Housing
Housing documentation in PDF form:Datei:Housing Module.pdf
Contents
Synopsis
This module acts as the physical housing of all lidar components. Its primary function is the protection of all modules, primarily from environmental factors. Because of this the Housing module must be a closed system, sealed against the elements. The module will also provide placement options for all the enclosed modules to ensure they do not interfere with each other.
Glossary of Terms
There are no specific terms to mention at this time.
Design Requirements
This section includes the objectives and constraints of the Housing module.
1. The Housing must operate in a wide range of atmospheric conditions
a. Relative Humidity of 0 to 100%1 b. Temperatures from -40° to 40° C1 c. Shock/vibration of 0.5g at a few Hz1
2. The Housing module should also have protection against environmental factors
a. Waterproofing b. Solar protection c. Lightning protection d. Sealed against dust e. Ice protection
3. The Lidar should be easy to handle and move
a. Weight limit of 50kg b. Size limit of 1x1x1m
Safety
This section describes the safety concerns of the Housing module, and suggestions for mitigating any possible risks.
The primary safety concern for the housing is having some function in place that ensures external power is disconnected before before the housing can be opened. This will ensure that the system is not live when the internal modules are exposed and being worked on. If a cooling system powered by compressed air is used, precautions should be taken with gas canisters.
High Level Overview
This section will discuss the main functions of the Housing module and its constituent components.
This module will act as protection and housing for all enclosed modules of this lidar system. This means it will have space and accommodation for the unique features of all modules, accomplished by the module placement component. In addition housing acts as environmental protection for the entire system. The specific module placements that need mentioning are optics and communication. Optics requires an opening to project the laser, while communication needs and opening for the connection of external antennae (a booster antenna may be included with the Housing module). In order to keep the optics opening clear there will also be an optics cleaner to remove water and debris, as well as a defroster to keep the opening from becoming fogged or frosted. The lighting cage is needed to protect a nacelle mounted lidar from strikes and radiation. Cooling and humidity control is required to maintain a climate inside the housing that all other modules can safely operate within. Finally, in order to visually monitor the conditions inside the lidar, a webcam is required.
Figure 1: System Diagram for Housing
Low Level Information
This section will discuss the details of the Communication module.
Below are the components of the module with more detail about the different options available for each. The optics opening should have options for single or multiple fixed lenses, as well as an option for a scanning head mount. The optics cleaner could be a brush in the case of a scanning head, a windshield wiper for a fixed lens, a water repellant coating, a gas powered water repeller, or an ultrasonic vibration device to repel water. One option for the cooling and humidity control is a device powered by compressed gas. This device would be externally mounted, requiring a 50mm diameter opening for access. It has a cooling capacity of 69-1411Kcal/hr and a power requirement of 120V at 60Hz or 110V at 50Hz2. The webcam used for monitoring would be approximately 150 x 200 x 30mm and weighs about 230g3. Finally, module placement must assure that no module physically interferes with another and all are secured to prevent damage when the system moves. Securing modules may be done using bolts, clips or adhesive.
Interfaces
Figure 2: Dependency map for Housing. Details in the table below
Figure 2 shows the dependencies of the Housing module with the rest of the lidar system. The inputs and outputs are described in detail in Table 2 below. The descriptions are colour coded for ease of reading and transferring from diagram to text.
| Inputs | Outputs |
| Power: Power to operate sensors, climate control, optics cleaner, webcam | Communication: Fittings for antennae |
| Optics: Transmitted laser beam passed through opening | Optics: Opening to allow laser beams to pass |
| Control: Humidity, temperature, and other sensor data | |
| Chassis:Connection for mountings |
Table 1: Inputs and outputs of Housing module
Progress
This module is currently in the abstract definition phase.
Testing
Type description of testing on module here.
Comments
Software and power diagrams should be created as needed.
Housing module colour (Hex code): #ff1981
Revision History
| Description of Work | Date | Author |
| Document started | 13.07.15 | Frank Modruson IV |
| Added Design Requirements, more to High Level, System Diagram, antenna component, interfaces, Module Placement component | 16.07.15 | Frank Modruson IV |
| Added Safety section, new System diagram, dependency map, updated interfaces | 30.07.15 | Frank Modruson IV |
| General edits to grammar and style | 31.07.15 | Joshua Calafato, Katherine Maul, Frank Modruson IV, Alan Yeh |
| Added References, minor formating | 01.08.15 | Frank Modruson IV |
| Added size and weight limits | 10.08.15 | Frank Modruson IV |
References
1. Harris, M., Hand, M., & Wright, A. (2006). Lidar for Turbine Control. Retrieved August 1, 2015, from http://www.nrel.gov/wind/pdfs/39154.pdf
2. Cabinet Coolers by EXAIR. (n.d.). Retrieved August 1, 2015, from http://www.exair.com/en-US/Primary Navigation/Products/Cabinet Coolers/Pages/Cabinet Coolers Home.aspx
3. Logitech – HD Webcam C270 – Black. (n.d.). Retrieved August 1, 2015, from http://www.bestbuy.com/site/logitech-hd-webcam-c270-black/9928354.p?id=1218196481203&skuId=9928354