AUTOMATED CAMERA CLEANING SYSTEM

• US 20120000024A1
• Filed: 06/30/2010
• Published: 01/05/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Raytheon Company (Rtx Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Raytheon Company (Rtx Corporation)
• Inventors: Layton, Jacob Kyle
• Application Number:
  US12/827,262
• Publication Number:
  US 20120000024A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 15/97.1
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 11/00 Filters or other obturators specially adapted for photographic purposes
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/08 Waterproof bodies or housings
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/56 Accessories carrying-cases A45C11/38
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/00 Cameras or camera modules comprising electronic image sensors; Control thereof

Abstract

Embodiments of an automated camera cleaning system are provided. In one embodiment, the automated camera cleaning system includes an optical path, an optically-transmissive lens shield through which the optical path extends, a housing in which the optically-transmissive lens shield is at least partially disposed, and a motor coupled to the lens shield. When energized, the motor moves the optically-transmissive lens shield relative to the housing to vary the region of the optically-transmissive lens shield positioned in the optical path.

Claims

1. An automated camera cleaning system, comprising:

an optical path;

an optically-transmissive lens shield through which the optical path extends;

a housing in which the optically-transmissive lens shield is at least partially disposed; and

a motor coupled to the optically-transmissive lens shield and, when energized, configured to move the optically-transmissive lens shield relative to the housing to vary the region of the optically-transmissive lens shield positioned in the optical path.

2. An automated camera cleaning system according to claim 1 wherein the optical path extends through the housing.

3. An automated camera cleaning system according to claim 1 wherein the motor is configured to continually rotate the optically-transmissive lens shield about a rotational axis, when the motor is energized.

4. An automated camera cleaning system according to claim 3 wherein the rotational axis and the optical path are substantially parallel.

5. An automated camera cleaning system according to claim 1 wherein the optically-transmissive lens shield comprises a disc.

6. An automated camera cleaning system according to claim 5 wherein the housing comprises a substantially cylindrical cavity in which the disc is rotatably mounted.

7. An automated camera cleaning system according to claim 1 further comprising a wiper blade coupled to the housing and configured to wipe across the optically-transmissive lens shield to remove debris therefrom as the optically-transmissive lens shield is moved relative to the housing.

8. An automated camera cleaning system according to claim 7 wherein the housing comprises a front aperture and a rear aperture substantially aligned with the front aperture, as taken along the longitudinal axis of the housing, the optical path extending through the front aperture and through the rear aperture.

9. An automated camera cleaning system according to claim 8 further comprising a camera coupled to the housing over the rear aperture.

10. An automated camera cleaning system according to claim 9 wherein the camera is positioned adjacent and is substantially parallel to the motor.

11. An automated camera cleaning system according to claim 8 wherein the wiper blade is at least partially disposed within the front aperture.

12. An automated camera cleaning system according to claim 8 further comprising a debris chute formed through the housing proximate the front aperture.

13. An automated camera cleaning system according to claim 1 further comprising a first cleaning pad disposed within the housing and contacting a first face of the optically-transmissive lens shield.

14. An automated camera cleaning system according to claim 13 further comprising a second cleaning pad disposed within the housing and contacting a second, opposing face of the optically-transmissive lens shield.

15. An automated camera cleaning system according to claim 13 wherein the optical path extends through an opening provided in the first cleaning pad.

16. An automated camera cleaning system according to claim 1 further comprising a heating element disposed within the housing and, when energized, configured to heat the optically-transmissive lens shield.

17. An automated camera cleaning system, comprising:

a housing having an optical path therethrough;

an optically-transmissive lens shield positioned through the optical path and mounted within the housing for rotation about a rotational axis substantially parallel with the optical path;

a motor coupled to the optically-transmissive lens shield and, when energized, configured to rotate the optically-transmissive lens shield relative to the housing to continually vary the region of the optically-transmissive lens shield positioned in the optical path; and

a wiper blade coupled to the housing and configured to sweep across the optically-transmissive lens shield to remove debris therefrom as the optically-transmissive lens shield rotates relative to the housing.

18. An automated camera cleaning system according to claim 17 wherein the automated camera cleaning system comprises a camera mounted to the housing, and wherein the optically-transmissive lens shield comprises a disc configured to rotate in plane substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the camera.

19. An automated camera cleaning system, comprising:

a housing having a front aperture, a rear aperture, and a cavity;

a camera mounted to the housing over the rear aperture and having a line-of-sight extending through the rear aperture, the front aperture, and the cavity;

an optically-transmissive lens shield rotatably mounted within the housing between the front aperture and the rear aperture; and

a motor coupled to the optically-transmissive lens shield and, when energized, configured to rotate the optically-transmissive lens shield relative to the housing to continually vary the region of the optically-transmissive lens shield positioned between the front aperture and the rear aperture.

20. An automated camera cleaning system according to claim 19 further comprising:

a heating element disposed within the housing and configured to heat the optically-transmissive lens shield when energized; and

a cleaning pad disposed within the housing between the heating element and the optically-transmissive lens shield, the cleaning pad contacting the leading face of the optically-transmissive lens shield.