Snowplow laser guidance system

• US 8,205,360 B1
• Filed: 05/19/2011
• Issued: 06/26/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 01/09/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LaserLine Mfg., Inc.
• Original Assignee: LaserLine Mfg., Inc.
• Inventors: Vanneman, Robert W., Rench, Cecil E.
• Primary Examiner(s): PEZZUTO, ROBERT ERIC
• Application Number:
  US13/111,758
• Time in Patent Office: 404 Days
• Field of Search: 37219-236, 373/48, 371/96, 372/41, 172 2- 11, 372/55, 372/57, 372/94, 404113-118, 340/686.1, 340/932.2, 340/942, 340/435, 340/438, 340/436, 340/425.5
• US Class Current: 37/196
• CPC Class Codes: E01H 5/00 Removing snow or ice from roads or like surfaces; Grading or roughening snow or ice by applying de-icing agents E01H10/00; obstruction removers on vehicles B60R19/00; sand, gravel or salt spreaders E01C19/20
• CPC Class Codes: E01H 5/067 by side-wing snow-plough blades

Abstract

A snowplow laser guidance system is disclosed. The system can include, for example, a laser light source, a laser exit window through which a laser beam generated by the laser light source is transmitted, and a pressurized gas conduit. The pressurized gas conduit can have an opening positioned such that gas released through the opening flows across a face of the laser exit window. This can be useful to remove accumulated material, such as snow, ice, water, and dirt. The gas can be, for example, pressurized gas from a pressurized gas source of a snowplow vehicle. Release of pressurized gas across the face of the laser exit window can occur at a programmed frequency and/or in response to an operator signal, such as a signal from a switch on a control panel. The system also can include a heater connected to the laser exit window for defrosting.

Claims

1. A laser guidance system, comprising:

a laser light source;

a laser exit window through which a laser beam generated by the laser light source is transmitted; and

a gas cannon positioned such that gas ejected from the gas cannon flows across an outside surface of the laser exit window.

2. The laser guidance system according to claim 1, further comprising a pneumatic hose configured to connect the gas cannon to a pressurized air source of a vehicle.

3. The laser guidance system according to claim 1, wherein the gas cannon includes a nozzle and the position of the nozzle is adjustable.

4. The laser guidance system according to claim 1, wherein the gas cannon includes a valve and the laser guidance system further includes a controller programmed to automatically open and close the valve at a predetermined frequency.

5. The laser guidance system according to claim 1, wherein the gas cannon includes a valve and the laser guidance system further includes a control module with a switch configured to open the valve.

6. The laser guidance system according to claim 1, further comprising a heater connected to the laser exit window, wherein the heater is separate from the laser light source.

7. The laser guidance system according to claim 6, wherein the heater is a resistive heater.

8. The laser guidance system according to claim 6, further comprising a temperature gauge, wherein the laser guidance system is configured to send a signal to activate the heater when a temperature detected by the temperature gauge is less than a predetermined temperature.

9. The laser guidance system according to claim 8, wherein the temperature gauge is a thermistor sensor also used to control an operating temperature of the laser light source.

10. The laser guidance system according to claim 1, further comprising a wiper blade configured to wipe an outside surface of the laser exit window.

11. The snowplow system according to claim 1, wherein the laser light source is DC powered.

12. The snowplow system according to claim 1, further comprising a laser housing containing the laser light source and a bracket configured to mount the laser housing to a vehicle.

13. The snowplow system according to claim 12, wherein the laser housing is rotatable in a first plane, the laser housing and the bracket are rotatable in a second plane, and the first plane is substantially perpendicular to the second plane.