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Heat source sensor for a marine vessel

  • US 7,511,276 B2
  • Filed: 01/22/2007
  • Issued: 03/31/2009
  • Est. Priority Date: 01/22/2007
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A heat source sensor, comprising:

  • a first housing structure;

    a first light sensitive element mounted in said first housing structure and configured to have a first field of view which extends away from said first housing structure in a first direction, said first light sensitive element being configured to provide a first signal in response to the detection of a source of heat within said first field of view;

    a first light shield disposed at least partially around said first field of view proximate said first housing structure, said first light shield being configured to limit said first field of view for the purpose of avoiding the detection of heat sources at first preselected regions relative to said first housing structure;

    a second housing structure;

    a second light sensitive element mounted in said second housing structure and configured to have a second field of view which extends away from said second housing structure in a second direction, said second light sensitive element being configured to provide a second signal in response to the detection of a source of heat within said second field of view;

    a second light shield disposed at least partially around said second field of view proximate said second housing structure, said second light shield being configured to limit said second field of view for the purpose of avoiding the detection of heat sources at second preselected regions relative to said second housing structure, said first and second fields of view being disposed in intersecting relation with each other; and

    a controller configured to receive said first and second signals,said first and second light sensitive elements being attached to port and starboard sides of a boat having a drive unit extending longitudinally aft therefrom, said first light shield providing upper and lower portions of said first field of view, said second light shield providing upper and lower portions of said second field of view, said upper portions of said first and second fields of view overlapping at a first zone aft of and longitudinally aligned with said drive unit, said lower portions of said first and second fields of view overlapping at a second zone aft of and longitudinally aligned with said drive unit, said second zone having a greater area than said first zone.

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