Patent classifications
B60S1/50
VEHICLE SENSOR CLEANING SYSTEM
Disclosed herein are system, method, and computer program product embodiments for cleaning one or more sensors of an autonomous vehicle (AV) system. For example, the system includes a tank to store a solvent. A heat exchanger is disposed in the tank to transfer heat from a heated fluid to the solvent. A first actuator is provided to enable and disable fluid communication of the heated fluid from a coolant system to the heat exchanger. A nozzle is in fluid communication with the tank to spray the solvent on a sensor of an autonomous vehicle (AV) system to remove debris. A controller is programmed to control the first actuator to enable the fluid communication of the heated fluid to the heat exchanger to increase at least one of a temperature and a pressure of the solvent within the tank.
Dynamic control of aircraft windscreen wiper and wash system configuration parameters
Provided are embodiments for a system having an avionics system that is configured to dynamically communicate one or more configurable parameters of a wiper and wash system based at least in part on a selected mode, and an avionics bus that is configured to communicate dynamic parameters from the avionics system. The system also includes a wash system having a fluid reservoir and fluid level sensor, and a wiper system including a control unit (ECU) that is configured to operate the system based at least in part on the one or more configurable parameters, wherein the wiper system is coupled to the wash system and supplies the wash fluid to the wiper system. Also provided are embodiments of a method for performing dynamic control of the aircraft windscreen wiper and wash system configuration parameters.
Mirror cleaning system
A mirror cleaning system, an improved mirror for a vehicle having the system installed thereto, and a method of cleaning the improved mirror using the system. The system includes a housing attachable to a vehicle side mirror, a heating element operably connected to a power source, a wiper, and a spray nozzle fluidly connected to a cleaning fluid source. The system is designed to de-ice and de-frost the improved mirror, spray cleaning fluid thereon, and wipe debris and fluids to improve driver visibility.
Mirror cleaning system
A mirror cleaning system, an improved mirror for a vehicle having the system installed thereto, and a method of cleaning the improved mirror using the system. The system includes a housing attachable to a vehicle side mirror, a heating element operably connected to a power source, a wiper, and a spray nozzle fluidly connected to a cleaning fluid source. The system is designed to de-ice and de-frost the improved mirror, spray cleaning fluid thereon, and wipe debris and fluids to improve driver visibility.
Assembly for sensor cleaning with solenoid
An assembly includes an inlet tube and an outlet tube. The assembly includes a solenoid assembly having a plunger movable between an open position in which fluid is permitted to flow from the inlet tube to the outlet tube and a closed position in which fluid is inhibited from flowing from the inlet tube to the outlet tube. The solenoid assembly has a spring urging the plunger to the closed position. The assembly includes a first pressure sensor positioned to be compressed when the plunger is moved toward the open position. Pressure detected by the first pressure sensor indicates whether the plunger is at the open position. The assembly includes a second pressure sensor positioned to be compressed when the plunger is moved toward the closed position. Pressure detected by the second pressure sensor indicates whether the plunger is at the closed position.
Assembly for sensor cleaning with solenoid
An assembly includes an inlet tube and an outlet tube. The assembly includes a solenoid assembly having a plunger movable between an open position in which fluid is permitted to flow from the inlet tube to the outlet tube and a closed position in which fluid is inhibited from flowing from the inlet tube to the outlet tube. The solenoid assembly has a spring urging the plunger to the closed position. The assembly includes a first pressure sensor positioned to be compressed when the plunger is moved toward the open position. Pressure detected by the first pressure sensor indicates whether the plunger is at the open position. The assembly includes a second pressure sensor positioned to be compressed when the plunger is moved toward the closed position. Pressure detected by the second pressure sensor indicates whether the plunger is at the closed position.
Windshield washer fluid bottle heater
A disclosed windshield washer fluid storage system includes a fluid storage container with a thermal interface. The thermal interface provides for the transference of thermal energy into the container from a heat producing electrical component. Thermal energy from the component is communicating into the container to cool the component and heat washer fluid within the container.
Windshield washer fluid bottle heater
A disclosed windshield washer fluid storage system includes a fluid storage container with a thermal interface. The thermal interface provides for the transference of thermal energy into the container from a heat producing electrical component. Thermal energy from the component is communicating into the container to cool the component and heat washer fluid within the container.
Vehicle sensor cleaning
A solenoid valve in a manifold is commanded to move to a closed position. Upon activating a pump to supply fluid to the manifold via a supply line, a first pressure is determined in the supply line after commanding the solenoid valve to move to the closed position. Upon deactivating the pump to stop supplying fluid to the manifold, a second pressure is determined in the supply line. Based on a difference between the first pressure and the second pressure, the solenoid valve is determined to be one of (a) at least partially open or (b) in the closed position.
Vehicle sensor cleaning
A solenoid valve in a manifold is commanded to move to a closed position. Upon activating a pump to supply fluid to the manifold via a supply line, a first pressure is determined in the supply line after commanding the solenoid valve to move to the closed position. Upon deactivating the pump to stop supplying fluid to the manifold, a second pressure is determined in the supply line. Based on a difference between the first pressure and the second pressure, the solenoid valve is determined to be one of (a) at least partially open or (b) in the closed position.