Optical lens heating system and method

1 . A system for heating a lens of an optical device, the system comprising:

a lens retaining ring configured to secure the lens to a body of the optical device, the lens retaining ring comprising a mounting surface configured to be mounted on the lens with the mounting surface facing a top or bottom surface of the lens; and

a heating element attached to the mounting surface such that, with the mounting surface mounted on the lens, the heating element is proximate the lens such that heat generated by the heating element prevents dew formation on the lens.

2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the mounting surface is ring-shaped and defines a central aperture through which light can pass to reach the lens.

3 . The system of claim 2 , wherein the lens retaining ring keeps the lens in position relative to the body of the optical device such that the heating element does not occlude the central aperture.

4 . The system of claim 2 , further comprising:

electrical wiring coupled to the heating element to convey electrical energy to the heating element; and

a wire storage unit secured relative to the mounting surface, wherein the wire storage unit is configured to retain the electrical wiring such that the electrical wiring does not occlude the central aperture and does not interfere with attachment of a cover to the body of the optical device to cover the lens.

5 . The system of claim 2 , further comprising:

electrical wiring coupled to the heating element to convey electrical energy to the heating element; and

a wire management unit configured to be coupled to the body of the optical device to facilitate routing of the electrical wiring to a power source.

6 . The system of claim 2 , further comprising a temperature sensor secured relative to the mounting surface such that, with the mounting surface mounted on the lens, the temperature sensor is positioned on the lens such that the temperature sensor does not occlude the central aperture and provides sensor data indicative of a temperature of the lens.

7 . The system of claim 6 , further comprising:

electrical wiring coupled to the temperature sensor to convey the sensor data to a controller; and

a wire storage unit secured relative to the mounting surface, wherein the wire storage unit is configured to retain the electrical wiring such that the electrical wiring does not occlude the central aperture and does not interfere with attachment of a cover to the body of the optical device to cover the lens.

8 . The system of claim 6 , further comprising a controller configured to receive the sensor data.

9 . The system of claim 8 , further comprising a power source operatively connected to the controller such that the heating element is automatically powered to heat the lens in response to indication, by the sensor data, that a temperature of the lens is below a predetermined threshold.

10 . A system for heating a lens of an optical device, the system comprising:

a lens retaining ring configured to secure the lens to a body of the optical device, the lens retaining ring comprising a mounting surface configured to be mounted to a body of the optical device such that the system does not interfere with attachment of a cover to the body to cover the lens and, with the cover attached, the lens retaining ring is between the cover and the lens and the mounting surface faces a top or bottom surface of the lens; and

a heating element attached to the mounting surface that, with the mounting surface mounted to the body, is proximate the lens such that heat generated by the heating element prevents dew formation on the lens.

11 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the mounting surface is ring-shaped and defines a central aperture through which light can pass to reach the lens;

and wherein the lens retaining ring keeps the lens in position relative to the body of the optical device such that the heating element does not occlude the central aperture.

12 . The system of claim 11 , further comprising:

electrical wiring coupled to the heating element to convey electrical energy to the heating element; and

a wire storage unit secured relative to the mounting surface, wherein the wire storage unit is configured to retain the electrical wiring such that the electrical wiring does not occlude the central aperture and does not interfere with attachment of the cover to the body to cover the lens.

13 . The system of claim 11 , further comprising:

electrical wiring coupled to the heating element to convey electrical energy to the heating element; and

a wire management unit configured to be coupled to the body of the optical device to facilitate routing of the electrical wiring to a power source.

14 . The system of claim 10 , further comprising a temperature sensor secured relative to the mounting surface such that, with the mounting surface mounted on the lens, the temperature sensor is positioned on the lens such that the temperature sensor does not occlude the central aperture and provides sensor data indicative of a temperature of the lens.

15 . The system of claim 14 , further comprising:

a controller configured to receive the sensor data; and

a power source operatively connected to the controller such that the heating element is automatically powered to heat the lens in response to indication, by the sensor data, that a temperature of the lens is below a predetermined threshold.

16 . A system for heating a lens of an optical device, the system comprising:

a lens retaining ring configured to secure the lens to a body of the optical device, the lens retaining ring comprising a mounting surface configured to be mounted on a top or bottom surface of the lens;

a heating element attached to the mounting surface such that, with the mounting surface mounted on the lens, the heating element is proximate the lens such that heat generated by the heating element prevents dew formation on the lens; and

a temperature sensor secured relative to the mounting surface such that, with the mounting surface mounted on the lens, the temperature sensor is positioned on the lens such that the temperature sensor does not occlude the central aperture and provides sensor data indicative of a temperature of the lens.

17 . The system of claim 16 , wherein the mounting surface is ring-shaped and defines a central aperture through which light can pass to reach the lens;

and wherein the lens retaining ring keeps the lens in position relative to the body of the optical device such that the heating element does not occlude the central aperture.

18 . The system of claim 17 , further comprising:

first electrical wiring coupled to the heating element to convey electrical energy to the heating element;

second electrical wiring coupled to the temperature sensor to convey the sensor data to a controller; and

a wire storage unit secured relative to the mounting surface, wherein the wire storage unit is configured to retain the first electrical wiring and the second electrical wiring such that the first electrical wiring and the second electrical wiring do not occlude the central aperture and do not interfere with attachment of a cover to the body of the optical device to cover the lens.

19 . The system of claim 17 , further comprising:

electrical wiring coupled to the heating element to convey electrical energy to the heating element; and

a wire management unit configured to be coupled to the body of the optical device to facilitate routing of the electrical wiring to a power source.

20 . The system of claim 16 , further comprising:

a controller configured to receive the sensor data; and

a power source operatively connected to the controller such that the heating element is automatically powered to heat the lens in response to indication, by the sensor data, that a temperature of the lens is below a predetermined threshold.