Patent Publication Number: US-2021181501-A1

Title: Dust mitigation for optical devices

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure generally relates to dust mitigation devices and methods, and more specifically to an enclosure for an optical device used in high debris environments. 
     BACKGROUND 
     A variety of optical devices are used in environments with a high amount of dust, debris, or other contaminants, such as construction, mining, military, or agricultural sites or locations. Such optical devices may be used to improve visibility for users, such as onboard operators, to remotely view and/or operate a piece of machinery, or to monitor an environment. The optical devices may be used with autonomous vehicles such as ground-based vehicles, air-based vehicles, or any other type of vehicle. The high amount of dust or debris may gather, clump, or otherwise settle on a lens of such an optical device, thereby obscuring the lens and preventing the optical device from operating properly. For example, a high amount of dust expelled from a drilling operation may accumulate on the lens of a remote monitoring camera and prevent the remote monitoring. 
     When the optical device becomes dirty, periodic maintenance is needed to clean the optical device. Some environments have an extreme amount of dust or debris which requires frequent cleaning of the optical device. The periodic maintenance may require in site operations to cease while the optical device is cleaned. The cleaning may be additionally troublesome if the optical device is located in a relatively inaccessible position and/or if additional service personnel are needed for cleaning. These difficulties may be further compounded when the optical device is used in conjunction with remotely operated equipment or machinery. The amount of dust and debris in such locations may be unsafe or unhealthy for people. As such, service personnel are often required in environments in which people are not or should not be present. Further, the optical device may be in a location which is difficult to access, thereby requiring specialized equipment to clean the optical device. 
     Due to the time, care, and specialized tools required to keep such optical devices clean, it has become common to use additional equipment with such optical devices to remotely clean the optical devices. While such additional equipment provides the ability to clean the optical devices once they get dirty without the need of additional service personnel, the additional equipment does not prevent the optical device from getting dirty and may require site operations to cease such that the additional equipment may clean the optical device. 
     U.S. Patent Application Publication Number 2016/0103316, titled “Device for cleaning a motor vehicle driving aid camera,” discloses a cleaning device for a cleaning a lens of a camera via a plurality of nozzles and a cleaning liquid. While the disclosed track joint link includes a threaded pivot pin which may secure the pairs of track links by threading the pivot pin through threaded openings in the track links, the cleaning device does not prevent the lens of the optical device from getting dirty. 
     SUMMARY 
     In accordance with aspects of this disclosure, there is provided a system for dust mitigation in an environment with high amounts of debris. The system includes an optical device including a lens disposed in a front end, an enclosure including an air input aperture and a lens aperture and defining an interior volume, and a hose connected to the air input aperture of the enclosure. The hose may supply clean air into the interior volume of the enclosure. Clean air may flow into the air input aperture, around the optical device, over the lens of the optical device, and out the lens aperture of the enclosure. 
     In accordance with other aspects, there is provided a method for mitigating dust in an environment with high amounts of debris. The method includes placing an optical device within an interior volume of an enclosure, securing the optical device within the enclosure such that a lens of the optical device is near and aligned with a lens aperture of the enclosure, attaching a hose to an air input of the enclosure, and providing a positive flow of air into the air input aperture, over the lens of the optical device, and out the lens aperture of the enclosure. 
     In accordance with other aspects, there is provided an optical device for use in an environment with high amounts of debris. The optical device includes a lens, a lens aperture aligned with the lends, an air input aperture, and a power source which may provide power to the lens. The clean air may be provided into the air input aperture, over the lens, and out the lens aperture. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description of embodiments using the accompanying drawings. In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective schematic view of an exemplary embodiment of an optical device; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective schematic view of an exemplary embodiment of an enclosure; 
         FIG. 3  is perspective schematic view of an exemplary embodiment of a system for debris mitigation including the optical device of  FIG. 1  and the enclosure of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a flow chart of a method for mitigating dust in an environment with high amounts of debris; and 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a system for debris mitigation according to another embodiment. 
     
    
    
     While the following detailed description will be given with respect to certain illustrative embodiments, it should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale and the disclosed embodiments are sometimes illustrated diagrammatically and in partial views. In addition, in certain instances, details which are not necessary for an understanding of the disclosed subject matter or which render other details too difficult to perceive may have been omitted. It should therefore be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed and illustrated herein, but rather to a fair reading of the entire disclosure and claims, as well as any equivalents thereto. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , an optical device  10  is shown. The optical device  10  may be any type of optical device used in an environment subject to a large amount of dust or other debris, such as a manufacturing or machining site. For example, the optical device  10  may be a video camera, an infrared camera, a spectrum camera, a lamp, an infrared sensor, a radar detector, a laser, a light sensor, or any other optical instrument. In the illustrated embodiment, the optical device  10  is a lamp. 
     The optical device  10  has a front end  12  and a rear end  14 . The front end  12  includes a front surface or lens  16 . The lens  16  may be a camera lens, a lamp lens, a touch screen, or similar front surface of an optical device. The lens  16  may allow the optical device  10  to illuminate, view, capture, or sense the ambient environment in which the optical device  10  is placed. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 3 , the optical device  10  may also include or be electrically connected to a power source  17 . The power source  17  may be an external source of power, such as an engine, generator, power grid, or similar source of power, electrically connected to the optical device  10 . The optical device  10  may be electrically connected to the power source  17  via a cable or conduit  18  for conveying power. Alternatively, the power source  17  may be a battery affixed, internal, or integral to the device  10 . In the illustrated embodiment, the power source  17  is an external source of power electrically connected to the optical device  10  via a cable  18  attached to the rear end  14  of the optical device  10 . The power source  17  may deliver a constant flow of energy or power to the optical device  10 . 
     The optical device  10  may be remotely operated and controlled and may also include one or more controls (not shown) for user operation of the optical device  10 . The controls may be buttons, knobs, sliders, dials, or any other mechanisms which a user may press or manipulate to adjust the functionality of the optical device  10 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , an enclosure  50  is shown which may be used with the optical device  10 . In the illustrated embodiment, the enclosure  50  is a generally rectangular box with a front end  52 , a rear end  54 , a first side  56 , a second side  58 , a top surface  60 , and a bottom surface  62 . The front end  52 , the rear end  54 , the first side  56 , the second side  58 , the top surface  60 , and the bottom surface  62  define an interior space or volume H. The enclosure  50  may be sized and shaped to fit the optical device  10  in the interior volume H of the enclosure  50 . Additionally, the enclosure  50  may be sized and shaped to correspond to the size and shape of the optical device  10 . While the enclosure  50  has been depicted as a generally rectangular box, it will be appreciated that the enclosure  50  may take a variety of shapes. For example, the enclosure  50  may be rounded, substantially the same shape as the optical device  10 , or any other suitable shape. 
     The front end  52  of the enclosure  50  includes a lens opening or aperture  64 . The aperture  64  may be sized, shaped, and positioned in the front end  52  to correspond to the lens  16  of the optical device  10 , as detailed below. The lens aperture  64  may be substantially the same size and shape as the lens  16  of the electronic device. 
     The enclosure  50  includes an air input aperture or passage  66 . The air input aperture  66  may provide a supply of clean air into the interior volume H of the enclosure  50 . In the illustrated embodiment, the air input aperture  66  is located in the rear end  54  near the first side  56  and the bottom surface  62 . However, the air input aperture  66  may be in other locations. For example, the air input aperture  66  may be anywhere in the enclosure  50  such that air entering the interior volume H of the enclosure  50  may provide a positive flow of air around the optical device  10  and out of the lens aperture  64 , as described below. 
     The air input aperture  66  of the enclosure  50  may be sized, shaped, or otherwise configured to receive or couple with a conduit  70 . For example, the air input aperture  66  and the conduit  70  may be configured to threadingly connect. The conduit  70  may be a hose, pipe, tube, duct, or similar conduit which may convey a gas. The conduit  70  may be connected to a clean air or gas supply  72  to supply a positive flow of clean air or gas through the air input aperture  66  and into the interior volume H of the enclosure  50 . The gas supply  72  may be a pressurized tank containing oxygen, air, or other gas which may mitigate accumulation of dust on the lens  16  of the optical device  10 , as detailed below. Additionally, the gas supply  72  may be a blower, fan, or similar device capable of supplying a flow of gas or air. 
     The enclosure  50  may include a cable channel or passage  68 . The cable passage  68  may be sized and shaped to fit or receive the cable  18  electrically connecting the optical device  10  to the power source  17 . The enclosure  50  may include a seal  74  disposed between the cable passage  68  and cable  18 . The seal  74  may be a grommet, a gland, a press fit seal, a snap fit seal, or any other seal which may maintain a substantially airtight seal between the cable passage  68  of the enclosure  50  and cable electrically connected the power source  17 . The seal  74  may be designed or configure such that it may be placed between the cable passage  68  and cable  18  after the cable  18  has been fit or placed through the cable passage  68  of the enclosure  50 . 
     The enclosure  50  may be configured, formed, or otherwise constructed in a variety of ways to accommodate the optical device  10  within the interior volume H of the enclosure  50  and to provide a substantially airtight volume around the optical device  10  apart from the lens aperture  64  and the air input aperture  66 . For example, the enclosure  50  may be split into two securable parts such that the pieces of the enclosure  50  may be put together around the optical device  10  and then secured. Alternatively, the enclosure  50  may be formed or constructed around the optical device  10 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , a system  100  for dust or debris mitigation is shown. The system  100  includes the optical device  10  mounted within the enclosure  50 . The optical device  10  may be mounted within the enclosure  50  with one or more fasteners  80 . The optical device  10  may be positioned within the enclosure  50  such that the lens  16  of the optical device  10  is near and substantially aligned with the lens aperture  64  of the enclosure  50 . The optical device  10  may be positioned within the enclosure  50  such that air may flow into the air input aperture  66 , around the optical device  10 , over the lens  16  of the optical device  10 , and out the lens aperture  64  of the enclosure  50 , as detailed below. The gas supply  72  may provide a continuous flow of clean air to the system  100 . Once the optical device  10  is properly positioned within the enclosure  50 , the optical device  10  may be secured in the enclosure  50  via one or more fasteners  80 . The one or more fasteners  80  may extend through the enclosure  50  and into the optical device  10  to secure the device  10 . The one or more fasteners  80  may extend through one or more preformed passages in the enclosure  50  and into one or more preformed passages in the optical device  10 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , a stand or mount  82  may be affixed to the enclosure  50  of the system  100 . The mount  82  may be affixed to the enclosure  50  via a weld, one or more fasteners, or any other suitable connections. The mount  82  may be pivotable, maneuverable, or otherwise positionable. The mount  82  may be used to affix or otherwise secure the system  100  to a machine, structure, or other location in which the optical device  10  and enclosure  50  will be used. Alternatively, the system  100  may be attached or otherwise secured directly to the machine, structure, or other desired location. The system  100  may be positioned and the optical device  10  and the enclosure  50  may be aligned such that the lens  16  of the optical device  10  is directed in the desired direction. 
     Further, the enclosure  50  may optionally include additional apertures (not pictured). The additional apertures may correspond to knobs, controls or other similar features of the optical device  10 . The additional apertures may allow a user to manipulate the controls of the optical device  10  once the optical device  10  had been positioned within the enclosure  50 . 
     Once the system  100  has been affixed in the desired location and position, the conduit  70  may be connected to the air input aperture  66  of the enclosure  50  and clean air may be fed from the gas supply  72 , through the conduit  70 , and into the interior volume H of the enclosure  50 . The clean air may then flow around the optical device  10  in the enclosure  50 , over the lens  16  of the optical device  10 , and out the lens aperture  64  of the enclosure  50 . A constant supply of clean air may be provided through the air input aperture  66  such that there is a constant flow of clean air over the lens  16  of the optical device  10 . The constant flow of clean air over the lens  16  of the optical device  10  may prevent dust or similar debris from landing or settling on the lens  16  of the optical device  10 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , a method for debris mitigation in environment with high amounts of debris  500  is depicted. In step  502 , the optical device  10  is placed within the enclosure  50 . As described above, the optical device  10  may be placed in the interior volume H of the enclosure  50  and the enclosure  50  may be pieced together or formed around the optical device  10 . 
     Optionally, in step  503 , the power source  17  of the optical device  10  may be passed through the cable passage  68  of the enclosure  50 . The seal  74  may be placed between the power source  17  and the cable passage  68  to provide a substantially airtight seal between the cable passage  68  and the power source  17 . The seal  74  may be a grommet or gland that is adjusted after the power source  17  is passed through the cable passage  68 , a press-fit or snap-fit seal, or any other method or device of sealing the cable passage  68  against the power source  17 . However, if the power source  17  is a battery pack or similar power source, the system  100  may not include a cable passage  68  or seal  74 . 
     In step  504 , the optical device  10  is secured within the enclosure  50  such that the lens  16  of the optical device  10  is near and aligned with the lens aperture  64  of the enclosure  50 . The optical device  10  may be placed in the enclosure  50  such that air may pass between the optical device  10  and the enclosure  50  and out of the lens aperture  64 . The optical device  10  may be secured within the enclosure  50  via one or more fasteners  80 . 
     Optionally, in step  505 , the system  100  may be affixed to a desired piece of equipment, machine, or other suitable structure. The system  100  may be affixed to the equipment, machine, or other suitable structure via the mount  82 . One end of the mount  82  may be secured to the system  100  and the other end of the mount  82  may be secured to the equipment, machine, or structure. The system  100  may be positioned, rotated, or aligned such that the lens  16  of the optical device  10  faces the desired direction. 
     In step  506 , the conduit  70  may be attached to the air input aperture  66  of the enclosure  50 . The air input aperture  66  and the conduit  70  may be threadingly connected. The conduit  70  may be connected to the gas supply  72  to supply a positive flow of clean air through the air input aperture  66  and into the interior volume H of the enclosure  50 . 
     In step  508 , a positive flow of clean air or gas is provided into the air input aperture  66 , around at portion of the optical device  10 , and over the lens  16  of the optical device  10 . Between the air input aperture  66  and the lens  16  of the optical device  10 , the air or gas may flow around a portion or substantially all of the optical device  10 . At least a portion of the air or gas may then flow out the lens aperture  64  of the enclosure  50 . The clean air or gas may be provided via the gas supply  72  to maintain a positive flow of air or gas within the enclosure  50 . The clean air may be provided into the enclosure  50  at a pressure sufficient to ensure that dust or similar debris does not settle or gather on the lens  16  of the optical device  10 . For example, the air pressure may be adjusted based on the size of the lens aperture  64 , the mass of the debris in the environment, the velocity of the debris in the environment, or any other factor or combination of factors which may affect the accumulation of debris on a lens. 
     In step  510 , a positive air pressure is maintained in the enclosure  50  such that a constant flow of clean air or gas may blow over the lens  16  of the optical device  10 . Alternatively or in addition, the positive air pressure may be maintained such that a constant flow of clean air or gas may be blown out of the lens aperture  64  of the enclosure  50 . The pressure of the air may be such that dust or other similar debris in the environment is prevented from settling or gathering on the lens  16  of the optical device  10 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , the system  100  for debris mitigation is depicted according to another embodiment. In the depicted embodiment, the optical device  10  and the enclosure  50  are incorporated into a single component. The optical device  10  may be any type of device described herein. The optical device  10  may include a lens  16 , a power source  17 , a lens aperture  64 , and an air input aperture  66 , similarly to as detailed above. The interior of the optical device  10  may define an interior space which permits air to flow from the air input aperture  66  to the lens aperture  64 . Additionally, the optical device  10  may incorporate one or more air outlet apertures  84  near or in the bezels of the optical device  10  to provide airflow over the lens  16 . The system  100  may operate in substantially the same manner as previously described herein. 
     INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
     The system  100  for debris mitigation and method for debris mitigation may be integrated with a structure or machine used where a clean optical device lens is required including, but not limited to, environments with high amounts of dust and debris, such as drilling or mining operations. By incorporating the disclosed system  100  for debris mitigation of the present disclosure, the operability of an optical device  10  may be maintained even when the optical device  10  is used in environments with extreme amounts of dust or similar debris. Further, when the optical device  10  and an enclosure  50  are supplied with a constant flow of clean air, dust or similar debris may be prevented from settling on the lens  16  of the optical device  10 . Moreover, where dust or similar debris is prevented from settling on the lens  16  of the optical device  10 , the lens  16  of the optical device  10  does not need to cleaned, time is not required to stop operations and clean the lens  16  of the optical device  10 , service personnel are not required to clean the lens  16  which may be located in inaccessible areas or on remotely operated equipment, and special equipment is not required to clean the lens  16  in a hard to reach position or location. 
     The inventive system  100  for mitigating dust includes an optical device  10  with a lens  16  and an enclosure  50  with a lens aperture  64  and an air input aperture  66 . The optical device  10  may be positioned within the enclosure  50  and/or the enclosure  50  may be configured to allow a flow of gas or air from the air input aperture  66 , over the lens  16  of the optical device  10 , and out the lens aperture  64 . A constant flow of clean air or gas may be provided through the air input aperture  66 , such as from a clean air or gas source  72  via a conduit  70 , such that a flow of gas across the lens  16  of the optical device  10  and/or a flow of gas out of the aperture  64  prevents dust or similar debris from accumulating on the lens  16  of the optical device  10 . 
     The system  100  may be utilized in an inventive method for debris mitigation in environments with high amounts of dust and debris. The inventive method for debris mitigation includes placing an optical device  10  within an enclosure  50 , securing a lens  16  of the optical device  10  near and aligned with a lens aperture  64  of the enclosure  50 , attaching a conduit  70  to an air input aperture  66  of the enclosure  50 , and providing a flow of clean air into the air input aperture  66 , around the optical device  10 , over the lens  16  of the optical device  10 , and out the lens aperture  64  of the enclosure  50 . Optionally, the method may include passing a power source  17  of the optical device  10  through a cable passage  68  of the enclosure  50 . A seal  74  may be placed between the cable passage  68  and the power source  17 . Further still, the method may optionally include affixing the system  100  to a desired piece of equipment, machine, or other suitable structure, such as via a mount  82 . The optical device  10  and the enclosure  50  may then be positioned, rotated, or aligned such that the lens  16  of the optical device is facing the desired direction. 
     The system  100  for debris mitigation and method for debris mitigation may be integrated with a structure or machine used where a clean optical device lens is required including, but not limited to, environments with high amounts of dust and debris, such as drilling or mining operations. A constant flow of clean air may be provided through the air input aperture  66  such that a constant flow of clean air is maintained over the lens  16  of the optical device  10 . The flow of clean air over the lens  16  may keep the lens  16  clean. 
     Because the air input aperture  66  may provide a constant flow of clean air into the enclosure  50 , around the optical device  10 , over the lens  16  of the optical device  10 , and out of the system  100  through the lens aperture  64  of the enclosure  50 , dust and similar debris may be prevent from landing, settling, or otherwise gathering on the lens  16  of the optical device  10 . This ability to prevent dust or similar debris from gathering on the lens  16  of the optical device  10  may prevent the lens  16  of the optical device  10  from getting dirty. As the lens  16  of the optical device  10  may not become dirty, the lens  16  of the optical device  10  would not need to be cleaned, thereby eliminating down time and service personnel required to clean the lens  16  of the optical device  10  which may be in an inaccessible or hazardous location. 
     In view of the many possible embodiments to which the principles of the disclosure can be applied, it should be recognized that the illustrated embodiments are only preferred examples and should not be taken as limiting the scope of the disclosure. Rather the scope of the disclosure is defined by the following claims. 
     It will be appreciated that the foregoing description provides examples of the disclosed apparatus and system. However, it is contemplated that other implementations of the disclosure may differ in detail from the foregoing examples. All references to the disclosure or examples thereof are intended to reference the particular example being discussed at that point and are not intended to imply any limitation as to the scope of the disclosure more generally. All language of distinction and disparagement with respect to certain features is intended to indicate a lack of preference for those features, but not to exclude such from the scope of the disclosure entirely unless otherwise indicated. 
     Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. 
     ELEMENT LIST 
       
     
       
         
           
               
               
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Element Number 
                 Element Name 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
            
               
                 10 
                 optical device 
               
               
                 12 
                 front end 
               
               
                 14 
                 rear end 
               
               
                 16 
                 lens 
               
               
                 17 
                 power source 
               
               
                 18 
                 conduit 
               
               
                 50 
                 enclosure 
               
               
                 52 
                 front end 
               
               
                 54 
                 rear end 
               
               
                 56 
                 first side 
               
               
                 58 
                 second side 
               
               
                 60 
                 top surface 
               
               
                 62 
                 bottom surface 
               
               
                 64 
                 aperture 
               
               
                 66 
                 passage 
               
               
                 68 
                 passage 
               
               
                 70 
                 conduit 
               
               
                 72 
                 gas supply 
               
               
                 74 
                 seal 
               
               
                 80 
                 fasteners 
               
               
                 82 
                 mount 
               
               
                 84 
                 air outlet apertures 
               
               
                 100 
                 system 
               
               
                 500 
                 debris 
               
               
                 502 
                 step 
               
               
                 503 
                 step 
               
               
                 504 
                 step 
               
               
                 505 
                 step 
               
               
                 506 
                 step 
               
               
                 508 
                 step 
               
               
                 510 
                 step