Tesla “may be keen on replacing the humble windshield wiper with lasers,” reports CNET.
In a patent application filed this past May and published with the United States Patent and Trademark Office on Nov. 21, Tesla describes a “pulsed laser cleaning” for “debris accumulated” on glass, specifically for automotive application.
It also mentions this could be used for “photo-voltaic” applications. That’s fancy-speak for solar panels…
According to the patent, Tesla imagines the system would work with a beam optics assembly to produce a laser that hunts down debris. A detection circuitry would be responsible for telling the system where to fire and remove dirt, grime and droppings. This same system would also take into account the laser’s exposure level with pulses to ensure it didn’t cut through the glass or harm occupants inside. Specifically, a calibration would “limit penetration of the laser beam to a depth that is less than a thickness of the glass article.”
Such a system could do without chemicals and sprayers to take care of cleaning the windshield. Ditto for camera lenses and solar panels installed on a vehicle or structure.
of this story at Slashdot.
Source:: Slashdot