System for locally generating electricity on a robotic device
First Claim
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1. A robotic device, comprising:
- a robot arm;
a fluid-powered tool located on the robot arm;
a hose supplying a pressurized working fluid to the fluid-powered tool;
an electric generator;
a fluid motor coupled to the electric generator to drive the electric generator;
an actuator for selectively supplying the pressurized working fluid to the fluid motor;
a battery operatively connected to receive electrical energy from the electric generator; and
a controller powered by the battery and operatively connected to the actuator to control operation of the fluid motor and charging of the battery by the electric generator.
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Abstract
A robotic device includes a robot arm. A fluid-powered tool is located on the robot arm. A hose supplies a pressurized working fluid to the fluid-powered tool. A fluid motor is coupled to an electric generator to drive the electric generator. An actuator selectively supplies the pressurized working fluid to the fluid motor. A battery is operatively connected to receive electrical energy from the electric generator. A controller is powered by the battery and is operatively connected to the actuator to control operation of the fluid motor and charging of the battery by the electric generator.
24 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A robotic device, comprising:
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a robot arm; a fluid-powered tool located on the robot arm; a hose supplying a pressurized working fluid to the fluid-powered tool; an electric generator; a fluid motor coupled to the electric generator to drive the electric generator; an actuator for selectively supplying the pressurized working fluid to the fluid motor; a battery operatively connected to receive electrical energy from the electric generator; and a controller powered by the battery and operatively connected to the actuator to control operation of the fluid motor and charging of the battery by the electric generator. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A robotic device, comprising:
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a robot arm; a fluid-powered end of arm tool located on the robot arm; a hose supplying a pressurized working fluid to the fluid-powered end of arm tool; an electric generator; a fluid motor coupled to the electric generator to drive the electric generator; a battery operatively connected to receive electrical energy from the electric generator; a first solenoid valve for selectively supplying the pressurized working fluid to the fluid motor; a second solenoid valve for selectively supplying the pressurized working fluid to the fluid-powered end of arm tool; and a controller powered by the battery and operatively connected to the first solenoid valve to control operation of the fluid motor and charging of the battery by the electric generator, and operatively connected to the second solenoid valve to control operation of the fluid-powered end of arm tool. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A robot system, comprising:
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a robot; and a robot controller storing programmed instructions for controlling movements of the robot, wherein the robot includes; a fluid-powered tool located on the robot; a hose supplying a pressurized working fluid to the fluid-powered tool; an electric generator; a fluid motor coupled to the electric generator to drive the electric generator; a battery operatively connected to receive electrical energy from the electric generator; a first solenoid valve for selectively supplying the pressurized working fluid to the fluid motor; a second solenoid valve for selectively supplying the pressurized working fluid to the fluid-powered tool; a local controller powered by the battery and operatively connected to the first solenoid valve to control operation of the fluid motor and charging of the battery by the electric generator, and operatively connected to the second solenoid valve to control operation of the fluid-powered tool; a sensor located on the fluid-powered tool and operatively connected to the local controller; and a wireless transceiver operatively connected to the local controller, wherein the local controller is configured to communicate sensor information to the robot controller, and to receive control instructions for controlling the operation of the fluid-powered tool from the robot controller, through the wireless transceiver. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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21. A robotic device, comprising:
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a robot arm; an end of arm tool located on the robot arm; means for extracting energy from at least one of the robot arm and the end of arm tool; a rechargeable battery mounted on one of the robot arm and the end of arm tool and operatively connected to receive electrical energy from said means for extracting energy from at least one of the robot arm and the end of arm tool; and a controller mounted on one of the robot arm and the end of arm tool and powered by the battery, wherein the controller is configured to control recharging of the battery.
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Specification