Patent Number: 5835806
Docket Number: 23198
Serial Number: 8806592
Date Patented: 11/10/1998
Passive Self-Contained Camera Protection and Method for Fire Documentation
Agency:
Forest Service
Technology Description:
This invention provides passive, self-contained camera protection to isolate a camera from intermittent high- temperature environments for visual fire documentation, especially of fires occurring in remotely-located wildlands, vehicles, or shelters. Data resulting from tests using this invention in the Northwest Territories during 1997-98 have been reviewed and have resulted in the Forest Service revising a number of its fire fighting strategies. Cameras used in fire research are commonly subjected to intense 1100 degree Centigrade temperatures. Although apparatuses exist for use inside steady-state, high-temperature environments, such apparatuses employ complex and expensive active cooling systems requiring readily available plumbing and electricity. These requirements make these apparatuses unreasonable for use in remote locations.
Reference:
Patent Number 5,835,806, issued November 10, 1998.
Inventor:
James L. Kautz
USDA, Forest Service
Missoula Technology and Development Center
Missoula, Montana
(406) 329-3932