outlet of the plenum adapted to change a turbulent fluid stream to a substantially laminar fluid stream.
An air purge system for an optical sensor, comprising:
- a lens having a first side and a second side;
- an optical sensor positioned on the first side of the lens;
- a fluid stream located on the second side of the lens;
- a plenum including an inlet for the fluid stream and an outlet for the fluid stream, the plenum being adapted to direct the fluid stream parallel to the second side of the lens;
- an array of parallel channels being disposed between the inlet and the outlet for changing a turbulent fluid stream to a substantially laminar fluid stream;
- and
- a diffuser for diffusing the fluid stream prior to reaching the plurality of channels.
A method of purging air in front of an optical sensor, comprising:
- providing a lens having a first side and a second side, a plenum including an inlet, an array of parallel channels, and an outlet, and an optical sensor located on the first side of the lens;
- channeling a turbulent fluid stream through the array of parallel channels, thereby changing the turbulent fluid stream to a substantially laminar fluid stream;
- and
- exiting the substantially laminar fluid stream substantially parallel to the second side of the lens.
A method of purging air in front of an optical sensor, comprising:
- providing a lens having a first side and a second side, a plenum including an inlet, an array of parallel channels, and an outlet, an optical sensor located on the first side of the lens, and a diffuser located between the inlet and the outlet of the plenum;
- channeling a fluid stream through a diffuser prior to entering the plurality of channels;
- changing the fluid stream from a laminar fluid stream to a turbulent fluid stream;
- channeling the turbulent fluid stream through the array of parallel channels, thereby changing the turbulent fluid stream to a substantially laminar fluid stream;
- and
- exiting the laminar fluid stream substantially parallel to the second side of the lens.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.