Patent · US Expired

Observation of furnace interior

US4969035A · kind A · utility

16Cited by
7References
8Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateDec 15, 1989
Grant dateNov 6, 1990
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 15, 2009

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG02B23/2492
  • WIPO fieldMaterials, metallurgy
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

This invention provides a method of observing the interior of a furnace by viewing, at a remote location, the image depicted by a pinhole camera sited in or within the furnace housing. The image may be real and viewed directly or via a reflective or fibre optic transmission system, or alternatively a video camera may be employed, in this instance the `screen` of the camera may be constituted by light responsive elements, e.g. charge coupled devices. The camera may typically be sited in the furnace wall or roof and a pressurized blast of air or an inert gas, e.g. nitrogen or argon, may be employed for maintaining the integrity of the pinhole.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.