Self-cleaning lens
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A sensor device comprising:
- a sensor comprising a sensing surface;
a cylindrical housing within which the sensing surface is positioned, the cylindrical housing including a cylindrical wall and a disc-shaped end wall at a first end of the cylindrical wall;
a transparent, liquid-permeable lens included in the disc-shaped end wall and positioned in front of the sensor; and
an enclosed chamber positioned between the sensor and the transparent, liquid-permeable lens, such that radiation can pass through the transparent, liquid-permeable lens and into the sensor to the sensing surface,wherein the transparent, liquid permeable lens forms at least one surface of the enclosed chamber, wherein the transparent liquid-permeable lens contains openings of less than 100 micron diameter through which a liquid can pass, and wherein the enclosed chamber is in fluid communication with an inlet, so that when the liquid is applied under hydraulic pressure into the enclosed chamber through the inlet, the liquid is forced through the openings in the transparent, liquid-permeable lens at a level sufficient to clean the transparent, liquid-permeable lens.
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Abstract
Some embodiments herein generally relate to self-clean lenses, sensor systems, and/or methods of cleaning. In some embodiments, a self-cleaning lens is provided for a sensor for monitoring a liquid.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A sensor device comprising:
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a sensor comprising a sensing surface; a cylindrical housing within which the sensing surface is positioned, the cylindrical housing including a cylindrical wall and a disc-shaped end wall at a first end of the cylindrical wall; a transparent, liquid-permeable lens included in the disc-shaped end wall and positioned in front of the sensor; and an enclosed chamber positioned between the sensor and the transparent, liquid-permeable lens, such that radiation can pass through the transparent, liquid-permeable lens and into the sensor to the sensing surface, wherein the transparent, liquid permeable lens forms at least one surface of the enclosed chamber, wherein the transparent liquid-permeable lens contains openings of less than 100 micron diameter through which a liquid can pass, and wherein the enclosed chamber is in fluid communication with an inlet, so that when the liquid is applied under hydraulic pressure into the enclosed chamber through the inlet, the liquid is forced through the openings in the transparent, liquid-permeable lens at a level sufficient to clean the transparent, liquid-permeable lens. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification