# US 2019/0314865 A1 · Cleaning apparatus for sensor

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- Number: US 2019/0314865 A1
- Document ID: US20190314865A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 15/954,636
- Filed: 2018-04-17
- Published: 2019-10-17
- Earliest claimed: 2018-04-17
- Assignees: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
- Applicants: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
- Inventors: Manan Sevak; David Doellstedt; Venkatesh Krishnan
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190314865A1

## CPC

- B08B 3/02: Cleaning by the force of jets or sprays
- B08B 5/02: Cleaning by the force of jets, e.g. blowing-out cavities {(airguns or nozzles per se B05B1/005)}
- 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)}
- 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

A cleaning apparatus includes a ring-shaped tube including first and second chambers from an inlet end to a terminal end, a compressed gas source connected to the first chamber, and a liquid reservoir connected to the second chamber. The tube includes a slot outwardly directed from the first chamber extending substantially from the inlet end to the terminal end, and a plurality of nozzles outwardly directed from the second chamber.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A cleaning apparatus comprising:
a tube including first and second chambers from an inlet end to a terminal end and including a slot outwardly directed from the first chamber extending substantially from the inlet end to the terminal end, and a plurality of nozzles outwardly directed from the second chamber;
a compressed gas source connected to the first chamber; and
a liquid reservoir connected to the second chamber.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The cleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein the tube is ring-shaped.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The cleaning apparatus of claim 2, wherein the slot and the nozzles are aimed at an axis defined by a line that is orthogonal to, and passes through a center of, a circle defining the tube.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

The cleaning apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a cylindrical sensor, wherein the slot and the nozzles are aimed at the sensor.

### Claim 5 (depends on 2)

The cleaning apparatus of claim 2, wherein the slot is disposed radially outside the nozzles.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The cleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein the slot extends along the tube with a constant width.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The cleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein a cross-sectional area of the first chamber is larger than a cross-sectional area of the second chamber.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The cleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein the nozzles are substantially evenly spaced along the tube.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The cleaning apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a windshield, wherein the liquid reservoir is arranged to supply liquid to the windshield.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The cleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein the compressed gas source is connected to the first chamber via a first inlet at the inlet end of the tube.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The cleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein the liquid reservoir is connected to the second chamber via a second inlet at the inlet end of the tube.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The cleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein the terminal end is closed.

### Claim 13

A method comprising:
providing a tube including first and second chambers from an inlet end to a terminal end, a slot outwardly directed from the first chamber extending substantially from the inlet end to the terminal end, and a plurality of nozzles outwardly directed from the second chamber;
supplying compressed gas to the first chamber; and
supplying liquid to the second chamber.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The method of claim 13, wherein the tube is ring-shaped.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The method of claim 14, wherein the slot and the nozzles are aimed at an axis defined by a line that is orthogonal to, and passes through a center of, a circle defining the tube.

### Claim 16 (depends on 14)

The method of claim 14, wherein the slot and the nozzles are aimed at a cylindrical sensor.

### Claim 17 (depends on 14)

The method of claim 14, wherein the slot is disposed radially outside the nozzles.

### Claim 18 (depends on 13)

The method of claim 13, wherein the slot extends along the tube with a constant width.

### Claim 19 (depends on 13)

The method of claim 13, wherein a cross-sectional area of the first chamber is larger than a cross-sectional area of the second chamber.

### Claim 20 (depends on 13)

The method of claim 13, further comprising supplying liquid to a windshield from a same source as for supplying liquid to the second chamber.