De-icing system for traffic signals
First Claim
1. A circuit for detecting and eliminating a buildup of frozen matter on a lens of an LED signal, the circuit comprising:
- a first circuit for measuring ambient temperature within the LED signal,a second circuit for transmitting a signal when the ambient temperature is below a predetermined level,a third circuit for receiving a reflection of the transmitted signal when frozen matter is present on the lens of the LED signal, anda fourth circuit for heating the lens of the LED signal until the ambient temperature rises above the predetermined level or the frozen matter on the lens of the LED signal is eliminated.
18 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A circuit is disclosed for detecting and eliminating the buildup of snow and/or ice on the viewable face of an LED traffic signal lens. The circuit measures the ambient temperature within the LED signal, and when the temperature falls to a level where snow and/or ice accumulation can occur, the circuit begins looking for snow and/or ice buildup on the lens of the LED signal. An infrared LED transmits a signal which is reflected when snow or ice is present on the lens of the traffic signal. When the reflected signal is received by an infrared receiver, it sends a signal to a microcontroller, which analyzes the signal to determine if it is a valid signal. If it is, a heater is turned on until the ice and snow are removed.
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Citations
32 Claims
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1. A circuit for detecting and eliminating a buildup of frozen matter on a lens of an LED signal, the circuit comprising:
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a first circuit for measuring ambient temperature within the LED signal, a second circuit for transmitting a signal when the ambient temperature is below a predetermined level, a third circuit for receiving a reflection of the transmitted signal when frozen matter is present on the lens of the LED signal, and a fourth circuit for heating the lens of the LED signal until the ambient temperature rises above the predetermined level or the frozen matter on the lens of the LED signal is eliminated. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A circuit for detecting and eliminating a buildup of snow and/or ice on a lens of an LED traffic signal, the circuit comprising:
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a microcontroller for monitoring ambient temperature within the signal, a circuit for measuring ambient light entering through the lens of the LED signal, the ambient light measuring circuit feeding the measure of ambient light to the microcontroller, a transmitter circuit for transmitting an infrared signal when the ambient temperature is below a predetermined set point, the operation of the transmitter circuit being controlled by the microcontroller, a receiver circuit for receiving a reflection of the infrared signal when frozen matter is present on the lens to the LED signal, the receiver circuit feeding the infrared signal to the microcontroller, and a heater circuit for heating the LED signal lens until the ambient temperature measured by the microcontroller rises above the predetermined set point or the buildup of snow and/or ice on the LED signal lens is eliminated. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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32. A circuit for detecting and eliminating a buildup of frozen matter on a lens of an LED signal, the circuit comprising:
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control means for measuring ambient temperature within the LED signal, means for transmitting a signal when the ambient temperature is below a predetermined level, the control means controlling the operation of the transmitting means based on the level of the ambient temperature, means for receiving a reflection of the transmitted signal when frozen matter is present on the lens of the LED signal, means for measuring ambient light entering through the lens of the LED signal, the control means using the measure of ambient light as a baseline to reduce or eliminate false triggering of the receiving means due to a receipt of light from an external light source, and means for heating the lens of the LED signal until the ambient temperature rises above the predetermined level or the frozen matter on the lens of the LED signal is eliminated, the control means controlling the operation of the heating means based on the receiving means receiving a reflection of the transmitted signal.
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Specification