Waymo LLC

Darren Xinhang Chen

Alexander Meade

Sabareeshkumar Ravikumar

Example embodiments relate to methods of increasing a temperature of a computer module to start the computer at environmental temperatures below a threshold temperature. An example embodiment includes receiving, at one or more computing components thermally coupled to a main computer via a liquid-cooled plate, a set of program instructions. The method can also include running the set of program instructions on at least one computing component. Running the set of program instructions on the computing component can generate heat that flows to the main computer via the liquid-cooled plate. The method can additionally include detecting, from at least one thermal sensor coupled to the liquid-cooled plate, a temperature reading indicative of a temperature of the main computer. The method can further include determining that the temperature reading has reached a predetermined temperature threshold and based on the temperature reading reaching the predetermined temperature threshold, powering on the main computer.

Method of temperature conditioning compute module for cold start

Aspects of the disclosure relate to reducing replacing a desiccant cartridge based upon a condensation risk. In one example, first information corresponding to a current dew point within a sensor housing of a sensor and second information identifying temperature data corresponding to a predefined area where the sensor is projected to travel may be received. Based upon the first and second information a condensation risk corresponding to the likelihood of condensation forming within the sensor housing in the event it traveled within the predefined area based upon the current dew point and the temperature data may be determined. Based upon the determined condensation risk, an indication that a desiccant cartridge within the sensor housing should be replaced to reduce the current dew point and the condensation risk may be provided.

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Sunnyvale, CA, United States of America

Darren Xinhang Chen