US5394208A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Environmental enclosure for a camera
Assignee: Eastman Kodak Co
•
Filing: 1993-10-22
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Granted: 1995-02-28
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Expires: 2013-10-22
Abstract
Abstract An environmental enclosure provides a maintenance free surfaceless viewing window through a specially designed aperture for a clean, clear field of view for the lens of an enclosed camera, as well as cooling and isolation from ambient and camera-generated temperatures. The environmental enclosure device utilizes a method of pressurizing the environmental internal to the device to create a positive air flow through the aperture. The aperture is designed to create a vortex in order to encourage a surfaceless barrier which prevents external contaminants from entering the device. The aperture is provided through a removable aperture plate for ease in maintenance. The device provides unabated camera access through a removable portion which is angularly split from a fixed portion of the device, wherein the angular split permits the removal of the sufficient portion of the device in a tight-fitting region.
Inventors
- 👤 Dean B. Campbell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-10 02:03
CPC Classifications
G; G08; G08B; G08B13/00; G08B13/18; G08B13/189; G08B13/194; G08B13/196; G08B13/19617; G08B13/19619; G03; G03B; G03B29/00; H; H04; H04N; H04N23/00; H04N23/50; H04N23/51
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
127 words
An environmental enclosure device for maintaining the optical integrity of a field of view of an enclosed camera, said environment enclosure device comprising: a box which provides protection from an external environment and ease in accessibility to said enclosed camera; an air diffuser coupled to said box, wherein said air diffuser provides an inflow of air which creates a positive air pressure internal to said box; and a vortex aperture provided in said box through which a positive flow of air from said air diffuser exits said box, thereby providing a surfaceless barrier which prevents the entrance of external contaminants through said aperture into said box, said vortex aperture having a tapered shade with the large end of the taper arranged towards the inside of said enclosure.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
127 words
An environmental enclosure device for maintaining the optical integrity of a field of view of an enclosed camera, said environment enclosure device comprising: a box which provides protection from an external environment and ease in accessibility to said enclosed camera; an air diffuser coupled to said box, wherein said air diffuser provides an inflow of air which creates a positive air pressure internal to said box; and a vortex aperture provided in said box through which a positive flow of air from said air diffuser exits said box, thereby providing a surfaceless barrier which prevents the entrance of external contaminants through said aperture into said box, said vortex aperture having a tapered shade with the large end of the taper arranged towards the inside of said enclosure.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The environmental enclosure device according to claim 1, wherein said aperture provides a surfaceless viewing area for a lens of said enclosed camera.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The environmental enclosure device according to claim 1, wherein said box is angularly split to provide ease accessibility to said enclosed camera.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The environmental enclosure device according to claim 1, wherein said air diffuser provides compressed air.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The environmental enclosure device according to claim 4, wherein said compressed air is 30 pounds per square inch with a flow rate of approximately 6 cubic feet per minute.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The environmental enclosure device according to claim 5, wherein said compressed air maintains a first temperature within said box below a second temperature external to said box.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The environmental enclosure device according to claim 1, wherein said aperture plate is created by an aperture plate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The environmental enclosure device according to claim 7, wherein said aperture plate is removable.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The environmental enclosure device according to claim 1, wherein said aperture is shaped to create a vortex of said flow of air exiting said box.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The environmental enclosure device according to claim 9, wherein said vortex discourages flow of air through said aperture into said box.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
116 words
A method of maintaining the optical integrity of a field of view of an enclosed camera, said method comprising the steps of: 1) providing a box equipped with a vortex aperture, wherein said box surrounds an enclosed camera which is positioned to receive a field of view through said aperture, said vortex aperture having a tapered shade with the large end of the taper arranged towards the inside of said enclosure; and 2) diffusing air into said box to create a positive air pressure internal to said box, wherein said air exits said box through said vortex aperture, thereby providing a surfaceless barrier which prevents the entrance of external contaminants through said aperture into said box.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
116 words
A method of maintaining the optical integrity of a field of view of an enclosed camera, said method comprising the steps of: 1) providing a box equipped with a vortex aperture, wherein said box surrounds an enclosed camera which is positioned to receive a field of view through said aperture, said vortex aperture having a tapered shade with the large end of the taper arranged towards the inside of said enclosure; and 2) diffusing air into said box to create a positive air pressure internal to said box, wherein said air exits said box through said vortex aperture, thereby providing a surfaceless barrier which prevents the entrance of external contaminants through said aperture into said box.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method according to claim 11, wherein said aperture provides a surfaceless viewing area for a lens of said enclosed camera.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method according to claim 11, wherein said box is angularly split to provide ease of accessibility to said enclosed camera.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method according to claim 11, wherein said diffusing step provides compressed air.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method according to claim 14, wherein said compressed air is approximately 30 pounds per square inch with a flow rate of approximately 6 cubic feet per minute.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method according to claim 15, wherein said compressed air maintains a first temperature within said box below a second temperature external said box.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method according to claim 11, wherein said aperture is created by an aperture plate.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method according to claim 17, wherein said aperture plate is removable.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
25 words
The environmental enclosure device according to claim 11, wherein said aperture is shaped to create a vortex of said flow of air exiting said box.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
21 words
The environmental enclosure device according to claim 19, wherein said vortex discourages flow of air through said aperture into said box.
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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) | 1998-02-27 | 1998-08-29 | 1999-02-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-02-27 | 2002-08-29 | 2003-02-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-02-27 | 2006-08-29 | 2007-02-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |