公开(公告)号：US20220082660A1

公开(公告)日：2022-03-17

申请号：US17121918

申请日：2020-12-15

Applicant: Waymo LLC

Inventor： Pierre-Yves Droz ,  Ralph H. Shepard ,  Augusto Tazzoli ,  David Hutchison ,  David Schleuning ,  Nathaniel Golshan ,  Nathaniel Quillin ,  Andrew Abo ,  Caner Onal ,  Michael Tom ,  Robert Lockwood ,  Kelvin Kwong ,  Daiwei Li ,  Drew Ulrich ,  Simon Ellgas ,  Chandra Kakani ,  Erin Eppard ,  Samuel Lenius ,  Justin Andrade ,  James Dunphy

IPC: G01S7/484 ,  G01S7/481 ,  G01F23/00 ,  G01S17/931 ,  G01S17/89

Abstract: Example embodiments relate to light detection and ranging (lidar) devices having a light-guide manifold. An example lidar device includes a transmit subsystem. The transmit subsystem includes a light emitter. The transmit subsystem also includes a light-guide manifold optically coupled to the light emitter. Further, the transmit subsystem includes a telecentric lens assembly optically coupled to the light-guide manifold. The lidar device also includes a receive subsystem. The receive subsystem includes the telecentric lens assembly. The receive subsystem also includes an aperture plate having an aperture defined therein. The aperture plate is positioned at a focal plane of the telecentric lens assembly. Further, the receive subsystem includes a silicon photomultiplier (SiPM) positioned to receive light traveling through the aperture.

公开(公告)号：US20230266440A1

公开(公告)日：2023-08-24

申请号：US17651732

申请日：2022-02-18

Applicant: Waymo LLC

Inventor： Rutvik Acharya ,  Simon Ellgas ,  Justin Andrade ,  Jun Hou ,  Andreas Bauer ,  Zhaokun Wang

IPC: G01S7/481 ,  G01S17/931

CPC classification number: G01S7/4813 ,  G01S17/931

Abstract: Example embodiments relate to a sensor unit with rotating housing and spoiler for enhanced airflow. An example device includes one or more sensors configured to sense one or more aspects of an environment surrounding the device. The device also includes a housing that at least partially surrounds the one or more sensors. The housing and the one or more sensors are configured to rotate about a shared axis. The housing includes an inlet configured to act as an air intake for an airflow through the housing. The airflow is configured to cool the one or more sensors while the one or more sensors are operating. Further, the device includes a spoiler positioned on or near the inlet. The spoiler is configured to increase an air pressure near the inlet or promote laminar flow near the inlet in order to promote the airflow through the housing.

公开(公告)号：US20230194669A1

公开(公告)日：2023-06-22

申请号：US17645615

申请日：2021-12-22

Applicant: Waymo LLC

Inventor： Jason Watson ,  David Duff ,  Justin Andrade ,  Blaise Gassend ,  Alex Bogatko ,  Alex Rivas ,  Michael Brickner ,  Yeh-Jiun Tung ,  Hui Son

IPC: G01S7/481

CPC classification number: G01S7/4813 ,  G01S7/4817 ,  G01S7/4812

Abstract: An example lidar system includes a housing defining an interior space. The housing includes at least one optical window. The lidar system also includes a rotatable mirror assembly disposed within the interior space. The rotatable mirror assembly includes a transmit mirror portion and a receive mirror portion. The lidar system additionally includes a transmitter disposed within the interior space. The transmitter is configured to emit emission light into an environment of the lidar system along a transmit path. The lidar system also includes a receiver disposed within the interior space. The receiver is configured to detect return light that is received from the environment along a receive path. The lidar system additionally includes at least one optical baffle configured to minimize stray light in the interior space.