Sensor condensation prevention
AssigneeWaymo LLC
InventorsPeter Craig Lombrozo, Jonathan Switkes
Life of this patent
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Abstract
This technology relates to a condensation reduction system for a sensor. The system may comprise a sensor cover, wherein the sensor cover is configured to house one or more sensor components, a flexible, external chamber, and a conduit. The external chamber may be communicably coupled to an interior of the sensor cover via the conduit configured such that during an increase of pressure of gas within the sensor cover the gas flows to the external chamber via the conduit and during a decrease in the pressure of gas within the sensor cover the gas flows from the external chamber to the sensor cover via the conduit.
Claims17
A condensation reduction system for a sensor, the system comprising:
- a sensor cover, wherein the sensor cover is configured to house one or more sensor components;
- a flexible, external chamber;
- a conduit;
- an airlock configured to pass condensed water vapor out of the condensation reduction system;
- and
- a chilling element positioned in line with the conduit, between the sensor cover and the flexible, external chamber,
- wherein the external chamber is communicably coupled to an interior of the sensor cover via the conduit configured such that during an increase of pressure of gas within the sensor cover the gas flows to the external chamber via the conduit and during a decrease in the pressure of gas within the sensor cover the gas flows from the external chamber to the sensor cover via the conduit, and wherein the chilling element is configured to condense water vapor within the gas as it flows to and from the external chamber.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.