×

System and method for accessing ferrous surfaces normally accessible only with special effort

  • US 20050252296A1
  • Filed: 04/05/2005
  • Published: 11/17/2005
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/20/2000
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
Patent Images

1. A system facilitating access to ferrous surfaces of a structure for purposes such as inspection thereof, said system comprising:

  • at least one conveyance having a long axis about which sections of said conveyance articulates, said conveyance having at least three said sections operably connected as at least a front section to a middle section and as said middle section to a rear section in line along the long axis of said conveyance, wherein said conveyance is of a size suitable for deployment upon said ferrous surfaces without either modifying said structure or expanding access to said structure, and wherein said front section turns in only a first plane with respect to said middle section and said rear section turns in only a second plane with respect to said middle section, and wherein said front section incorporates a first part of a first connection assembly for connection to said middle section, at least one first magnetic wheeled axle assembly comprising polar member wheels and annular permanent magnets and at least one first pivotable lever arm, and wherein said front section steers said conveyance and transfers to the surface of operation at least part of the power to propel said conveyance, and wherein said middle section incorporates at least one second magnetic wheeled axle assembly comprising polar member wheels and annular permanent magnets, a second part of said first connection assembly for connection to said front section, a first part of a second connection assembly for connection to said rear section, at least one motor incorporating interoperable connections to at least one device in each of said front, middle and rear sections and at least one first push rod, and wherein said rear section incorporates a second part of said second connection assembly for connection to said middle section, and at least one abrading device, and wherein said rear section turns to permit changing the plane of operation of said conveyance only if each of said front, middle and rear sections are at least approximately aligned along the centerline of said long axis of said conveyance, and wherein said conveyance may move to a surface of operation in a plane different from the plane of the surface of current operation only in a forward direction such that said front section is moved to a new surface of operation prior to said middle and rear sections;

    at least one tether in operable communication with said conveyance, wherein said tether incorporates at least means for distributing power, means for distributing control signals and means for distributing fluids to said conveyance;

    at least one control system in operable communication with at least said means for distributing control signals, at least part of which said control system is remote from said conveyance and in operable communication with said conveyance via said means for distributing control signals, wherein said control system is in operable communication with at least one power source external to said conveyance, and wherein said power source energizes said motors; and

    at least one sensor, wherein said sensors are incorporated in said conveyance and facilitate at least navigation and inspection functions.

View all claims
  • 0 Assignments
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×