Sensor drainage system
A sensor assembly includes a cylindrical sensor housing extending vertically upward from a sensor-housing bottom, a gutter elongated circumferentially around the sensor-housing bottom, a drain channel extending radially outward from the gutter, at least one air nozzle positioned radially outside the gutter and directed radially inward, and a panel extending above and radially inward from the air nozzle.
1. A sensor assembly comprising:
a cylindrical sensor housing including a sensor-housing bottom and extending vertically upward from a sensor-housing bottom;
a gutter elongated circumferentially around the sensor-housing bottom;
a drain channel extending radially outward from the gutter;
at least one air nozzle positioned radially outside the gutter and directed radially inward; and
a panel extending above and radially inward from the air nozzle.
2. The sensor assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a gutter wall, wherein the gutter extends radially outward from the sensor housing to the gutter wall.
3. The sensor assembly of claim 2 , wherein the gutter wall is elongated circumferentially around the sensor housing from the drain channel to the drain channel.
4. The sensor assembly of claim 3 , wherein the panel is elongated circumferentially around the sensor housing from the drain channel to the drain channel, and the panel defines a gap between the panel and the gutter wall.
5. The sensor assembly of claim 2 , wherein the panel extends from radially outside the gutter wall to radially inside the gutter wall.
6. The sensor assembly of claim 2 , wherein the gutter wall and the panel form the air nozzle.
7. The sensor assembly of claim 2 , wherein the gutter and the gutter wall form a single piece.
8. The sensor assembly of claim 2 , further comprising a lip extending radially inward from the gutter wall and spaced from the gutter.
9. The sensor assembly of claim 1 , wherein the panel is elongated circumferentially around the sensor housing from the drain channel to the drain channel.
10. The sensor assembly of claim 1 , wherein the gutter has a nonhorizontal slope.
11. The sensor assembly of claim 10 , wherein the drain channel extends from a lowest point of the gutter.
12. The sensor assembly of claim 10 , wherein the gutter slopes downward in a rearward direction.
13. The sensor assembly of claim 1 , wherein the drain channel extends in a rearward direction from the gutter.
14. The sensor assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a bracket to which the sensor-housing bottom is mounted, wherein the bracket and the gutter form a single piece.
15. The sensor assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of liquid nozzles arranged circumferentially around and aimed at the sensor housing.
16. The sensor assembly of claim 15 , wherein the liquid nozzles are positioned to discharge liquid in a radially inward direction above the panel.
17. The sensor assembly of claim 1 , wherein the air nozzle is slot-shaped and elongated circumferentially around the gutter.
18. The sensor assembly of claim 1 , wherein the sensor housing includes a cylindrical sensor window positioned above the panel.