Patents by Inventor Samuel William Lenius
Samuel William Lenius has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 11965988Abstract: A light detection and ranging (LIDAR) system can emit light toward an environment and detect responsively reflected light to determine a distance to one or more points in the environment. The reflected light can be detected by a plurality of plurality of photodiodes that are reverse-biased using a high voltage. Signals from the plurality of reverse-biased photodiodes can be amplified by respective transistors and applied to an analog-to-digital converter (ADC). The signal from a particular photodiode can be applied to the ADC by biasing a respective transistor corresponding to the particular photodiode while not biasing transistors corresponding to other photodiodes. The gain of each photodiode/transistor pair can be controlled by adjusting the bias voltage applied to each photodiode using a digital-to-analog converter. The gain of each photodiode/transistor pair can be controlled based on the detected temperature of each photodiode.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2022Date of Patent: April 23, 2024Assignee: Waymo LLCInventors: Pierre-Yves Droz, Samuel William Lenius
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Patent number: 11923658Abstract: A laser diode firing circuit for a light detection and ranging device is disclosed. The firing circuit includes a laser diode coupled in series to a transistor, such that current through the laser diode is controlled by the transistor. The laser diode is configured to emit a pulse of light in response to current flowing through the laser diode. The firing circuit includes a capacitor that is configured to charge via a charging path that includes an inductor and to discharge via a discharge path that includes the laser diode. The transistor controlling current through the laser diode can be a Gallium nitride field effect transistor.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2022Date of Patent: March 5, 2024Assignee: Waymo LLCInventors: Samuel William Lenius, Pierre-yves Droz
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Publication number: 20230406122Abstract: A rotatable LIDAR device including contactless electrical couplings is disclosed. An example rotatable LIDAR device includes a vehicle electrical coupling including (i) a first conductive ring, (ii) a second conductive ring, and (iii) a first coil. The example rotatable LIDAR device further includes a LIDAR electrical coupling including (i) a third conductive ring, (ii) a fourth conductive ring, and (iii) a second coil. The example rotatable LIDAR device still further includes a rotatable LIDAR electrically coupled to the LIDAR electrical coupling. The first conductive ring and the third conductive ring form a first capacitor configured to transmit communications to the rotatable LIDAR, the second conductive ring and the fourth conductive ring form a second capacitor configured to transmit communications from the rotatable LIDAR, and the first coil and the second coil form a transformer configured to provide power to the rotatable LIDAR.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 6, 2023Publication date: December 21, 2023Inventors: Samuel William Lenius, Pierre-yves Droz
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Patent number: 11780339Abstract: A rotatable LIDAR device including contactless electrical couplings is disclosed. An example rotatable LIDAR device includes a vehicle electrical coupling including (i) a first conductive ring, (ii) a second conductive ring, and (iii) a first coil. The example rotatable LIDAR device further includes a LIDAR electrical coupling including (i) a third conductive ring, (ii) a fourth conductive ring, and (iii) a second coil. The example rotatable LIDAR device still further includes a rotatable LIDAR electrically coupled to the LIDAR electrical coupling. The first conductive ring and the third conductive ring form a first capacitor configured to transmit communications to the rotatable LIDAR, the second conductive ring and the fourth conductive ring form a second capacitor configured to transmit communications from the rotatable LIDAR, and the first coil and the second coil form a transformer configured to provide power to the rotatable LIDAR.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2021Date of Patent: October 10, 2023Assignee: Waymo LLCInventors: Samuel William Lenius, Pierre-yves Droz
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Publication number: 20230238819Abstract: An intelligent energy system includes an energy-consuming appliance, a battery module coupled to the appliance, and a bidirectional converter coupled to the appliance and the battery module by a power bus. The battery module is configured to provide power to the appliance. The bidirectional converter converts between alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC) and interfaces with a power infrastructure external to the appliance. The system further includes a control unit communicatively coupled to the battery module, the bidirectional converter, and the appliance. The control unit is configured to determine a charge and discharge schedule for the battery module. The battery module coupled with the bidirectional converter provides uninterrupted power to the appliance, abstracts the power demands of the appliance from local power infrastructure, and allows for greater appliance peak power draw than would otherwise be practical or possible.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 11, 2023Publication date: July 27, 2023Inventors: Samuel Redmond D'Amico, Samuel William Lenius, Bradley James Tallon, Deanna James Chang, Brian H. Sharp
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Publication number: 20220155425Abstract: A light detection and ranging (LIDAR) system can emit light toward an environment and detect responsively reflected light to determine a distance to one or more points in the environment. The reflected light can be detected by a plurality of plurality of photodiodes that are reverse-biased using a high voltage. Signals from the plurality of reverse-biased photodiodes can be amplified by respective transistors and applied to an analog-to-digital converter (ADC). The signal from a particular photodiode can be applied to the ADC by biasing a respective transistor corresponding to the particular photodiode while not biasing transistors corresponding to other photodiodes. The gain of each photodiode/transistor pair can be controlled by adjusting the bias voltage applied to each photodiode using a digital-to-analog converter. The gain of each photodiode/transistor pair can be controlled based on the detected temperature of each photodiode.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 8, 2022Publication date: May 19, 2022Inventors: Pierre-Yves Droz, Samuel William Lenius
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Patent number: 11303096Abstract: A laser diode firing circuit for a light detection and ranging device is disclosed. The firing circuit includes a laser diode coupled in series to a transistor, such that current through the laser diode is controlled by the transistor. The laser diode is configured to emit a pulse of light in response to current flowing through the laser diode. The firing circuit includes a capacitor that is configured to charge via a charging path that includes an inductor and to discharge via a discharge path that includes the laser diode. The transistor controlling current through the laser diode can be a Gallium nitride field effect transistor.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2019Date of Patent: April 12, 2022Assignee: Waymo LLCInventors: Samuel William Lenius, Pierre-yves Droz
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Patent number: 11269064Abstract: A light detection and ranging (LIDAR) system can emit light toward an environment and detect responsively reflected light to determine a distance to one or more points in the environment. The reflected light can be detected by a plurality of plurality of photodiodes that are reverse-biased using a high voltage. Signals from the plurality of reverse-biased photodiodes can be amplified by respective transistors and applied to an analog-to-digital converter (ADC). The signal from a particular photodiode can be applied to the ADC by biasing a respective transistor corresponding to the particular photodiode while not biasing transistors corresponding to other photodiodes. The gain of each photodiode/transistor pair can be controlled by adjusting the bias voltage applied to each photodiode using a digital-to-analog converter. The gain of each photodiode/transistor pair can be controlled based on the detected temperature of each photodiode.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2021Date of Patent: March 8, 2022Assignee: Waymo LLCInventors: Pierre-Yves Droz, Samuel William Lenius
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Publication number: 20220032791Abstract: A rotatable LIDAR device including contactless electrical couplings is disclosed. An example rotatable LIDAR device includes a vehicle electrical coupling including (i) a first conductive ring, (ii) a second conductive ring, and (iii) a first coil. The example rotatable LIDAR device further includes a LIDAR electrical coupling including (i) a third conductive ring, (ii) a fourth conductive ring, and (iii) a second coil. The example rotatable LIDAR device still further includes a rotatable LIDAR electrically coupled to the LIDAR electrical coupling. The first conductive ring and the third conductive ring form a first capacitor configured to transmit communications to the rotatable LIDAR, the second conductive ring and the fourth conductive ring form a second capacitor configured to transmit communications from the rotatable LIDAR, and the first coil and the second coil form a transformer configured to provide power to the rotatable LIDAR.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 15, 2021Publication date: February 3, 2022Inventors: Samuel William Lenius, Pierre-yves Droz
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Patent number: 11180037Abstract: A rotatable LIDAR device including contactless electrical couplings is disclosed. An example rotatable LIDAR device includes a vehicle electrical coupling including (i) a first conductive ring, (ii) a second conductive ring, and (iii) a first coil. The example rotatable LIDAR device further includes a LIDAR electrical coupling including (i) a third conductive ring, (ii) a fourth conductive ring, and (iii) a second coil. The example rotatable LIDAR device still further includes a rotatable LIDAR electrically coupled to the LIDAR electrical coupling. The first conductive ring and the third conductive ring form a first capacitor configured to transmit communications to the rotatable LIDAR, the second conductive ring and the fourth conductive ring form a second capacitor configured to transmit communications from the rotatable LIDAR, and the first coil and the second coil form a transformer configured to provide power to the rotatable LIDAR.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2019Date of Patent: November 23, 2021Assignee: Waymo LLCInventors: Samuel William Lenius, Pierre-yves Droz
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Publication number: 20210333361Abstract: Systems and methods are described that relate to a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) device. The LIDAR device includes a fiber laser configured to emit light within a wavelength range, a scanning portion configured to direct the emitted light in a reciprocating manner about a first axis, and a plurality of detectors configured to sense light within the wavelength range. The device additionally includes a controller configured to receive target information, which may be indicative of an object, a position, a location, or an angle range. In response to receiving the target information, the controller may cause the rotational mount to rotate so as to adjust a pointing direction of the LIDAR. The controller is further configured to cause the LIDAR to scan a field-of-view (FOV) of the environment. The controller may determine a three-dimensional (3D) representation of the environment based on data from scanning the FOV.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2021Publication date: October 28, 2021Inventors: Pierre-yves Droz, Gaetan Pennecot, Anthony Levandowski, Drew Eugene Ulrich, Zach Morriss, Luke Wachter, Dorel Ionut Iordache, William McCann, Daniel Gruver, Bernard Fidric, Samuel William Lenius
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Patent number: 11054505Abstract: Systems and methods are described that relate to a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) device. The LIDAR device includes a fiber laser configured to emit light within a wavelength range, a scanning portion configured to direct the emitted light in a reciprocating manner about a first axis, and a plurality of detectors configured to sense light within the wavelength range. The device additionally includes a controller configured to receive target information, which may be indicative of an object, a position, a location, or an angle range. In response to receiving the target information, the controller may cause the rotational mount to rotate so as to adjust a pointing direction of the LIDAR. The controller is further configured to cause the LIDAR to scan a field-of-view (FOV) of the environment. The controller may determine a three-dimensional (3D) representation of the environment based on data from scanning the FOV.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2018Date of Patent: July 6, 2021Assignee: Waymo LLCInventors: Pierre-yves Droz, Gaetan Pennecot, Anthony Levandowski, Drew Eugene Ulrich, Zach Morriss, Luke Wachter, Dorel Ionut Iordache, William McCann, Daniel Gruver, Bernard Fidric, Samuel William Lenius
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Patent number: 11029396Abstract: A light detection and ranging (LIDAR) system can emit light toward an environment and detect responsively reflected light to determine a distance to one or more points in the environment. The reflected light can be detected by a plurality of plurality of photodiodes that are reverse-biased using a high voltage. Signals from the plurality of reverse-biased photodiodes can be amplified by respective transistors and applied to an analog-to-digital converter (ADC). The signal from a particular photodiode can be applied to the ADC by biasing a respective transistor corresponding to the particular photodiode while not biasing transistors corresponding to other photodiodes. The gain of each photodiode/transistor pair can be controlled by adjusting the bias voltage applied to each photodiode using a digital-to-analog converter. The gain of each photodiode/transistor pair can be controlled based on the detected temperature of each photodiode.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2019Date of Patent: June 8, 2021Assignee: Waymo LLCInventors: Pierre-Yves Droz, Samuel William Lenius
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Patent number: 10971787Abstract: A device is provided that includes a first waveguide configured to guide propagation of RF waves inside the first waveguide. A first side of the first waveguide is configured to emit an evanescent field associated with the propagation of the RF waves inside the first waveguide. The device also includes a second waveguide having a second side positioned within a predetermined distance to the first side of the first waveguide. The second waveguide is configured to guide propagation, inside the second waveguide, of induced RF waves associated with the evanescent field from the first waveguide. The device also includes a first probe coupled to the first waveguide and configured to emit the RF waves for propagation inside the first waveguide. The device also includes a second probe coupled to the second waveguide and configured to receive induced RF waves propagating inside the second waveguide.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2020Date of Patent: April 6, 2021Assignee: Waymo LLCInventors: Pierre-yves Droz, Adam Brown, Daniel L. Rosenband, Samuel William Lenius
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Patent number: 10862579Abstract: A device is provided that includes a first platform having a first side, and a second platform having a second side positioned within a predetermined distance to the first side. The device also includes an actuator configured to cause a relative rotation between the first platform and the second platform such that the first side of the first platform remains within the predetermined distance to the second side of the second platform. The device also includes a probe mounted to the first platform, and a plurality of probes mounted to the second platform. The device also includes a signal conditioner coupled to the plurality of probes. The signal conditioner may select one of the plurality of probes based on an orientation of the first platform relative to the second platform. The signal conditioner may then to use the selected probe for wireless communication with the probe on the first platform.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2018Date of Patent: December 8, 2020Assignee: Waymo LLCInventors: Daniel L. Rosenband, Pierre-Yves Droz, Min Wang, Etai Bruhis, Adam Brown, Samuel William Lenius
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Patent number: 10855129Abstract: A printed circuit board (PCB) includes a first plurality of conductive paths having first ends at an inner radius of the PCB and second ends at an outer radius of the PCB. The PCB further includes a second plurality of conductive paths having first ends at an outer radius of the PCB and second ends at an inner radius of the PCB. The PCB further includes a first plurality of conductive vias that pass through the PCB at the outer radius of the PCB and couple second ends of the first plurality of conductive paths to first ends of the second plurality of conductive paths. The PCB further includes a second plurality of conductive vias that pass through the PCB at the inner radius of the PCB and electrically couple second ends of the second plurality of conductive paths to first ends of the first plurality of conductive paths.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2017Date of Patent: December 1, 2020Assignee: Waymo LLCInventors: Samuel William Lenius, Paul Karplus, Alexander Danilo Zbrozek
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Patent number: 10594011Abstract: A device is provided that includes a first waveguide configured to guide propagation of RF waves inside the first waveguide. A first side of the first waveguide is configured to emit an evanescent field associated with the propagation of the RF waves inside the first waveguide. The device also includes a second waveguide having a second side positioned within a predetermined distance to the first side of the first waveguide. The second waveguide is configured to guide propagation, inside the second waveguide, of induced RF waves associated with the evanescent field from the first waveguide. The device also includes a first probe coupled to the first waveguide and configured to emit the RF waves for propagation inside the first waveguide. The device also includes a second probe coupled to the second waveguide and configured to receive induced RF waves propagating inside the second waveguide.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2019Date of Patent: March 17, 2020Assignee: Waymo LLCInventors: Pierre-yves Droz, Adam Brown, Daniel L. Rosenband, Samuel William Lenius
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Patent number: 10581221Abstract: A laser diode firing circuit for a light detection and ranging device is disclosed. The firing circuit includes a laser diode coupled in series to a transistor, such that current through the laser diode is controlled by the transistor. The laser diode is configured to emit a pulse of light in response to current flowing through the laser diode. The firing circuit includes a capacitor that is configured to charge via a charging path that includes an inductor and to discharge via a discharge path that includes the laser diode. The transistor controlling current through the laser diode can be a Gallium nitride field effect transistor.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2019Date of Patent: March 3, 2020Assignee: Waymo LLCInventors: Samuel William Lenius, Pierre-yves Droz
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Publication number: 20200052531Abstract: A rotatable LIDAR device including contactless electrical couplings is disclosed. An example rotatable LIDAR device includes a vehicle electrical coupling including (i) a first conductive ring, (ii) a second conductive ring, and (iii) a first coil. The example rotatable LIDAR device further includes a LIDAR electrical coupling including (i) a third conductive ring, (ii) a fourth conductive ring, and (iii) a second coil. The example rotatable LIDAR device still further includes a rotatable LIDAR electrically coupled to the LIDAR electrical coupling. The first conductive ring and the third conductive ring form a first capacitor configured to transmit communications to the rotatable LIDAR, the second conductive ring and the fourth conductive ring form a second capacitor configured to transmit communications from the rotatable LIDAR, and the first coil and the second coil form a transformer configured to provide power to the rotatable LIDAR.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 21, 2019Publication date: February 13, 2020Inventors: Samuel William Lenius, Pierre-yves Droz
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Patent number: RE48961Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2017Date of Patent: March 8, 2022Assignee: Waymo LLCInventors: Daniel Gruver, Pierre-Yves Droz, Gaetan Pennecot, Anthony Levandowski, Drew Eugene Ulrich, Zachary Morriss, Luke Wachter, Dorel Ionut Iordache, Rahim Pardhan, William McCann, Bernard Fidric, Samuel William Lenius, Peter Avram