Environmentally sealed cameras for mounting externally on aircraft and systems for using the same

• US 20020067424A1
• Filed: 12/01/2000
• Published: 06/06/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/01/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Joseph F. Brunner Jr
• Original Assignee: Joseph F. Brunner Jr
• Inventors: Brunner, Joseph F. Jr.
• Application Number:
  US09/728,772
• Publication Number:
  US 20020067424A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/373
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 47/08 Arrangements of cameras

Abstract

An aircraft-mounted camera system includes a camera and a housing that conforms to the topography of an aircraft. A camera is attached to a small window that includes a conductive-film heating element. The camera and window are seated within the housing receptacle, and held in place by an epoxy filler that also serves to insulate the camera from vibration. The camera system is attached to the outer body of the aircraft using a backing plate. The aircraft-mounted camera system may be easily manufactured at low cost, and can serve several functions, including pilot aircraft observation and passenger entertainment when connected to an in-cabin display.

Claims

1. A camera system for mounting to an aircraft having a topography, the camera system comprising:

a housing including a flange and a receptacle, the flange being configured to complement the topography of the aircraft, the receptacle having an opening and an inner surface;

a window fixed within the opening of the receptacle;

a camera disposed within the receptacle having optical communication with the window, a space being defined between the camera and the inner surface of the receptacle; and

a filler disposed in the space to seal the camera within the receptacle.

2. A camera system as claimed in claim 1 wherein:

the filler is an adhesive compound.

3. A camera system as claimed in claim 1 wherein:

the filler is epoxy.

4. A camera system as claimed in claim 1 further comprising:

a heater configured to heat the window

5. A camera system as claimed in claim 4 wherein the heater includes:

a conductive film disposed upon the window; and

a pair of wires connected to the conductive film.

6. A camera system as claimed in claim 1 wherein:

the window includes sapphire.

7. A camera system for external mounting to an aircraft having a topography, the camera system comprising:

a housing including a flange and a receptacle, the flange being configured to complement the topography of the aircraft, the receptacle having an opening;

a window fixed within the opening of the receptacle;

a heater configured to heat the window; and

a camera disposed within the receptacle having optical communication with the window.

8. A camera system as claimed in claim 7 wherein the heater includes:

a conductive film disposed on the window; and

a pair of wires connected to the conductive film.

9. A camera system as claimed in claim 7 wherein the window is sapphire.

10. A camera system as claimed in claim 7 wherein a space is defined between the camera and an inner surface of the receptacle;

a filler occupying the space to seal the camera within the receptacle

11. A camera system as claimed in claim 10 wherein:

the filler is an adhesive compound.

12. A camera system as claimed in claim 11 wherein the adhesive compound is epoxy.