Waymo LLC

Google Inc.

Rahim Pardhan

Bernard G Fidric

Pierre-yves Droz

William McCann

Drew Eugene Ulrich

Samuel William Lenius

Anthony Scott Levandowski

Gaetan Pennecot

Luke Wachter

Zachary Morriss

Daniel Gruver

Dorel Ionut Iordache

Peter Avram

Daniel Rosenfeld

Pierre-Yves Droz

Caner Onal

Vadim Gutnik

Laila Mattos

William Mccann

Blaise Gassend

Ionut Iordache

A vehicle is provided that includes one or more wheels positioned at a bottom side of the vehicle. The vehicle also includes a first light detection and ranging device (LIDAR) positioned at a top side of the vehicle opposite to the bottom side. The first LIDAR is configured to scan an environment around the vehicle based on rotation of the first LIDAR about an axis. The first LIDAR has a first resolution. The vehicle also includes a second LIDAR configured to scan a field-of-view of the environment that extends away from the vehicle along a viewing direction of the second LIDAR. The second LIDAR has a second resolution. The vehicle also includes a controller configured to operate the vehicle based on the scans of the environment by the first LIDAR and the second LIDAR.

Vehicle with multiple light detection and ranging devices (LIDARs)

Described herein is a LIDAR device that may include a transmitter, first and second receivers, and a rotating platform. The transmitter may be configured to emit light having a vertical beam width. The first receiver may be configured to detect light at a first resolution while scanning the environment with a first FOV and the second receiver may be configured to detect light at a second resolution while scanning the environment with a second FOV. In this arrangement, the first resolution may be higher than the second resolution, the first FOV may be at least partially different from the second FOV, and the vertical beam width may encompass at least a vertical extent of the first and second FOVs. Further, the rotating platform may be configured to rotate about an axis such that the transmitter and first and second receivers each move based on the rotation.

Light detection and ranging (LIDAR) device having multiple receivers

The present disclosure relates to a fiber encapsulation mechanism for energy dissipation in a fiber amplifying system. One example embodiment includes an optical fiber amplifier. The optical fiber amplifier includes an optical fiber that includes a gain medium, as well as a polymer layer that at least partially surrounds the optical fiber. The polymer layer is optically transparent. In addition, the optical fiber amplifier includes a pump source. Optical pumping by the pump source amplifies optical signals in the optical fiber and generates excess heat and excess photons. The optical fiber amplifier additionally includes a heatsink layer disposed adjacent to the polymer layer. The heatsink layer conducts the excess heat away from the optical fiber. Further, the optical fiber amplifier includes an optically transparent layer disposed adjacent to the polymer layer. The optically transparent layer transmits the excess photons away from the optical fiber.

Multi-stage optical fiber amplifier

The present disclosure relates to systems and methods that facilitate compliance of a laser device with a laser safety threshold. An example method includes receiving, from a sensing circuit, an operating voltage that is indicative of a charge of a capacitive element of a laser pulser circuit. The method also includes comparing a first voltage indicative of the operating voltage and a second voltage indicative of a reference voltage. The method additionally includes providing an output value based on the comparing. The method yet further includes evaluating compliance with the laser safety threshold based on the output value.

Laser safety comparator

An example apparatus may include a first plate having a first side. A first plurality of fins may be integral with the first side of the first plate and protruding perpendicularly therefrom. The first plurality of fins may be arranged in first concentric circles separated radially by a first distance. The apparatus may also include a second plate having a first side. The second plate may be rotatably coupled to the first plate. A second plurality of fins may be integral with the first side of the second plate and protruding perpendicularly therefrom. The second plurality of fins may be arranged in second concentric circles separated radially by the first distance. Each fin of the second plurality of fins may interpose between adjacent fins of the first plurality of fins to transfer heat between the second plate and the first plate.

Thermal rotary link

Fiber encapsulation mechanism for energy dissipation in a fiber amplifying system

Vehicle with multiple light detection and ranging devices (LIDARS)

Growing community of inventors

San Francisco, CA, United States of America

Rahim Pardhan