-
公开(公告)号：US20210096319A1
公开(公告)日：2021-04-01
申请号：US16586144
申请日：2019-09-27
Applicant: Waymo LLC
Inventor： Matthew Last , John Henrie , Chandra Kakani , Ralph Shepard , Drew Ulrich
IPC: G02B7/02
Abstract: The technology relates to lens assemblies for sensor units that provide a low but consistent preload force over the entire operational temperature range of the device. Consistent preloading helps to avoid cracking and plastic deformation. In particular, a compliant structure of a polymeric material is able to expand and contract across temperature extremes. In addition, the polymeric material is arranged in conjunction with a retainer ring to form a discontinuous seal with the lens. This provides in a leak path that is able to reduce condensation or contaminants. As a result, moisture within the sensor unit is permitted to escape, reducing or eliminating impairments on the lens or other parts of the sensor unit that could otherwise impair device operation.
-
公开(公告)号：US10931080B2
公开(公告)日：2021-02-23
申请号：US16133502
申请日：2018-09-17
Applicant: Waymo LLC
Inventor： Paul Karplus , Matthew Last
Abstract: The present disclosure relates to optical systems and methods for their manufacture. An example method includes coupling a first surface of a light-emitter substrate to a reference surface of a carrier substrate. The method also includes registering a mold structure with respect to the reference surface of the carrier substrate. Furthermore, the method includes using the mold structure to form an optical material over at least a portion of the light-emitter substrate. The optical material is shaped according to a shape of the mold structure and includes at least one registration feature. The method also includes coupling an optical lens element to the optical material such that the optical lens element is registered to the at least one registration feature.
-
公开(公告)号：US20200091676A1
公开(公告)日：2020-03-19
申请号：US16133502
申请日：2018-09-17
Applicant: Waymo LLC
Inventor： Paul Karplus , Matthew Last
Abstract: The present disclosure relates to optical systems and methods for their manufacture. An example method includes coupling a first surface of a light-emitter substrate to a reference surface of a carrier substrate. The method also includes registering a mold structure with respect to the reference surface of the carrier substrate. Furthermore, the method includes using the mold structure to form an optical material over at least a portion of the light-emitter substrate. The optical material is shaped according to a shape of the mold structure and includes at least one registration feature. The method also includes coupling an optical lens element to the optical material such that the optical lens element is registered to the at least one registration feature.
-
24.发明公开公开(公告)号：US20240319378A1
公开(公告)日：2024-09-26
申请号：US18731976
申请日：2024-06-03
Applicant: Waymo LLC
Inventor： David Schleuning , James Dunphy , Augusto Tazzoli , Matthew Last
IPC: G01S17/931 , G01S7/481 , H01S5/183 , H01S5/42
CPC classification number: G01S17/931 , G01S7/4815 , H01S5/183 , H01S5/423
Abstract: Example embodiments relate to light detection and ranging (lidar) devices having vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) emitters. An example lidar device includes an array of individually addressable VCSELs configured to emit light pulses into an environment surrounding the lidar device. The lidar device also includes a firing circuit configured to selectively fire the individually addressable VCSELs in the array. In addition, the lidar device includes a controller configured to control the firing circuit using a control signal. Further, the lidar device includes a plurality of detectors. Each detector in the plurality of detectors is configured to detect reflections of light pulses that are emitted by one or more individually addressable VCSELs in the array and reflected by one or more objects in the environment surrounding the lidar device.
-
25.发明授权公开(公告)号：US12072422B2
公开(公告)日：2024-08-27
申请号：US17513973
申请日：2021-10-29
Applicant: Waymo LLC
Inventor： David Schleuning , James Dunphy , Augusto Tazzoli , Matthew Last
IPC: G01S17/931 , G01S7/481 , H01S5/183 , H01S5/42
CPC classification number: G01S17/931 , G01S7/4815 , H01S5/183 , H01S5/423
Abstract: Example embodiments relate to light detection and ranging (lidar) devices having vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) emitters. An example lidar device includes an array of individually addressable VCSELs configured to emit light pulses into an environment surrounding the lidar device. The lidar device also includes a firing circuit configured to selectively fire the individually addressable VCSELs in the array. In addition, the lidar device includes a controller configured to control the firing circuit using a control signal. Further, the lidar device includes a plurality of detectors. Each detector in the plurality of detectors is configured to detect reflections of light pulses that are emitted by one or more individually addressable VCSELs in the array and reflected by one or more objects in the environment surrounding the lidar device.
-
Patent Agency Ranking
公开(公告)号：US20230273006A1
公开(公告)日：2023-08-31
申请号：US18143214
申请日：2023-05-04
Applicant: Waymo LLC
Inventor： Shashank Sharma , Matthew Last , Prasanna Kalkura , Paul Schaefer
Abstract: An apparatus includes a lens assembly that includes at least one lens that defines an optical axis. The apparatus also includes a substrate, an image sensor disposed on the substrate, and an actuator coupled to the substrate and configured to adjust a position of the substrate relative to the lens assembly to move the image sensor along the optical axis. The apparatus additionally includes a capacitive position sensor that includes a first capacitive plate coupled to the substrate and a second capacitive plate coupled to the lens assembly. The capacitive position sensor may be configured to generate a capacitance measurement indicative of the position of the substrate relative to the lens assembly. The apparatus further includes circuitry configured to control the actuator based on (i) the capacitance measurement and (ii) a target position of the image sensor relative to the lens assembly.
-
公开(公告)号：US11681031B2
公开(公告)日：2023-06-20
申请号：US17405683
申请日：2021-08-18
Applicant: Waymo LLC
Inventor： Ralph Shepard , Pierre-Yves Droz , Matthew Last , Bryce Remesch
CPC classification number: G01S7/497 , G01S17/89 , G01S2007/4975
Abstract: The present disclosure relates to optical systems and methods of their operation. An example optical system includes an optical component and one or more light sources configured to emit a light signal. The light signal interacts with the optical component so as to provide an interaction light signal. The optical system also includes a detector configured to detect at least a portion of the interaction light signal as a detected light signal. The optical system additionally includes a controller configured to carry out operations including causing the one or more light sources to emit the light signal and receiving the detected light signal from the detector. The operations also include determining, based on the detected light signal, that one or more defects are associated with the optical component.
-
公开(公告)号：US11658166B2
公开(公告)日：2023-05-23
申请号：US17378959
申请日：2021-07-19
Applicant: Waymo LLC
Inventor： Matthew Last , Ajaya Chilumula
IPC: H01L25/16 , H01L31/02 , G01S7/481 , H01S5/0237 , H01S5/02253
CPC classification number: H01L25/167 , G01S7/4813 , H01L31/02005 , H01S5/0237 , H01S5/02253
Abstract: The present disclosure relates to optical systems and methods for their manufacture. An example optical system includes a first substrate having a mounting surface and a spacer structure having at least one cavity. The spacer structure is coupled to the mounting surface of the first substrate. The optical system also includes a light-emitter device that is coupled to the spacer structure and a detector device coupled to the first substrate such that the at least one detector device is disposed within the at least one cavity of the spacer structure. The optical system also includes a second substrate that mounts a lens and a waveguide and is coupled to the spacer structure. The optical system also includes a shim coupled between the second surface of the spacer structure and a mounting surface of the second substrate.
-
公开(公告)号：US20230148358A1
公开(公告)日：2023-05-11
申请号：US17453748
申请日：2021-11-05
Applicant: Waymo LLC
Inventor： Shashank Sharma , Matthew Last , Prasanna Kalkura , Paul Schaefer
CPC classification number: G01B7/003 , G02B7/102 , H04N5/23212 , H04N5/2254
Abstract: An apparatus includes a lens assembly that includes at least one lens that defines an optical axis. The apparatus also includes a substrate, an image sensor disposed on the substrate, and an actuator coupled to the substrate and configured to adjust a position of the substrate relative to the lens assembly to move the image sensor along the optical axis. The apparatus additionally includes a capacitive position sensor that includes a first capacitive plate coupled to the substrate and a second capacitive plate coupled to the lens assembly. The capacitive position sensor may be configured to generate a capacitance measurement indicative of the position of the substrate relative to the lens assembly. The apparatus further includes circuitry configured to control the actuator based on (i) the capacitance measurement and (ii) a target position of the image sensor relative to the lens assembly.
-
公开(公告)号：US11206732B2
公开(公告)日：2021-12-21
申请号：US16460963
申请日：2019-07-02
Applicant: Waymo LLC
Inventor： Matthew Last , Unique Rahangdale , Giulia Guidi , Roya Mirhosseini-Schubert
Abstract: The present disclosure relates to optical systems and methods of their manufacture. An example system includes a printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) and an image sensor package coupled to the PCBA by way of a plurality of bond members. The system additionally includes a sensor holder coupled to the PCBA. The image sensor package and the sensor holder are coupled to the PCBA so as to minimize thermally-induced stresses in at least one of: the plurality of bond members, the PCBA, the sensor holder, or the image sensor package.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Search Results
34
records
(took 0.02 seconds)
