Actuated sprayer system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10933842-B2
Application number	US-201816216120-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 11, 2018
Priority date	Dec 11, 2018
Publication date	Mar 2, 2021
Grant date	Mar 2, 2021

Abstract

This technology relates to system for clearing a sensor cover. The system may include a sprayer, a support, and a positioning device. The sprayer may be mounted to the support and direct a flow of fluid to the sensor cover. The positioning device may be configured to adjust the position of the sprayer on the support. The system may include a nozzle and the nozzle may be positioned to direct the flow of fluid to an area of the sensor cover. The system may include additional sprayers.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A system for clearing a sensor cover, the system comprising:
a sprayer;
a support, wherein the sprayer is mounted to the support; and
a positioning device, wherein the positioning device is a linear actuator attached to the sprayer via an arm, wherein the arm is configured to adjust a position of the sprayer on the support, and
wherein the sprayer is configured to direct a flow of fluid to the sensor cover.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the sprayer includes a nozzle, wherein the nozzle is positioned to direct the flow of fluid to an area of the sensor cover.

3. The system of claim 2 , wherein the position of the nozzle is adjustable to direct the flow of fluid to other areas of the sensor cover.

4. The system of claim 1 , further comprising one or more additional sprayers.

5. The system of claim 4 , wherein the one or more additional sprayers are mounted on the support.

6. The system of claim 4 , further comprising one or more additional supports.

7. The system of claim 6 , wherein the one or more additional sprayers are mounted on the one or more additional supports.

8. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a pump for providing the sprayer with the fluid.

9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the linear actuator is configured to adjust a height of the support relative to the sensor cover.

10. The system of claim 1 , wherein the fluid is one or more of water, anti-freeze, detergent, gas, and soap.

11. The system of claim 1 further comprising a monitoring sensor, wherein the monitoring sensor is configured to detect a buildup of one or more elements on the sensor cover.

12. The system of claim 11 , wherein the one or more elements are any combination of ice, snow, and condensation.

13. The system of claim 12 , wherein the monitoring sensor, upon detecting a buildup of one or more elements on the sensor cover, triggers the sprayer to direct the flow of fluid on the sensor cover in a direction of the one or more elements.

14. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a track, wherein the support is positioned within the track; and
a motor, wherein the motor is configured to rotate the support within the track and around the sensor cover.

15. A system for clearing a sensor cover, the system comprising:
a sprayer, configured to direct a flow of fluid to the sensor cover;
a support, wherein the sprayer is mounted to the support; and
a positioning device, wherein the positioning device is configured to adjust a position of the sprayer on the support,
wherein the support includes a plurality of grooves, and the sprayer includes a gear system, and
wherein the gear system is rotatable in the plurality of grooves.

16. The system of claim 15 , wherein the sprayer further includes a turbine, wherein the turbine is configured to rotate the gear system in the plurality of grooves.

17. The system of claim 15 , further comprising:
a track, wherein the support is positioned within the track; and
a motor, wherein the motor is configured to rotate the support within the track and around the sensor cover.

18. The system of claim 15 , wherein the sprayer includes a nozzle, positioned to direct the flow of fluid to an area of the sensor cover, and wherein the position of the nozzle is adjustable to direct the flow of fluid to other areas of the sensor cover.

19. A system for clearing a sensor cover, the system comprising:
a sprayer;
a support, wherein the sprayer is mounted to the support;
a track, wherein the support is positioned within the track;
a motor, wherein the motor is configured to rotate the support within the track and around the sensor covert; and
a positioning device, wherein the positioning device is configured to adjust a position of the sprayer on the support, and
wherein the sprayer is configured to direct a flow of fluid to the sensor cover.

20. The system of claim 19 , wherein the support is attached to the track and the motor is configured to rotate the track around the sensor cover.

21. The system of claim 19 , wherein the sprayer includes a nozzle, positioned to direct the flow of fluid to an area of the sensor cover, and wherein the position of the nozzle is adjustable to direct the flow of fluid to other areas of the sensor cover.

Assignees

• Waymo Llc

Inventors

• Gilbertson Seth

Classifications

• H04N23/811

  by dust removal, e.g. from surfaces of the image sensor or processing of the image signal output by the electronic image sensor · CPC title

• H04N23/50

  Constructional details · CPC title

• B60S1/526

  according to vehicle movement characteristics, e.g. speed, or climatic conditions, e.g. wind · CPC title

• B60S1/485

  including control systems responsive to external conditions, e.g. by detection of moisture, dirt or the like · CPC title

• B08B5/02

  Cleaning by the force of jets, e.g. blowing-out cavities {(airguns or nozzles per se B05B1/005)} · CPC title