# US 10,307,800 B1 · Self-cleaning spinning cover > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,307,800 B1 - Document ID: US10307800B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 15/228,305 - Filed: 2016-08-04 - Granted: 2019-06-04 - Earliest claimed: 2016-08-04 - Assignees: Waymo LLC - Applicants: Waymo LLC - Inventors: Peter Craig Lombrozo - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10307800B1 ## CPC - B08B 3/10: with additional treatment of the liquid or of the object being cleaned, e.g. by heat, by electricity or by vibration - B08B 3/02: Cleaning by the force of jets or sprays - B08B 17/02: Preventing deposition of fouling or of dust - 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)} - 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)} - B60S 1/0411: {the windscreens, windows or optical devices being movable with respect to fixed wipers} - B08B: CLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL - B60S: SERVICING, CLEANING, REPAIRING, SUPPORTING, LIFTING, OR MANOEUVRING OF VEHICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS ## Abstract The technology relates to a system for clearing sensors. The system may comprise a sensor. The sensor may comprise a sensor cover and a cover window arranged on the sensor cover. The system may further comprise a sensor motor for rotating the sensor cover and the cover window around an axis of rotation. The sensor cover and cover window may be rotated to clear the cover window of debris. The cover window may have a linear cross section in a plane that passes through and is perpendicular to the axis of rotation. The sensor motor may be configured to rotate the sensor cover and the cover window. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system for clearing sensors comprising: a sensor comprising a sensor cover and a cover window arranged on the sensor cover; and a sensor motor for rotating the sensor cover and the cover window around an axis of rotation at 600-3000 rotations per minute; wherein the rotating sensor cover and cover window are configured to clear the cover window of debris. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the cover window has a linear cross section in a plane that passes through and is perpendicular to the axis of rotation. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the cover window is coated in a hydrophobic coating. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the hydrophobic coating increases a contact angle between the debris and the sensor cover. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the cover window is coated in a hydrophilic coating. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The system of claim 5, wherein the hydrophilic coating decreases a contact angle between the debris and the sensor cover. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor further comprises internal sensor components. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the motor is configured to rotate the internal sensor components at the same speed as the sensor cover and the cover window. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 further comprising a jet configured to project a liquid onto the sensor cover and cover window. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the cover window is tangent or offset from the axis of rotation. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the cover window is offset from the sensor cover such that there is an increasing tangential component of centripetal force which causes the debris to migrate away from the cover window. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the cover window is angled from the sensor cover such that there is an increasing tangential component of centripetal force which causes the debris to migrate away from the cover window. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor cover has a shape with an increasing radial distance from the axis of rotation at positions away from the cover window such that there is an increasing tangential component of centripetal force which causes the debris to migrate away from the cover window. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the system further comprises a vehicle and the sensor is a sensor of the vehicle. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the system further comprises a debris sensor for monitoring the amount of debris on the sensor cover and cover window. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The system of claim 15, wherein the debris sensor is configured to send a signal to cause the sensor motor to activate upon detecting an amount of debris above a predetermined threshold. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The system of claim 15, wherein the debris sensor is configured to send a signal to cause the sensor motor to cease operation upon detecting an amount of debris below a predetermined threshold. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The system of claim 15, wherein the debris sensor is configured to send a signal to cause the sensor motor to rotate at an increased rate upon detecting a first debris which is not being ejected from the sensor cover.