Abstract: An apparatus includes a mass detection circuit coupled to a surface covered with a plurality of electrodes. The mass detection circuit is configured to detect a mass of a first droplet present on the surface. The apparatus further includes a transducer circuit coupled to a transducer, which is coupled to the surface and form a lens unit. The transducer circuit configured to excite a first vibration of the surface at a resonant frequency to form a high displacement region on the surface. The apparatus also includes a voltage excitation circuit coupled to the plurality of electrodes. In response to the detection of the mass of the first droplet, the voltage excitation circuit is configured to apply a sequence of differential voltages on one or more consecutive electrodes which moves the first droplet to the high displacement region.

Abstract: A lens structure system with a lens structure and a multi-segmented transducer coupled to the lens structure. Each segment in the plurality of segments has a first conductor and a second conductor, wherein the first conductor and the second conductor are electrically coupled to the segment. The system also has circuitry for applying a voltage to selected segments in the plurality of segments with standing wave signals and traveling wave signals.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for electrostatic control of expelled material for lens cleaners are disclosed. In certain described examples, an apparatus can expel fluid by atomization from a central area of the surface using an ultrasonic transducer mechanically coupled to the surface. A first electrode can be arranged relative to the central area of the surface. A second electrode can be located in a peripheral area relative to the central area of the surface, in which a voltage can be applied between the first and second electrodes to attract atomized fluid at the peripheral area.

Abstract: A lens structure system with a lens structure and a multi-segmented transducer coupled to the lens structure. Each segment in the plurality of segments has a first conductor and a second conductor, wherein the first conductor and the second conductor are electrically coupled to the segment. The system also has circuitry for applying a voltage to selected segments in the plurality of segments with standing wave signals and traveling wave signals.

Abstract: In described examples, a transducer vibrates a lens element in a heating mode and a cleaning mode. Controller circuitry activates the transducer in the heating mode in response to an estimated temperature, and activates the transducer in the cleaning mode after the transducer is activated in the heating mode.

Abstract: A lens structure system includes a lens structure and a multi-segmented transducer coupled to the lens structure. The multi-segmented transducer includes segments. Each segment is electrically coupled to a respective first conductor and a respective second conductor.

Abstract: In described examples, one or more devices include: apparatus including a lens element and a transducer to vibrate the lens element at an operating frequency when operating in an activated state; and controller circuitry. The controller circuitry is arranged to measure an impedance of the apparatus, to determine an estimated temperature of the apparatus in response to the measured impedance, to compare the estimated temperature against a temperature threshold for delineating an operating temperature range of the apparatus, and to toggle an activation state of the transducer in response to comparing the estimated temperature against the temperature threshold.

Abstract: An apparatus for mitigating contamination of an optical device comprises an open-topped, closed-sided, and closed-bottomed housing cup partially defining a protected volume to enclose the optical device. A housing cap encloses a top of the housing cup and partially defines the protected volume. The housing cap includes a top collar having an open central aperture. A top cover laterally spans the central aperture of the top collar. An interface structure circumscribes the top cover to suspend the top cover downwardly into the housing cup from the top collar. The interface structure prevents direct contact between the top cover and the top collar.

Abstract: Disclosed examples include lens cleaning systems, drivers and operating methods, including a transducer mechanically coupled to a lens, a driver to provide an oscillating drive signal to the transducer and a controller to control the drive signal frequency to vibrate the lens at frequencies in a range of interest. The controller determines a measured resonant frequency of the lens cleaning system in the range of interest according to a transducer feedback signal and selectively performs a lens cleaning operation if the measured resonant frequency differs from a baseline resonant frequency of the lens cleaning system for a clean lens.

Abstract: In described examples, a transducer vibrates a lens element at a first frequency and a different second frequency. Controller circuitry selects one of a cleaning mode and a heating mode in response to an estimated temperature of the lens element. The controller circuitry activates the transducer to vibrate the lens element at the first frequency in response to the controller circuitry selecting the cleaning mode. The controller circuitry activates the transducer to vibrate the lens element at the second frequency in response to the controller circuitry selecting the heating mode.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a mass detection circuit coupled to a surface covered with a plurality of electrodes. The mass detection circuit is configured to detect a mass of a first droplet present on the surface. The apparatus further includes a transducer circuit coupled to a transducer, which is coupled to the surface and form a lens unit. The transducer circuit configured to excite a first vibration of the surface at a resonant frequency to form a high displacement region on the surface. The apparatus also includes a voltage excitation circuit coupled to the plurality of electrodes. In response to the detection of the mass of the first droplet, the voltage excitation circuit is configured to apply a sequence of differential voltages on one or more consecutive electrodes which moves the first droplet to the high displacement region.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a mass detection circuit coupled to a surface covered with a plurality of electrodes. The mass detection circuit is configured to detect a mass of a first droplet present on the surface. The apparatus further includes a transducer circuit coupled to a transducer, which is coupled to the surface and form a lens unit. The transducer circuit configured to excite a first vibration of the surface at a resonant frequency to form a high displacement region on the surface. The apparatus also includes a voltage excitation circuit coupled to the plurality of electrodes. In response to the detection of the mass of the first droplet, the voltage excitation circuit is configured to apply a sequence of differential voltages on one or more consecutive electrodes which moves the first droplet to the high displacement region.

Abstract: A lens structure system with a lens structure and a multi-segmented transducer coupled to the lens structure. Each segment in the plurality of segments has a first conductor and a second conductor, wherein the first conductor and the second conductor are electrically coupled to the segment. The system also has circuitry for applying a voltage to selected segments in the plurality of segments with standing wave signals and traveling wave signals.

Abstract: For surface wetting control, an apparatus can expel fluid from a droplet on a surface using a transducer mechanically coupled to the surface. A first area of the surface can have a first wettability for the fluid, and a second area of the surface can have a second wettability for the fluid. The first wettability of the first area of the surface can be greater than the second wettability of the second area of the surface. The first area and the second area can have a patterned arrangement.

Abstract: A lens structure system with a lens structure and a multi-segmented transducer coupled to the lens structure. Each segment in the plurality of segments has a first conductor and a second conductor, wherein the first conductor and the second conductor are electrically coupled to the segment. The system also has circuitry for applying a voltage to selected segments in the plurality of segments with standing wave signals and traveling wave signals.

Abstract: In a method of expelling contaminants from a sensor, a change is measured in a resonant frequency of a sensor assembly to detect contaminants on a surface of the sensor assembly. A change is measured in a frequency response of the sensor assembly to determine a presence and an amount of the contaminants on the surface. A cleaning mode is determined based on an amount of the contaminants on the surface. A cleaning is determined phase based on the amount of the contaminants on the surface. A cleaning control signal is provided to an actuator of the sensor assembly to expel the contaminants from the surface.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for surface wetting control are disclosed. In certain described examples, an apparatus can expel fluid from a droplet on a surface using a transducer mechanically coupled to the surface. A first area of the surface can have a first wettability for the fluid, and a second area of the surface can have a second wettability for the fluid. The first wettability of the first area of the surface can be greater than the second wettability of the second area of the surface. The first area and the second area can be arranged in a patterned arrangement.

Abstract: A signal generator has a generator output. The signal generator is configured to generate first and second signals at the generator output. The first signal has a first frequency, and the second signal has a second frequency. Switching circuitry has a circuitry input and a circuitry output. The circuitry input is coupled to the generator output. The circuitry output is adapted to be coupled to an ultrasonic transducer mechanically coupled with a surface. The switching circuitry is configured to: provide the first signal to the ultrasonic transducer at the first frequency to reduce a fluid droplet on the surface from a first size to a second size; and provide the second signal to the ultrasonic transducer at the second frequency to reduce the fluid droplet from the second size to a third size.

Abstract: In described examples, one or more devices include: apparatus including a lens element and a transducer to vibrate the lens element at an operating frequency when operating in an activated state; and controller circuitry. The controller circuitry is arranged to measure an impedance of the apparatus, to determine an estimated temperature of the apparatus in response to the measured impedance, to compare the estimated temperature against a temperature threshold for delineating an operating temperature range of the apparatus, and to toggle an activation state of the transducer in response to comparing the estimated temperature against the temperature threshold.

Abstract: A lens structure system includes a lens structure and a multi-segmented transducer coupled to the lens structure. The multi-segmented transducer includes segments. Each segment is electrically coupled to a respective first conductor and a respective second conductor.