Windshield system for keeping debris away and removing debris from its outer surface

A windshield system for keeping debris away or removing debris from the windshield, the system comprising:

• an outer glass surface of the windshield having a first shape and comprising a plurality of through-holes;
• a solid inner glass surface of the windshield having a second shape substantially the same as the first shape, the solid inner surface being positioned behind the outer surface and sealably connected to the outer surface along each of a plurality of edges to form one or more sealed chambers between the outer and solid inner surfaces such that air between the outer and inner windshield surfaces can only escape through the through-holes;
• and
• an air pump coupled to one or more nozzles, the one or more nozzles being situated in one or more openings on a given one of the plurality of edges, wherein the air pump is configured to supply pressurized air to the one or more sealed chambers through the one or more nozzles such that the pressurized air is forced through the through-holes to thereby force debris away from or off the outer surface.

A method for keeping debris away or removing debris from a windshield, the method comprising:

• detecting, by a sensor positioned on or near the windshield, an amount of debris on or in proximity to an outer glass surface of the windshield, wherein the outer surface comprises a plurality of micro-holes therethrough and wherein the outer surface is sealably connected to a solid inner glass surface along each of a plurality of edges to form one or more sealed chambers between the outer and solid inner surfaces such that air between the outer and inner windshield surfaces can only escape through the micro-holes;
• determining, by a controller, that the amount of debris meets a given threshold;
• activating, by the controller, an air pump based at least on the determination, the air pump being coupled to one or more nozzles, the one or more nozzles being situated in one or more openings on a given one of the plurality of edges;
• and
• supplying, by the air pump, pressurized air into the one or more sealed chambers and out through the micro-holes to form a barrier layer of pressurized air on the outer surface.