Waymo LLC

Joshua Jones

Alexander Zbrozek

Gregory Hall

Pierre-yves Droz

Augusto Tazzoli

A method for operating a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) device is provided. The method includes driving, by an LLC resonant power converter, a wireless power signal at a primary winding of a transformer disposed on a first platform. The method includes transmitting the wireless power signal across a gap separating the first platform and a second platform. The second platform is configured to rotate relative to the first platform. The method includes receiving the wireless power signal at a secondary winding of the transformer. The secondary winding is disposed on the second platform. The method includes operating, by the LLC resonant power converter at a unity gain operating point and in an open loop mode without feedback control, a device mounted on the second platform based on the secondary winding receiving the wireless power signal.

Wireless power transfer via rotary link

A method includes applying, by a switching circuit, pulses of an input voltage to an input of an inductor. The method includes charging, in accordance with an off state of a switch, a charge storage device through the inductor using the pulses of the input voltage such that the circuit node develops a charge voltage that is greater than the input voltage. The method includes discharging, in accordance with an on state of the switch, the charge storage device such that a first portion of the charge voltage is applied to a light emitter and a second portion of the charge voltage is applied to parasitic inductance. The method includes controlling, by a controller, a timing of the pulses of the input voltage applied by the switching circuit based on a parasitic inductance from a previous charging cycle of the charge storage device, so as to control the charge voltage.

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Mountain View, CA, United States of America

Joshua Jones