Snowplow laser guidance system

Abstract

A snowplow laser guidance system is disclosed. The system can include, for example, a laser light source, a laser exit window through which a laser beam generated by the laser light source is transmitted, and a pressurized gas conduit. The pressurized gas conduit can have an opening positioned such that gas released through the opening flows across a face of the laser exit window. This can be useful to remove accumulated material, such as snow, ice, water, and dirt. The gas can be, for example, pressurized gas from a pressurized gas source of a snowplow vehicle. Release of pressurized gas across the face of the laser exit window can occur at a programmed frequency and/or in response to an operator signal, such as a signal from a switch on a control panel. The system also can include a heater connected to the laser exit window for defrosting.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of one embodiment of a laser module for use with some embodiments of the disclosed laser guidance system.

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the laser module shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of one embodiment of a control module for use with some embodiments of the disclosed laser guidance system.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the laser module shown in FIG. 1 mounted to a snowplow vehicle in two different positions.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the laser module shown in FIG. 1 mounted below a snowplow vehicle's headache rack.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the laser module shown in FIG. 1 mounted to a snowplow vehicle and projecting a laser beam.

FIG. 7A is a plan view showing the path of a laser beam projected from the laser module shown in FIG. 1 mounted to a snowplow vehicle as the snowplow moves along a straight path.

FIG. 7B is a plan view showing the path of a laser beam projected from the laser module shown in FIG. 1 mounted to a snowplow vehicle as the snowplow moves along a path that curves to the right.

FIG. 7C is a plan view showing the path of a laser beam projected from the laser module shown in FIG. 1 mounted to a snowplow vehicle as the snowplow moves along a path that curves to the left.

Claims

1. A snowplow laser guidance system, comprising: a laser light source;a laser exit window through which a laser beam generated by the laser light source is transmitted; anda pressurized gas conduit with an opening positioned such that gas released through the opening flows across a face of the laser exit window.

2. The snowplow laser guidance system according to claim 1, further comprising a snowplow vehicle to which the laser light source is connected.

3. The snowplow laser guidance system according to claim 1, wherein the laser light source is DC powered.

4. The snowplow laser guidance system according to claim 1, wherein the opening is the opening of a nozzle and the position of the nozzle is adjustable.

5. The snowplow laser guidance system according to claim 1, wherein the snowplow laser guidance system is configured to direct gas through the pressurized gas conduit and across the face of the laser exit window at a programmed frequency.

6. The snowplow laser guidance system according to claim 1, wherein the snowplow laser guidance system is configured to direct gas through the pressurized gas conduit and across the face of the laser exit window at a programmed frequency and in response to an operator signal.

7. The snowplow laser guidance system according to claim 1, further comprising a control module with a switch configured to cause gas to be directed through the pressurized gas conduit and across the face of the laser exit window.

8. The snowplow laser guidance system according to claim 1, wherein the laser light source is positioned relative to a snowplow vehicle so as to generate a visible indicator between about 20 feet and about 100 feet in front of the snowplow vehicle and to one side of the snowplow vehicle at least the width of a wing plow blade of the snowplow plow vehicle.

9. The snowplow laser guidance system according to claim 1, wherein the laser light source is positioned relative to a snowplow vehicle so as to generate a visible indicator of a future position of an edge of a snowplow blade.

10. The snowplow laser guidance system according to claim 9, wherein the snowplow blade is a wing plow blade.

11. The snowplow laser guidance system according to claim 1, further comprising a laser housing containing the laser light source and a bracket configured to mount the laser housing to a snowplow vehicle.

12. The snowplow laser guidance system according to claim 11, wherein the laser housing is rotatable in a first plane, the laser housing and the bracket are rotatable in a second plane, and the first plane is substantially perpendicular to the second plane.

13. The snowplow laser guidance system according to claim 1, wherein the pressurized gas conduit includes a pneumatic hose.

14. The snowplow laser guidance system according to claim 13, wherein the pneumatic hose is connected to a pressurized gas source of a snowplow vehicle.

15. The snowplow laser guidance system according to claim 1, further comprising a heater connected to the laser exit window.

16. The snowplow laser guidance system according to claim 15, wherein the heater is a resistive heater.

17. The snowplow laser guidance system according to claim 15, further comprising a temperature gauge, wherein the snowplow laser guidance system is configured to send a signal to activate the heater when a temperature detected by the temperature gauge is less than a predetermined temperature.

18. The snowplow laser guidance system according to claim 17, wherein the temperature gauge is a thermistor sensor also used to control an operating temperature of the laser light source.

19. A snowplow laser guidance system, comprising: a laser light source;a laser exit window through which a laser beam generated by the laser light source is transmitted; anda heater connected to the laser exit window.

20. The snowplow laser guidance system according to claim 19, wherein the heater is a resistive heater.

21. A snowplow laser guidance system, comprising: laser means for generating a laser to visually indicate a position of an edge of a snowplow blade; andmaterial-removal means for removing accumulated material from an exit window of the laser means.

22. The snowplow laser guidance system according to claim 21, further comprising attachment means for attaching the laser means to a snowplow vehicle.

23. The snowplow laser guidance system according to claim 21, further comprising defrosting means for defrosting the exit window of the laser means.

24. A method for guiding a snowplow, comprising: directing a laser beam onto a surface to generate a visible indicator of a future position of an edge of a snowplow blade; andguiding a snowplow vehicle based on a location of the visible indicator.

25. The method according to claim 24, wherein the snowplow blade is a wing plow blade.

26. The method according to claim 24, wherein the laser beam is generated by a laser light source within a laser housing and the method further comprises attaching the laser housing to the snowplow vehicle.

27. The method according to claim 24, wherein the laser beam is generated by a laser light source within a laser housing and the method further comprises heating an exit window of the laser housing.

28. The method according to claim 24, wherein the laser beam is generated by a laser light source within a laser housing and the method further comprises directing gas from a pressurized gas conduit across a face of an exit window of the laser housing.

29. The method according to claim 28, further comprising directing gas from a pressurized gas source of the snowplow vehicle to the pressurized gas conduit.