Sensor-drainage apparatus
A sensor apparatus includes a cylindrical sensor window defining an axis oriented vertically, at least one air nozzle positioned below the sensor window and aimed upward, and a cap positioned above the sensor window and including a topside and an underside. The topside and the underside are disposed radially outward from the sensor window. The underside includes a first groove having a cross-section elongated circumferentially around the axis, and the cross-section of the first groove curves from a lower end upwardly and outwardly to an upper end.
1. A sensor apparatus comprising:
a cylindrical sensor window defining an axis oriented substantially vertically;
an air nozzle positioned below the sensor window and aimed upward; and
a cap positioned above the sensor window and including a topside and an underside, the topside and the underside disposed radially outward from the sensor window, the underside including a groove having a cross-section elongated circumferentially around the axis, the cross-section of the groove curving from a lower end upwardly and outwardly to an upper end.
2. The sensor apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the groove is elongated circumferentially at least 270° around the axis.
3. The sensor apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the upper end of the cross-section of the groove has a tangent line forming an upward-facing angle with the axis that is less than 60°.
4. The sensor apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the topside of the cap includes a gutter elongated circumferentially around the axis.
5. The sensor apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the cap includes a channel extending radially outward relative to the axis from the gutter.
6. The sensor apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the groove is elongated circumferentially around the axis from the channel to the channel.
7. The sensor apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the gutter is elongated circumferentially around the axis from the channel to the channel.
8. The sensor apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the gutter includes a gutter wall at least partially constituting the gutter, and the gutter wall has a cross-section elongated circumferentially around the axis and extending diagonally outward and upward relative to the axis.
9. The sensor apparatus of claim 8 , wherein an upward-facing angle between the axis and the cross-section of the gutter wall is greater than 45°.
10. The sensor apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the groove is a first groove, the underside of the cap includes a second groove having a cross-section elongated circumferentially around the axis and extending upward from the first groove.
11. The sensor apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the cross-section of the second groove curves from a lower end upwardly and outwardly to an upper end.
12. The sensor apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the upper end of the cross-section of the second groove has a tangent line forming an upward-facing angle with the axis that is greater than 45°.
13. The sensor apparatus of claim 1 , wherein a diameter of the groove at the lower end of the cross-section of the groove is at least as great as a diameter of the sensor window.
14. The sensor apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a cylindrical sensor-housing top extending upward from the sensor window, wherein the cap is elongated circumferentially around the sensor-housing top.
15. The sensor apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the cap includes an inner surface contacting the sensor-housing top continuously along a circumference.
16. The sensor apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the sensor-housing top includes a side surface and a top surface, and the top surface includes a plurality of fins oriented parallel to each other.
17. The sensor apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the cap includes a brace elongated between two adjacent fins of the fins.
18. The sensor apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the cap is a thermally conductive polymer.