Contactless electrical coupling for a rotatable LIDAR device

    公开(公告)号:US12187141B2

    公开(公告)日:2025-01-07

    申请号:US18461646

    申请日:2023-09-06

    Applicant: Waymo LLC

    Abstract: A rotatable LIDAR device including contactless electrical couplings is disclosed. An example rotatable LIDAR device includes a vehicle electrical coupling including (i) a first conductive ring, (ii) a second conductive ring, and (iii) a first coil. The example rotatable LIDAR device further includes a LIDAR electrical coupling including (i) a third conductive ring, (ii) a fourth conductive ring, and (iii) a second coil. The example rotatable LIDAR device still further includes a rotatable LIDAR electrically coupled to the LIDAR electrical coupling. The first conductive ring and the third conductive ring form a first capacitor configured to transmit communications to the rotatable LIDAR, the second conductive ring and the fourth conductive ring form a second capacitor configured to transmit communications from the rotatable LIDAR, and the first coil and the second coil form a transformer configured to provide power to the rotatable LIDAR.

    Detection of Pedestrian Using Radio Devices

    公开(公告)号:US20250002009A1

    公开(公告)日:2025-01-02

    申请号:US18828864

    申请日:2024-09-09

    Applicant: Waymo LLC

    Inventor: Pierre-yves Droz

    Abstract: The present radio system transmits an electromagnetic signal to nearby devices requesting the device respond. The radio system also receives responses to the electromagnetic signal from the nearby devices. Based on the radio technology used, the signaling of the transmitted electromagnetic signal may be varied. For example, the transmitted electromagnetic signal may be a Bluetooth, 802.11, or other radio signal. A device that received the signal from the radio unit may transmit a response signal with the same radio technology. However, in some instances, the radio technology used for communication may operate on several radio (e.g., frequency) channels. Both the transmitter and receiver must operate on the same channel at the same time in order to communicate. Thus, it may be desirable to transmit the electromagnetic signal on more than one channel at the same time, in order to increase the chances that a nearby device responds.

    Rotatable mirror assemblies
    4.
    发明授权

    公开(公告)号:US11536809B1

    公开(公告)日:2022-12-27

    申请号:US16778707

    申请日:2020-01-31

    Applicant: Waymo LLC

    Abstract: Rotatable mirror assemblies and light detection and ranging systems containing rotatable mirror assemblies are described herein. An example rotatable mirror assembly may include (1) a housing having a top end, a bottom end, and a longitudinal axis intersecting the top and bottom ends, and (2) a set of reflective surfaces, where each reflective surface in the set is coupled to the top end of the housing and the bottom end of the housing such that each reflective surface possesses limited freedom of movement with respect to the housing.

    Contactless Electrical Coupling for a Rotatable LIDAR Device

    公开(公告)号:US20220032791A1

    公开(公告)日:2022-02-03

    申请号:US17502846

    申请日:2021-10-15

    Applicant: Waymo LLC

    Abstract: A rotatable LIDAR device including contactless electrical couplings is disclosed. An example rotatable LIDAR device includes a vehicle electrical coupling including (i) a first conductive ring, (ii) a second conductive ring, and (iii) a first coil. The example rotatable LIDAR device further includes a LIDAR electrical coupling including (i) a third conductive ring, (ii) a fourth conductive ring, and (iii) a second coil. The example rotatable LIDAR device still further includes a rotatable LIDAR electrically coupled to the LIDAR electrical coupling. The first conductive ring and the third conductive ring form a first capacitor configured to transmit communications to the rotatable LIDAR, the second conductive ring and the fourth conductive ring form a second capacitor configured to transmit communications from the rotatable LIDAR, and the first coil and the second coil form a transformer configured to provide power to the rotatable LIDAR.

    Method for manufacturing light guide elements

    公开(公告)号:US10962883B2

    公开(公告)日:2021-03-30

    申请号:US16684955

    申请日:2019-11-15

    Applicant: Waymo LLC

    Abstract: Systems and methods described herein relate to the manufacture of optical elements and optical systems. An example method includes overlaying a first mask on a photoresist material and a substrate, and causing a light source to illuminate the photoresist material through the first mask during a first exposure so as to define a first feature. During the first exposure, the light source is positioned at a non-normal angle with respect to a plane parallel to the substrate. The method includes developing the photoresist material so as to retain an elongate portion of the photoresist material on the substrate. A first end of the elongate portion includes an angled portion that is sloped at an angle with respect to a long axis of the elongate portion. The method also includes depositing a reflective material through a second mask onto the angled portion.

    Rotatable mirror assemblies
    8.
    发明授权

    公开(公告)号:US10578718B1

    公开(公告)日:2020-03-03

    申请号:US15445971

    申请日:2017-02-28

    Applicant: Waymo LLC

    Abstract: Rotatable mirror assemblies and light detection and ranging systems containing rotatable mirror assemblies are described herein. An example rotatable mirror assembly may include (1) a housing having a top end, a bottom end, and a longitudinal axis intersecting the top and bottom ends, and (2) a set of reflective surfaces, where each reflective surface in the set is coupled to the top end of the housing and the bottom end of the housing such that each reflective surface possesses limited freedom of movement with respect to the housing.

    Contactless Electrical Coupling for a Rotatable LIDAR Device

    公开(公告)号:US20200052531A1

    公开(公告)日:2020-02-13

    申请号:US16658499

    申请日:2019-10-21

    Applicant: Waymo LLC

    Abstract: A rotatable LIDAR device including contactless electrical couplings is disclosed. An example rotatable LIDAR device includes a vehicle electrical coupling including (i) a first conductive ring, (ii) a second conductive ring, and (iii) a first coil. The example rotatable LIDAR device further includes a LIDAR electrical coupling including (i) a third conductive ring, (ii) a fourth conductive ring, and (iii) a second coil. The example rotatable LIDAR device still further includes a rotatable LIDAR electrically coupled to the LIDAR electrical coupling. The first conductive ring and the third conductive ring form a first capacitor configured to transmit communications to the rotatable LIDAR, the second conductive ring and the fourth conductive ring form a second capacitor configured to transmit communications from the rotatable LIDAR, and the first coil and the second coil form a transformer configured to provide power to the rotatable LIDAR.

    Waveguide Apparatus with High Speed Dual Channel Wireless Contactless Rotary Joint

    公开(公告)号:US20200014086A1

    公开(公告)日:2020-01-09

    申请号:US16533519

    申请日:2019-08-06

    Applicant: Waymo LLC

    Abstract: A vehicle having a communication system is disclosed. The system includes two electrical couplings, coupled by way of a rotary joint having a bearing waveguide. Each electrical coupling includes an interface waveguide configured to couple to external signals. Each electrical coupling also includes a waveguide section configured to propagate electromagnetic signals between the interface waveguide and the bearing waveguide of the rotary joint. Additionally, the rotary joint is configured to allow one electrical coupling to rotate with respect to the other electrical coupling. An axis of rotation of the rotary joint is defined by a center of a portion of the waveguides. Yet further, the rotary joint allows electromagnetic energy to propagate between the waveguides of the electrical couplings.

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