Camera washing system
First Claim
1. A roadway monitoring camera cleaning system comprising:
- a plurality of roadway monitoring cameras for capturing images, each camera disposed to capture images through a respective viewing surface exposed to outdoor environmental conditions;
a pressurized wash fluid source;
a conduit having an upstream end selectively connected to the wash fluid source through a supply valve and a downstream end connected to a delivery tube manifold;
a plurality of delivery tubes, each delivery tube having a supply end in fluid connection with the manifold via a delivery tube valve and a delivery end disposed to be proximate the viewing surface of a respective camera, the delivery tube valve and the supply valve operable to selectively supply wash fluid to at least one of the delivery tubes, such that the wash fluid exits the delivery end of the delivery tube and impinges on the viewing surface of the camera.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A roadway monitoring camera cleaning system includes one or more cameras for capturing images through respective viewing surfaces, which are exposed to outdoor environmental conditions. A controller coupled to the cameras receives the images and determines whether a predetermined wash threshold has been met based on any of various indicia of image degradation. Responsive to the wash threshold being met, the controller operates a supply valve to connect a wash fluid source to a conduit, and operates at least one delivery tube valve to connect the supply conduit to at least one delivery tube. Wash fluid is delivered under pressure to the dirty viewing surface as a result. Subsequently, the controller may disconnect the wash fluid source and connect a pressurized source of inert dry gas, in order to dry the viewing surface and to purge the delivery tube of wash fluid.
22 Citations
11 Claims
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1. A roadway monitoring camera cleaning system comprising:
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a plurality of roadway monitoring cameras for capturing images, each camera disposed to capture images through a respective viewing surface exposed to outdoor environmental conditions; a pressurized wash fluid source; a conduit having an upstream end selectively connected to the wash fluid source through a supply valve and a downstream end connected to a delivery tube manifold; a plurality of delivery tubes, each delivery tube having a supply end in fluid connection with the manifold via a delivery tube valve and a delivery end disposed to be proximate the viewing surface of a respective camera, the delivery tube valve and the supply valve operable to selectively supply wash fluid to at least one of the delivery tubes, such that the wash fluid exits the delivery end of the delivery tube and impinges on the viewing surface of the camera. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A roadway monitoring system comprising:
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a plurality of roadway monitoring cameras for capturing images, each camera disposed to capture the images through a viewing surface exposed to outdoor environmental conditions; a gantry extending across a roadway, each of the roadway monitoring cameras mounted on the gantry; a pressurized wash fluid source; a conduit having an upstream end selectively connected to the wash fluid source through a supply valve and a downstream end connected to a delivery tube manifold; a plurality of delivery tubes, each delivery tube having an supply end in fluid connection with the manifold via a delivery tube valve and a delivery end disposed to be proximate to the viewing surface of a respective one of the cameras, such that a wash fluid exiting the downstream end of the conduit will impinge on the viewing surface; and a controller. - View Dependent Claims (10)
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11. A method for monitoring a roadway comprising the steps of
disposing a plurality of cameras in different positions on a gantry over a roadway, each of the plurality of cameras having a viewing surface; -
providing at least one delivery tube for each of the plurality of cameras; providing a nozzle disposed on a downstream end of each of the delivery tubes, the nozzle being in close proximity to the respective viewing surface; providing a wash fluid source selectively connected to an upstream end of each of the delivery tubes; providing a compressed gas source selectively connected to an upstream end of each of the delivery tubes; using a controller to actuate the flow of a wash fluid from the wash fluid source through the nozzle of the delivery tubes; responsive to said step of using the controller to actuate the flow of the wash fluid, impinging the wash fluid on the viewing surface; using the controller to actuate the flow of a compressed gas from the compressed gas source through the nozzle of the delivery tubes; and responsive to said step of using the controller to actuate the flow of the compressed gas, impinging the gas on the viewing surface.
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Specification