Guidance system for a robot

• US 20060009876A1
• Filed: 06/08/2005
• Published: 01/12/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/09/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Dean Mcneil
• Original Assignee: Dean Mcneil
• Inventors: McNeil, Dean
• Application Number:
  US11/148,750
• Publication Number:
  US 20060009876A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/245
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0242 using non-visible light signals, e.g. IR or UV signals
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0255 using acoustic signals, e.g. ultra-sonic singals sonar systems designed for anti-collision purposes G01S15/93
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0272 comprising means for registering the travel distance, e.g. revolutions of wheels measuring distance traversed on the ground by vehicles, e.g. using odometers G01C22/00
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0274 using mapping information stored in a memory device navigation using map-matching G01C21/30
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0297 by controlling means in a control room

Abstract

A guidance system for a robot includes a main monitoring station and an unmanned movable base station, which is in communication with the main monitoring station. A robot is provided which is adapted to operate within a predetermined radius of the base station. Either an umbilical cord connection or a wireless communication link can be provided for dynamically determining the distance and orbital positioning of the robot relative to the base station.

Claims

1. A guidance system for a robot, comprising:

a main monitoring station;

an unmanned movable base station which is in communication with the main monitoring station;

a robot adapted to operate within a predetermined radius of the base station; and

means for dynamically determining the distance and orbital positioning of the robot relative to the base station.

2. The guidance system for a robot as defined in claim 1, wherein the means for dynamically determining the distance and orbital positioning of the robot relative to the base station includes an extendible and retractable umbilical cord which extends between the robot and the base station, a first sensing assembly to determine a length of umbilical cord which has been extended from the base station and a second sensing assembly being provided to determine an orbital position of the robot relative to the base station.

3. The guidance system for a robot as defined in claim 1, wherein the means for dynamically determining the distance and orbital positioning of the robot relative to the base station includes a wireless communication link between the robot and the base station, with a first sensing assembly to determine a distance the wireless signal from the robot is from the base station and a second sensing assembly being provided to determine an orbital position the wireless signal from the robot is relative to the base station.

4. The guidance system for a robot as defined in claim 1, wherein the means for dynamically determining the orbital positioning of the robot relative to the base station includes a swivel coupling with an orbital encoder and software in communication with the orbital encoder which is adapted to perform relative orbital displacement encoding.

5. The guidance system for a robot as defined in claim 2, wherein the first sensing assembly includes a plurality of interval activation devices positioned at spaced intervals along the umbilical cord.

6. The guidance system for a robot as defined in claim 3, wherein the first sensing assembly includes distance measuring electronics adapted to perform distance measurement surveys.

7. The guidance system for a robot as defined in claim 1, wherein the robot is programmed to navigate between waypoints and waypoint activation electronics are provided that initiate macroinstructions upon the robot reaching the waypoints.

8. The guidance system for a robot as defined in claim 2, wherein the robot is equipped with an extension ram, which is adapted for lifting the umbilical over obstacles.

9. The guidance system for a robot as defined in claim 2, wherein a tension sensor is provided which is adapted to sense the tension in the umbilical cord, the tension sensor being connected to a reel which feeds the umbilical cord out when tension in the umbilical cord is sensed and reels the umbilical cord in when slack in the umbilical cord is sensed.

10. The guidance system for a robot as defined in claim 9, wherein the tension sensor has an upper contact switch which is contacted by the umbilical cord when the umbilical cord is in tension and a lower contact switch which is contacted by slack in the umbilical cord.

11. A guidance system for a robot, comprising:

a main monitoring station;

an unmanned movable base station which is in communication with the main monitoring station;

a robot adapted to operate within a predetermined radius of the base station;

a reel mounted extendible and retractable umbilical cord which extends between the robot and the base station, the reel having a drive motor;

a tension sensor adapted to sense the tension in the umbilical cord, the tension sensor being connected to the drive motor for the reel, the drive motor feeding the umbilical cord out when tension in the umbilical cord is sensed and reeling the umbilical cord in when slack in the umbilical cord is sensed;

a first sensing assembly to determine a length of the umbilical cord which has been extended from the base station including a plurality of interval activation devices and waypoints activation electronics being positioned at spaced intervals along the umbilical cord, the robot being programmed to navigate between waypoints, the waypoint activation electronics initiating macroinstructions upon the robot reaching the waypoints; and

a second sensing assembly being provided to determine an orbital position of the robot relative to the base station, including a swivel coupling on the base station with an orbital encoder and software in communication with the orbital encoder which is adapted to perform relative orbital displacement encoding.

12. The guidance system for a robot as defined in claim 11, wherein the robot is equipped with an extension ram, which is adapted for lifting the umbilical over obstacles.

13. The guidance system for a robot as defined in claim 11, wherein the tension sensor has an upper contact switch which is contacted by the umbilical cord when the umbilical cord is in tension and a lower contact switch which is contacted by slack in the umbilical cord.