/Patent Tracker
GoogleGranted patentChips & hardwareInterest 4/10

Waymo patents spinning fan that adjusts airflow pressure for cooling

Patent drawing
Patent drawing from the official filing.

This patent describes a cooling system for electronic components that uses a rotating cover to manage airflow. As the cover spins, it passes over fixed vanes, using specific narrow points to increase air pressure and direct it through a duct.

Why it mattersIt offers a mechanical way to control cooling airflow in self-driving cars without relying solely on standard fans.

In the filing’s own words

Example embodiments relate to an air cooling system for an electronic spinning assembly. An example embodiment includes a plurality of vanes coupled to a static base. A vane cover is rotatably coupled to the static base. The vane cover includes at least one air inlet, at least one air duct extending from the vane cover, and at least one choke point disposed in the cover. The at least one choke point is configured to increase a pressure of the airflow.

What exactly they claim (claim 1)

1. A device comprising: a plurality of vanes coupled to a static base; a vane cover rotatably coupled to the static base, wherein the vane cover comprises: at least one air inlet; at least one air duct extending from the vane cover, wherein the at least one air duct comprises a fin stack, wherein the at least one air duct comprises an inlet and an outlet, wherein the outlet is configured to direct an airflow; and at least one choke point disposed in the vane cover, wherein the at least one choke point is configured to increase a pressure of the airflow, wherein rotation of the vane cover relative to the static base results in the at least one choke point passing over the plurality of vanes.

Facts

Company
Google (Waymo LLC)
Official title
Air cooling system for electronic spinning assembly
Patent number
US12768357B2
Application number
18960963
Filed
Nov 26, 2024
Granted
Oct 20, 2026
Inventors
3
Claims
20

Classified under

F04D 1/00 Mechanical engineeringB60H 1/00271 Operations & transportB60H 1/00521 Operations & transportF01D 25/28 Mechanical engineeringB60H 2001/003 Operations & transport
Read the full filing (official PDF) ↗ Open in the Patent Tracker

More from Google in Chips & hardware

Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.