US6166657A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Imminent icing condition enunciator
Assignee: Sprague Devices Inc
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Filing: 1998-07-06
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Granted: 2000-12-26
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Expires: 2018-07-06
Abstract
Abstract An imminent icing condition detector employs an infrared sensor with a focusing element to receive ambient infrared energy from a surface, particularly a road surface, and the output of the sensor is processed to provide an indication of the likelihood of icing conditions and to accordingly control a traction control substance deployment system, such as a truck that dispenses a de-icing, anti-icing, or traction substance, such as sand, salt, or other material or mixture of materials in solid granular, liquid, or mixed form.
Inventors
- 👤 Wayne L. Mann
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 22:14
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60B; B60B39/00; B60B39/02; B60B39/021; B60B39/025; B60B39/026; B60B39/04; B60B39/08; B60B39/083; B60B39/086; E; E01; E01H; E01H10/00; E01H10/007; G; G08; G08B; G08B19/00; G08B19/02; B60G; B60G2400/00; B60G2400/80; B60G2400/82; B60G2401/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 38
Claim 1
Independent Claim
118 words
An apparatus for controlling the dispensing of a traction substance onto a surface, comprising: an infrared sensor for determining the temperature of a surface; a traction enhancing substance deployment system; and a controller in data communication with the infrared sensor and the traction enhancing substance deployment system, the controller determining in accordance with a signal from the infrared sensor whether icing conditions are likely and selectively controlling traction enhancing substance deployment system in accordance with the determination, wherein the infrared sensor includes an extraneous radiation shield in shielding arrangement with said infrared sensing means, said shield comprising a terraced structure projecting outwardly from said sensing means for reflecting extraneous infrared radiation outwardly away from said infrared sensing means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
118 words
An apparatus for controlling the dispensing of a traction substance onto a surface, comprising: an infrared sensor for determining the temperature of a surface; a traction enhancing substance deployment system; and a controller in data communication with the infrared sensor and the traction enhancing substance deployment system, the controller determining in accordance with a signal from the infrared sensor whether icing conditions are likely and selectively controlling traction enhancing substance deployment system in accordance with the determination, wherein the infrared sensor includes an extraneous radiation shield in shielding arrangement with said infrared sensing means, said shield comprising a terraced structure projecting outwardly from said sensing means for reflecting extraneous infrared radiation outwardly away from said infrared sensing means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said traction enhancing substance deployment system dispenses a salt.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said traction enhancing substance deployment system dispenses a combination of a salt and a pre-wetting solution.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said traction enhancing substance deployment system dispenses a solid substance or a liquid substance.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said traction enhancing substance deployment system dispenses an anti-icing substance or a de-icing substance.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said traction enhancing substance deployment system dispenses a combination of substances.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the infrared sensor passively detects ambient infrared emissions from the surface.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the apparatus further includes an ambient air temperature sensor and in which the ambient air temperature as well as the surface temperature are considered in determining whether icing conditions are likely.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 in which the controller determines from the first mentioned signal and from a second signal in accordance with pre-defined rules the presence of likely icing conditions.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
71 words
An apparatus according to claim 9 in which the apparatus includes an ambient air temperature sensor and in which the first mentioned signal is a signal from the infrared sensor and the second signal is a signal from the ambient air temperature sensor, and the controller determines the presence of likely icing conditions in accordance with pre-defined rules based upon the signal from the ambient air sensor and the infrared sensor.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the signal is a digital signal.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
116 words
An apparatus for controlling the dispensing of a traction substance onto a surface, comprising: an infrared sensor for determining the temperature of a surface; a traction enhancing substance deployment system; a controller in data communication with the infrared sensor and the traction enhancing substance deployment system, the controller determining in accordance with a signal from the infrared sensor whether icing conditions are likely and selectively controlling traction enhancing substance deployment system in accordance with the determination; a contamination sensor for detecting obstruction of the infrared sensing means by contamination; and an amplifier for providing increased amplification of a signal from said sensing means in response to detection of an increase in obstruction by the contamination sensor.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
116 words
An apparatus for controlling the dispensing of a traction substance onto a surface, comprising: an infrared sensor for determining the temperature of a surface; a traction enhancing substance deployment system; a controller in data communication with the infrared sensor and the traction enhancing substance deployment system, the controller determining in accordance with a signal from the infrared sensor whether icing conditions are likely and selectively controlling traction enhancing substance deployment system in accordance with the determination; a contamination sensor for detecting obstruction of the infrared sensing means by contamination; and an amplifier for providing increased amplification of a signal from said sensing means in response to detection of an increase in obstruction by the contamination sensor.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus according to claim 12 wherein the traction enhancing substance deployment system dispenses sand.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus according to claim 12 wherein said traction enhancing substance deployment system dispenses a salt.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus according to claim 12 wherein the traction enhancing substance deployment system dispenses a combination of salt and a pre-wetting solution.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus according to claim 12 wherein said traction enhancing substance deployment system dispenses a solid substance.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus according to claim 12 wherein said traction enhancing substance deployment system dispenses a liquid substance.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus according to claim 12 wherein said traction enhancing substance deployment system dispenses a de-icing substance.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus according to claim 12 wherein said traction enhancing substance deployment system dispenses an anti-icing substance.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus according to claim 12 wherein said traction enhancing substance deployment system dispenses a combination of substances.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus according to claim 12 wherein the infrared sensor measures a surface temperature, the surface temperature being a factor in determining whether icing conditions are present.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus according to claim 12 wherein the infrared sensor detects ambient infrared emissions from the surface.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
35 words
An apparatus according to claim 12 further comprising an ambient air temperature sensor and in which the ambient air temperature as well as the surface temperature are considered in determining whether icing conditions are present.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
95 words
A method of controlling the dispensing of a traction substance onto a surface to enhance vehicle traction, comprising: measuring while traveling over the surface in a vehicle the ambient infrared radiation being radiated from the surface; determining from the infrared radiation being radiated from the surface whether icing conditions are likely; selectively dispensing a traction control substance onto the surface if icing conditions are likely; detecting contamination obstructing the infrared sensor; and providing increased amplification of a signal from the infrared sensor in response to detection of an increase in contamination obstructing the infrared sensor.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
95 words
A method of controlling the dispensing of a traction substance onto a surface to enhance vehicle traction, comprising: measuring while traveling over the surface in a vehicle the ambient infrared radiation being radiated from the surface; determining from the infrared radiation being radiated from the surface whether icing conditions are likely; selectively dispensing a traction control substance onto the surface if icing conditions are likely; detecting contamination obstructing the infrared sensor; and providing increased amplification of a signal from the infrared sensor in response to detection of an increase in contamination obstructing the infrared sensor.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 24 in which selectively dispensing a traction control substance includes selectively dispensing sand.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 24 in which selectively dispensing a traction control substance includes selectively dispensing a salt.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 24 in which selectively dispensing a traction control substance includes selectively dispensing a salt and a pre-wetting solution.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 24 in which selectively dispensing a traction control substance includes selectively dispensing a solid substance.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 24 in which selectively dispensing a traction control substance includes selectively dispensing a liquid substance.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 24 in which selectively dispensing a traction control substance includes selectively dispensing a de-icing substance.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 24 in which selectively dispensing a traction control substance includes selectively dispensing an anti-icing substance.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 24 in which selectively dispensing a traction control substance includes selectively dispensing a combination of substances.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 24 further comprising evaluating the infrared radiation in accordance with predetermined rules to determine whether icing conditions are likely.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 24 further comprising sensing an ambient air temperature.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 34 further comprising evaluating the ambient air temperature and the infrared radiation in accordance with predetermined rules to determine whether icing conditions are likely.
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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) | 2003-12-26 | 2004-06-26 | 2004-12-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-12-26 | 2008-06-26 | 2008-12-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-12-26 | 2012-06-26 | 2012-12-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |