Apparatus, systems and methods for debris removal from an antenna

Debris removal systems and methods are operable to remove debris, such as snow, from a surface. An exemplary embodiment has a wiper blade configured to remove debris from a surface in response to a movement of the wiper blade; a spring coupled to the wiper blade, wherein the spring is configured to store potential energy as the spring is biased from a relaxed position to a biased position; and a motor coupled to the spring, wherein the motor is configured to convert received electrical power into mechanical power that biases the spring. The spring is released from the biased position to release the stored potential energy as the spring returns to the relaxed position. The released potential energy from the spring is converted to mechanical energy that moves the wiper blade.

BACKGROUND

Satellite antennas, also referred to as dishes, may accumulate debris that interferes with the intended purpose of the devices. Debris may include snow, ice, dirt, dust, or other matter. Such debris may accumulate on a signal-receiving or signal-transmitting surface that is exposed to an ambient environment. For example, a satellite dish may accumulate snow on its surface that blocks or interferes with the reception or transmission of communication signals. Accordingly, when performance of the satellite dish is degraded due to debris accumulation on an exposed surface, the surface will require removal of the debris.

In some situations, the surface of the antenna may be periodically cleaned so as to reliably maintain the performance characteristics of the antenna. Debris may be removed manually from the surface of the antenna. However, there may be an undesirable time delay while service personnel are dispatched to perform the manual task of debris removal. And, the attendant labor charges may be relatively expensive.

In other situations, the debris may be removed from the surface of the antenna using a debris-removing device, such as a heater or the like, when the debris is snow and/or ice. However, such debris removal devices require a source of power. Accordingly, the initial cost of the electronic debris removal device, the cost of the power source, and the associated operating costs of such electronic debris removal devices and their associated power source may be relatively expensive.

Accordingly, there is a need in the arts for improved antenna debris removal devices and methods.

SUMMARY

Systems and methods of removing debris from a surface are disclosed. An exemplary embodiment has a wiper blade configured to remove debris from a surface in response to a movement of the wiper blade; a spring coupled to the wiper blade, wherein the spring is configured to store potential energy as the spring is biased from a relaxed position to a biased position; and a motor coupled to the spring, wherein the motor is configured to convert received electrical power into mechanical power that biases the spring. The spring is released from the biased position to release the stored potential energy as the spring returns to the relaxed position. The released potential energy from the spring is converted to mechanical energy that moves the wiper blade.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1is a block diagram of an embodiment of an exemplary debris removal system100. Embodiments of the debris removal system100comprise a power source102, a spring biasing system104, a wiper blade106, an optional interface device108, and optional processor system110, and one or more optional sensors112. The debris removal system100is configured so that actuation of the wiper blade106over, or in proximity to, a surface114of an antenna116causes removal of debris118that has accumulated on the surface114.

The spring biasing system104is configured to convert electrical power received from the power source102into mechanical energy over a period of time prior to actuation of the wiper blade106. Thus, the power source102may be a low capacity power device that provides the requisite low level of power over a relatively long period of time that is necessary for actuation of the wiper blade106. The power source102is preferably a renewable energy power source that generates power from energy provided by the environment. The power source102provides electrical energy at a relatively low level of current and/or voltage over a relatively long duration of time so as to minimize the capacity of the power source102. That is, the current and/or voltage of the electrical power provided by the power source102is not sufficient to operate the wiper blade106on a real time, or near real time, basis.

The spring biasing system104is coupled to the wiper blade106via a wiper rotor120. The wiper rotor120positions and orients the wiper blade106with respect to the surface114of the antenna116. When actuated, the spring biasing system104provides a rotational force to the wiper rotor120so that the wiper blade106rotates, thereby dislodging the debris118. In other embodiments, the spring biasing system104may be coupled to the wiper blade106such that the wiper blade106may be moved in a linear manner over the surface114of the antenna116.

In some embodiments, the interface device108is communicatively coupled to the spring biasing system104via connection122. When a suitable input is provided on connection124to the interface device108, the spring biasing system104is actuated to move the wiper blade106so as to dislodge the debris118. In some embodiments, the interface device108is an electrical device that generates an electrical communication signal that is communicated to the spring biasing system104over the connection122. In other embodiments, the interface device108is a mechanical device that causes a physical movement or the like of the connection122.

In some embodiments, the interface device108is communicatively coupled to the processor system110via connection126. When a suitable input is provided on the connection124to the interface device108, a suitable control signal is communicated from the interface device108to the processor system110, via the connection126. In response to receiving the control signal from the interface device108, the processor system110communicates a second suitable electrical control signal, via connection128, to the spring biasing system104. In response to receiving the control signal, the spring biasing system104moves the wiper blade106so as to dislodge the debris118.

Alternatively, or additionally, the processor system110may communicate a suitable control signal, via connection130, to the power source102. In response to receiving the control signal from the processor system110, the power source102provides power to the spring biasing system104, via connection132, which in turn powers the spring biasing system104to move the wiper blade106so as to dislodge the debris118.

Some embodiments include one or more sensors112. The sensors monitor the condition of the surface114such that the spring biasing system104moves the wiper blade106so as to dislodge the debris118when the monitored condition reaches a threshold value. Non-limiting examples include a debris sensor112a, a moisture sensor112b, a temperature (temp) sensor112c, and/or a signal sensor112d. The sensors112are configured to monitor the antenna116and/or ambient conditions that are related to the accumulation of the debris118on the surface114of the antenna116.

For example, the debris sensor112amay monitor a weight of the antenna116or a pressure exerted on a portion of the surface114. An increase in weight or pressure to a predefined threshold value may be associated with an accumulation of the debris118, such as snow and/or ice, on the surface114of the antenna116. In response to a signal communicated from the debris sensor112ato the processor system110, the processor system110then generates the control signal that actuates the spring biasing system104.

Similarly, the moisture sensor112bmay sense accumulation of moisture, or changes in moisture, on the surface114. An increase and/or change of sensed moisture to a predefined threshold value may be associated with the accumulation of the debris118, such as snow and/or ice. In response to a signal communicated from the moisture sensor112bto the processor system110, the processor system then generates a control signal that actuates the spring biasing system104.

Temperature may also be associated with accumulation of the debris118on the surface114of the antenna116. For example, when the ambient temperature of the surface114drops below a predefined threshold value, it may be known that snow, ice, or the like has likely accumulated on the surface114. In response to a signal communicated from the temperature sensor112cto the processor system110, the processor system then generates a control signal that actuates the spring biasing system104.

Additionally, or alternatively, the signal sensor112dmay sense a characteristic of a signal detected at the antenna116, such as, but not limited to, signal strength, signal quality, and/or signal noise. When the signal characteristic drops to or below a predefined threshold value, a signal communicated from the signal sensor112dto the processor system110. In response to receiving the signal form the signal sensor112d, the processor system generates a control signal that actuates the spring biasing system104.

Additionally, or alternatively, the processor system110may be communicatively coupled to the power source102for management of various power functions related to the accumulation and/or delivery of electrical power by the power source102. For example, the power source102may include a battery134or other suitable power storage element (not shown). The processor system110may be configured to monitor power levels in the battery134such that the power source102stops accumulating power when the battery134becomes fully charged.

The interface device108may be a mechanical device. For example, the connection124may be a cord, string, wire or the like that is manually actuated by a person. For example, if the accumulation of the debris118, such as snow and/or ice, interferes with signal reception of the antenna116, the user may walk outside to reach the cord, string, wire or the like to manually actuate the debris removal system100to dislodge the debris118.

Alternatively, or additionally, the interface device108may be an electronic device that receives a suitable control signal via the connection124from a remote device136. Accordingly, the connection124may be a wire-based connection, such as by a conductor, cable, or the like, or may be a wireless connection, such as a radio frequency (RF) or an infrared connection (IR). Non-limiting examples of the remote device136include a remote control or an electronic device, such as a set top box or other consumer appliance. The control signal may be initiated by a person using the remote control or other consumer appliance. Alternatively, or additionally, the signal may be initiated remotely using the set top box or the other consumer appliance.

Some embodiments may have two or more interface devices108. For example, a first mechanical interface device108may be an electronic device and a second interface device108may be a mechanical device.

FIG. 2is a perspective view of an embodiment of a debris removal system100employing a solar cell array202. The solar cell array202is a suitable solar cell device that generates power upon receiving incident sunlight. Alternatively, or additionally, the power source102may be a suitable wind turbine that generates the power. Other sources of power may be used in other embodiments.

FIG. 3is a block diagram of an embodiment of a debris removal system100employing a spring device302. This exemplary embodiment further comprises a motor304, an optional spring latch device306, and a wiper rotor coupler308.

The motor304may be any suitable electromechanical device that converts electrical power to mechanical power. The motor304may be a rotating machine, such as an alternating current (AC) motor or a direct current motor (DC). In other embodiments, the motor304may be a linear machine, such as solenoid or memory wire.

When power is provided over the connection132to the motor304, a motor coupler310operates so as to bias a spring312so that the spring312is moved from a relaxed position to a biased position. That is, the motor304converts electrical power into mechanical power that is used to bias the spring312.

As used herein, the term “bias” refers to applying a force to the spring that displaces a position of the spring. The spring312is initially in a relaxed position. The “relaxed position” as used herein refers to an initial position or configuration of the spring312wherein the potential energy in the spring312is zero, or is relatively small. In the various embodiments, the biasing of the spring312continues until the spring312reaches a predetermined position or configuration, referred to as a “bias position” of the spring312. At the end of the biasing process, the spring312is restrained in its biased position. The amount of force applied to the spring312during the biasing period results in a build up of potential energy in the spring312.

In some embodiments, the motor304retains the spring312in its biased position. That is, the motor304cocks the spring device302until the spring312is biased to its biased position. Upon receipt of a release signal via the connection130, the motor304releases the biased spring312.

In other embodiments, a spring latch device306locks the spring312in the biased position. That is, the motor304cocks the spring device302until the spring312is biased to its biased position, and is optionally latched by the spring device302. Upon receipt of a release signal via connections122or128, the spring latch device306releases the biased spring312.

Upon receipt of a release signal via connection122or128, the spring312is released and moves from its biased position to its relaxed position. That is, the potential energy stored in the biased spring is released as the spring312moves from its biased position to its relaxed position.

The wiper rotor coupler308physically couples the spring device302to the wiper rotor120. Accordingly, as the spring312is released and moves from its biased position to its relaxed position, the wiper rotor coupler308converts the potential energy provided by the spring312into a rotational force that rotates the wiper rotor120.

The spring312may employ any suitable structure that may be biased to store a sufficient amount of energy to move the wiper blade106so that accumulation of the debris118on the surface114of the antenna116is dislodged. The spring312may be a coil spring, a helical spring, a spiral spring, a volute spring, or any other suitable spring device. Preferably, since the power source102provides energy at a relatively low level of current and/or voltage over a relatively long duration of time, the biasing of the spring312may be gradually performed over time as electrical power becomes available from the power source102.

The spring latch device306may be any suitable mechanical device, electrical device, or combination thereof. For example, the connection122may be a suitable trip wire or other physical structure that is coupled to a latching element (not shown) in the spring latch device306. The interface device108may move or otherwise actuate the connection122so as to cause sufficient movement of the latching element of the spring latch device306so that the spring device302is then released.

As another non-limiting example, the connection122or128may be a communication wire configured to communicate an electrical signal from the interface device108or the processor system110, respectively, to the latching element (not shown) in the spring latch device306. The signal communicated via the connection122or128may actuate an electro-mechanical switch (not shown) in the spring latch device306so that the spring device302is then released.

Some embodiments may use two or more springs312and/or may use multiple wiper blades106. Thus, a plurality of wiper movements may be performed using previously accumulated electrical power.

FIG. 4is a block diagram of an alternative embodiment of a debris removal system100employing a motor304that operates the wiper blade106. The motor304may be a low power motor that draws a sufficient amount of stored power from the battery134to directly operate the wiper blade106. Suitable gears (not shown) may be used to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the operation of the motor304.

Other embodiments may be configured to remove debris or the like from the surfaces of other devices. For example, an embodiment may be configured to remove snow from the lens of a light or from the roof of a tent or other structure.

It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of the debris removal system100are merely possible examples of implementations of the invention. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and protected by the following claims.