Dust purging method and apparatus for deploying lens cameras
US5233379A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 10, 1992 |
| Grant date | Aug 3, 1993 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 10, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG03B17/02
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method and apparatus for purging particulate contaminants such as dust from a camera interior chamber and leak paths in the camera housing between the chamber and the atmosphere external to the housing. The camera is of the type having an operational component such as a deploying lens movable in the chamber in a manner varying the volume of the chamber. A passage in the housing provides an air flow path for placing the chamber in fluid communication with the atmosphere. Free flow of air is provided through the path from the atmosphere to the chamber at minimal pressure differential therebetween when the camera operational component moves in a direction increasing the volume of the chamber. The air flow through the path is filtered to remove particulate contaminants such as dust. Flow of air through the path from the chamber to the atmosphere is blocked by a valve when the camera operational component moves in a direction decreasing the volume of the chamber so that air is forced from the chamber through the leak paths in the housing into the atmosphere thereby purging the chamber and leak paths of particulate contaminants such as dust.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.