Method and device for preventing dew condensation and frosting on optical glass window

• US 7,001,028 B2
• Filed: 10/02/2002
• Issued: 02/21/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/12/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Japan Science & Technology Trading Co. Limited
• Original Assignee: Japan Science & Technology Trading Co. Limited
• Inventors: Yoshimura, Hirokazu
• Primary Examiner(s): Juba, Jr., John
• Application Number:
  US10/497,162
• Publication Number:
  US 20050007665A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,238 Days
• Field of Search: 359/507, 359/512, 359/900, 219/201
• US Class Current: 359/512
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0006 with means to keep optical surfaces clean, e.g. by preventing or removing dirt, stains, contamination, condensation G02B1/18 takes precedence; cleaning in general B08B
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/00 Control of temperature
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 359/90 Methods

Abstract

A method and an apparatus are provided for preventing formation of dew and/or ice on an optical glass window, with which formation of dew and/or ice is easily and simply prevented while an air turbulent disturbance is minimized and a deformation is inhibited as little as possible. A protective tube (6) covering an external atmosphere of a cooled optical glass window (2) and thermally insulated from the optical glass window (2) is provided so as to prevent the external atmosphere from being cooled in order to prevent the optical glass window (2) from having dew and/or ice formed thereon.

Claims

1. A method for preventing formation of dew and/or ice on a cooled optical glass window, comprising the steps of:

preventing an external atmosphere of the optical glass window from being cooled by providing a protective tube covering the external atmosphere of the cooled optical glass window and insulated from the optical glass window; and

regulating a temperature of the protective tube so as to inhibit convection of air in the protective tube in accordance with an inclination angle of the protective tube, so as to prevent the optical glass window from having dew and/or ice formed thereon.

2. The method for preventing formation of dew and/or ice on a cooled optical glass window according to claim 1, wherein the protective tube is formed so as to be tightly sealed.

3. The method for preventing formation of dew and/or ice on a cooled optical glass window according to claim 1, wherein the protective tube has a small opening perforated in the front thereof.

4. An apparatus for preventing formation of dew and/or ice on a cooled optical glass window, comprising:

a protective tube covering an external atmosphere of the cooled optical glass window and insulated from the optical glass window so as to prevent the external atmosphere of the optical glass window from being cooled; and

means for regulating a temperature of the protective tube so as to inhibit convection of air in the protective tube in accordance with an inclination of the protective tube.

5. The apparatus for preventing formation of dew and/or ice on a cooled optical glass window according to claim 4, further comprising a shutter closing the front of the protective tube.

6. The apparatus for preventing formation of dew and/or ice on a cooled optical glass window according to claim 4, wherein the protective tube has a small opening perforated in the front thereof.

7. The apparatus for preventing formation of dew and/or ice on a cooled optical glass window according to claim 4, further comprising a heating tape on the side surface portion of the protective tube.