US4432286A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Combustion pinhole camera system
Assignee: United States, AS REPRESENTED BY UNITED STATED DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
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Filing: 1982-05-19
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Granted: 1984-02-21
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Expires: 2002-05-19
Abstract
Abstract A pinhole camera system utilizing a sealed optical-purge assembly which provides optical access into a coal combustor or other energy conversion reactors. The camera system basically consists of a focused-purge pinhole optical port assembly, a conventional TV vidicon receiver, an external, variable density light filter which is coupled electronically to the vidicon automatic gain control (agc). The key component of this system is the focused-purge pinhole optical port assembly which utilizes a purging inert gas to keep debris from entering the port and a lens arrangement which transfers the pinhole to the outside of the port assembly. One additional feature of the port assembly is that it is not flush with the interior of the combustor.
Inventors
- 👤 Arvel B. Witte
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 17:50
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B23/00; G02B23/24; G02B23/2476; G02B23/2484; F; F23; F23N; F23N5/00; F23N5/02; F23N5/08; F23N5/082; F23N2229/00; F23N2229/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
178 words
In an apparatus for observing reactions within a closed chamber via an externally located viewing means, the improvement comprising: an optically focused and gas purged pinhole port assembly, said pinhole port assembly being adapted to be mounted in an associated chamber to be observed and aligned with an associated viewing means, said pinhole port assembly being adapted to be mounted in an associated chamber such that a portion of said assembly extends into an interior of an associated chamber so as not to be flush with an inner wall surface of such an associated chamber, said pinhole port assembly including a housing having an opening extending therethrough with a plurality of spaced optical means and gas purging means located so as to direct purging inert gas through one end portion of said opening from between one of said plurality of spaced optical means and an associated chamber, said optical means functioning to transfer an image of an object in an associated chamber to a point external of said pinhole port assembly for viewing by an associated viewing means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
178 words
In an apparatus for observing reactions within a closed chamber via an externally located viewing means, the improvement comprising: an optically focused and gas purged pinhole port assembly, said pinhole port assembly being adapted to be mounted in an associated chamber to be observed and aligned with an associated viewing means, said pinhole port assembly being adapted to be mounted in an associated chamber such that a portion of said assembly extends into an interior of an associated chamber so as not to be flush with an inner wall surface of such an associated chamber, said pinhole port assembly including a housing having an opening extending therethrough with a plurality of spaced optical means and gas purging means located so as to direct purging inert gas through one end portion of said opening from between one of said plurality of spaced optical means and an associated chamber, said optical means functioning to transfer an image of an object in an associated chamber to a point external of said pinhole port assembly for viewing by an associated viewing means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
103 words
The improvement defined in claim 1, wherein said opening extending through said housing is of a diverging-converging configuration, said plurality of spaced optical means being located within said diverging-converging opening, one of said optical means being positioned in the converging configured section of said opening and spaced from one terminal end of said opening so as to define a converging nozzle, said gas purging means being operatively connected with said converging nozzle, whereby purging gas passes through said converging nozzle and outwardly through said terminal end of said opening preventing deposit of undesired matter in said terminal end and on said optical means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
The improvement defined in claim 2, wherein said plurality of spaced optical means comprises a pair of substantially identical lenses spaced apart at a distance of two focal lengths of one of said lenses.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
The improvement defined in claim 3, wherein one of said pair of lenses is located at a distance of one focal length from said one terminal end of said opening in said housing.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
The improvement defined in claim 2, wherein said one terminal end of said opening in said housing forms a pinhole of a desired cross-section, said pinhole being mounted in a protruding location in an interior of an associated chamber to be observed.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The improvement of claim 1, wherein said purging inert gas is composed of nitrogen.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
156 words
In combination with a combustion chamber having a pinhole therein for viewing the interior thereof, a viewing mechanism for observing reaction phenomena within said combustion chamber, and means positioned between said combustion chamber and said view mechanism for transferring said pinhole to a location external of said combustion chamber, said means protruding into an interior section of said combustion chamber, said means comprising a focused-purge pinhole optical port assembly mounted in said pinhole of said combustion chamber and spaced from but in alignment with said viewing mechanism, said optical port assembly comprising a housing having an opening extending therethrough and having a terminal end of said opening located in said combustion chamber, a plurality of lenses positioned in spaced apart relation in said opening, and gas purging means connected adjacent said terminal end of said opening for directing purging gas into one end portion of said opening and outwardly from said terminal end of said opening.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
156 words
In combination with a combustion chamber having a pinhole therein for viewing the interior thereof, a viewing mechanism for observing reaction phenomena within said combustion chamber, and means positioned between said combustion chamber and said view mechanism for transferring said pinhole to a location external of said combustion chamber, said means protruding into an interior section of said combustion chamber, said means comprising a focused-purge pinhole optical port assembly mounted in said pinhole of said combustion chamber and spaced from but in alignment with said viewing mechanism, said optical port assembly comprising a housing having an opening extending therethrough and having a terminal end of said opening located in said combustion chamber, a plurality of lenses positioned in spaced apart relation in said opening, and gas purging means connected adjacent said terminal end of said opening for directing purging gas into one end portion of said opening and outwardly from said terminal end of said opening.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The combination of claim 7, wherein said one end of said opening is configured to form a converging nozzle.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The combination of claim 8, wherein at least a portion of said converging nozzle is positioned to protrude into the interior of said combustion chamber.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The combination of claim 7, wherein said viewing mechanism includes a TV vidicon receiver.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The combination of claim 7, additionally including a filter arrangement interposed between said viewing mechanism and said optical port assembly.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
167 words
A focused-purge pinhole optical port assembly adapted to be mounted in an opening in a chamber to be viewed by an associated viewing mechanism, said optical port assembly comprising: a housing having an opening extending longitudinally therethrough which includes a converging section which terminates at one end of said opening forming a pinhole in said housing, a pair of spaced optical means located in said opening, one of said optical means being positioned in said converging section of said opening and at a distance of one focal length thereof from said pinhole, and means for directing a purging inert gas into said converging section of said opening intermediate said one optical means and said pinhole and outwardly through said pinhole for preventing deposit of undersired matter in said opening and on said one optical means, whereby an image of an object viewed at said pinhole is transferred by said pair of optical means to a point exterior of said housing for viewing by an associated viewing mechanism.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
167 words
A focused-purge pinhole optical port assembly adapted to be mounted in an opening in a chamber to be viewed by an associated viewing mechanism, said optical port assembly comprising: a housing having an opening extending longitudinally therethrough which includes a converging section which terminates at one end of said opening forming a pinhole in said housing, a pair of spaced optical means located in said opening, one of said optical means being positioned in said converging section of said opening and at a distance of one focal length thereof from said pinhole, and means for directing a purging inert gas into said converging section of said opening intermediate said one optical means and said pinhole and outwardly through said pinhole for preventing deposit of undersired matter in said opening and on said one optical means, whereby an image of an object viewed at said pinhole is transferred by said pair of optical means to a point exterior of said housing for viewing by an associated viewing mechanism.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
The optical port assembly of claim 12, wherein said purging inert gas is selected from a group consisting of nitrogen, argon and helium.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
The optical port assembly of claim 12, wherein said purging gas means utilizes nitrogen gas.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
43 words
The optical port assembly of claim 12, in combination with a coal combustor which constitutes said chamber to be viewed, and wherein at least a portion of said converging section of said opening in said housing protrudes a distance into said coal combustor.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-02-20 | 1987-08-22 | 1988-02-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-02-20 | 1991-08-22 | 1992-02-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-02-20 | 1995-08-22 | 1996-02-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |