Gm Cruise Holdings LLC

Nathaniel Barrett Herse

Roger Lo

Joel Frederic Jensen

Michael Shagam

Hui Li

Wesley Newhouse

Kevin Sheppard

Systems and methods are provided for a baffle assembly for an optical sensor. In one aspect, the baffle assembly is coupled to an optical sensor that is mounted on an autonomous vehicle. The baffle assembly can include a baffle housing coupled to the optical sensor at a proximal edge, and configured to at least partially enclose a field of view of the optical sensor. Additionally, the baffle assembly may include one or more nozzles that are configured to project fluid toward a surface of a lens of the optical sensor.

Baffle assembly

The disclosed technology provides solutions for measuring seal characteristics and in particular, for precisely measuring frictional characteristics of a rotary seal. In some aspects, a seal testing apparatus of the disclosed technology can include a motor coupled to a proximal end of a shaft, a rotator coupled to a distal end of the shaft, and a housing disposed around an exterior surface of the rotator, wherein the housing is configured to removably receive at least one seal. In some aspects the seal-testing apparatus can further include a torque transducer coupled to the shaft, wherein the torque transducer is configured to measure a torque output of the motor.

Rotary seal testing apparatus

Examples of the present disclosure provide an apparatus comprising: a wiper assembly and a sensor assembly. The wiper assembly may include: a linkage assembly; a wiper blade removably attached to the linkage assembly; and a actuator coupled to the linkage assembly and configured to enable rotation of the linkage assembly around a shaft. The sensor assembly may include: a plurality of optical sensors arranged along a linear axis; and a window between the plurality of optical sensors and the wiper assembly. The wiper blade is longitudinally oriented parallel to the linear axis, and the wiper blade is configured to translate in a direction perpendicular to the linear axis while maintaining contact with the window during translation.

Parallel motion window wiper in an autonomous vehicle

Technologies for steering sensors in a sensor carrier structure on an autonomous vehicle (AV) are described herein. In some examples, a sensor positioning platform on an AV can include an actuator system including a motor configured to move and reposition a sensor carrier structure having a plurality of sensors; a motor controller configured to receive instructions for controlling the motor to reposition the sensor carrier structure and, based on the instructions, send to the motor control signals configured to control the motor to reposition the sensor carrier structure; one or more hoses arranged within tubes mounted to a portion of the actuator system and configured to output sensor cleaning substances through a thru-bore on the actuator system; and one or more cleaning systems configured to receive the sensor cleaning substances and spray the sensor cleaning substances on one or more sensors on the sensor carrier structure.

Rotating sensor platform for autonomous vehicles

Cable management systems for rotatable sensors on an autonomous vehicle (AV) are described herein. In some examples, a rotatable cable assembly can include a first portion having a spool, a sidewall surrounding the spool to form a cavity, and a shaft extending from the spool; a second portion coupled to the shaft and configured to rotate relative to the first portion; a flexible cable stored by the spool in a coiled configuration within the cavity; a first circuit on the first portion including a first connector coupled to an end of the flexible cable and configured to connect to components on an AV and/or a sensor platform base that is coupled to the AV and includes the rotary cable assembly; and a second circuit on the second portion including a second connector coupled to another end of the flexible cable and configured to rotate with the second portion.

Rotary cable management system for sensor platforms

Technologies for steering sensors in a sensor carrier structure on an autonomous vehicle (AV) are described herein. In some examples, a sensor positioning platform on an AV can include an actuator system including a motor; a belt mechanically engaged to a set of pulleys such that operation of the motor results in the belt driving a first rotational movement of at least one of the pulleys, which, in turn, causes a second rotational movement of a sensor carrier structure; a motor controller that receives instructions for controlling the motor to reposition the sensor carrier structure and sending control signals to the motor to perform the repositioning of the sensor carrier structure; and a bundle of cables coiled within a central bore of the actuator system.

Growing community of inventors

San Francisco, CA, United States of America

Nathaniel Barrett Herse