Non-Contact Cleaning System

• US 20200130652A1
• Filed: 10/30/2018
• Published: 04/30/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/2018
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Waymo LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Waymo LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Inventors: Richardson, Kimberley Mae, Lombrozo, Peter Craig, Rivera, Felix Jose Alvarez
• Granted Patent: US 11,097,695 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 5/02 Cleaning by the force of jets, e.g. blowing-out cavities airguns or nozzles per se B05B1/005
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/0411 the windscreens, windows or optical devices being movable with respect to fixed wipers
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/544 moving gas spreading means, e.g. arranged in wiper arms
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/56 specially adapted for cleaning other parts or devices than front windows or windscreens rear-view mirror arrangements mounted on vehicle exterior including cleaning devices B60R1/0602
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/60 for signalling devices, e.g. reflectors
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0006 with means to keep optical surfaces clean, e.g. by preventing or removing dirt, stains, contamination, condensation G02B1/18 takes precedence; cleaning in general B08B

Abstract

This technology relates to a system for clearing sensors. The system may include an air knife configured to clear a sensor housing of debris. The air knife may be attached to a bearing comprising a bearing ring. The system may also include a motor, wherein the motor is configured to rotate the bearing ring around the sensor housing.

Claims

1. A sensor clearing system comprising:

an air knife configured to clear a sensor housing of debris;

a bearing comprising a bearing ring, wherein the air knife is attached to the bearing ring; and

a motor, wherein the motor is configured to rotate the bearing ring around the sensor housing.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the air knife includes:

an input for receiving a pressurized fluid; and

an output section for providing the pressurized fluid against the sensor housing.

3. The system of claim 2, further comprising a blower, wherein the blower provides the pressurized fluid to the input of the air knife.

4. The system of claim 3, further comprising a heater disposed between the air knife and the blower, wherein the heater heats the pressurized fluid.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the bearing is an air bearing further comprising a static ring.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the bearing ring is positioned on the static ring.

7. The system of claim 5, further comprising one or more friction wheels in contact with the bearing ring, wherein the motor is configured to rotate the one or more friction wheels and the friction wheels rotate the bearing ring.

8. The system of claim 5, wherein the static ring includes an input for receiving a pressurized fluid;

and

an output section for providing the pressurized fluid into a channel positioned between the bearing ring and static ring.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the channel includes one or more air grooves through which pressurized fluid leaks to maintain the pressurized fluid at a predetermined pressure.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the pressurized fluid is configured to separate the bearing ring from the static ring by lifting the bearing ring away from the static ring.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein a separation distance of the bearing ring and static ring is limited by one or more blocking elements.

12. The system of claim 8, wherein the air knife includes an input for receiving a pressurized fluid, and

wherein the input is connected to the channel to allow pressurized fluid to flow from the channel to the input.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the air knife is configured to clear the sensor housing by providing pressurized fluid against the sensor housing in a substantially downward direction relative to the face of the air knife.

14. The system of claim 1, further comprising a vehicle, wherein the sensor housing is mounted to the vehicle.

15. A sensor clearing system comprising:

an air knife configured to clear a sensor housing of debris;

an air bearing comprising a bearing ring and a static ring, wherein the air knife is attached to the bearing ring; and

a motor, wherein the motor is configured to rotate the bearing ring around the sensor housing.

16. The system of claim 15, further comprising a blower, wherein the blower provides a pressurized stream of fluid to an input of the air knife.

17. The system of claim 16, further comprising a heater disposed between the air knife and the blower, wherein the heater heats the pressurized stream of fluid.

18. The system of claim 15, wherein the bearing ring is positioned on the static ring.

19. The system of claim 15, further comprising one or more friction wheels in contact with the bearing ring, wherein the motor is configured to rotate the one or more friction wheels and the friction wheels rotate the bearing ring.

20. The system of claim 15, further comprising a vehicle, wherein the sensor housing is mounted to the vehicle.