Showing papers on "Light pillar published in 1982"

Device for the monitoring of ice formation

Abstract: The device contains a first light source (21) that emits a continuous light and a second light source (18) that emits intermittent light, a photodiode (19) that responds to the light of both light sources and a transparent plate (14) that is located in the light path between the first light source and the photodiode and the surface of which constitutes a measuring surface for ice formation. As long as the measuring surface does not ice up and the plate remains optimally transparent, the photodiode is pushed into the area of saturation by the light rays of the first light source and the light rays of the second light source have little influence on the photocurrent. If ice forms on the measuring surface the light rays of the first light source are weakened and the photocurrent of the photocell is increasingly modulated by the light rays from the second light source. The modulated photocurrent is used as a quantitative signal for the build-up of the ice layer. As the formation of ice impairs the transparency of the plate, by experience, much more rapidly than a coating with dust, it is possible to distinguish between an accumulation of dirt and ice formation on the plate with the aid of electronic circuit that monitors the time-related decrease of transparency.