Automotive inspection device

• US 20080308326A1
• Filed: 06/09/2008
• Published: 12/18/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/14/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: General Electric Technology GmbH (GE Aerospace)
• Original Assignee: Alstom Technology Ltd. (Alstom SA)
• Inventors: Siegwart, Roland Yves, Moser, Roland, Mondada, Francesco, Fischer, Wolfgang, Tache, Fabien
• Granted Patent: US 7,958,955 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 180/21
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 55/265 having magnetic or pneumatic adhesion
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 57/024 specially adapted for moving on inclined or vertical surfaces endless-track vehicles for ascending or descending stairs B62D55/075; hand-carts with provision for travelling up or down stairs B62B5/02
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 57/028 having wheels and mechanical legs B62D57/024 takes precedence; ground-engaging vehicle fittings for supporting, lifting or manoeuvring the vehicle, wholly or in part B60S9/00

Abstract

An automotive device for the inspection of internal spaces having ferromagnetic surfaces includes at least two magnetic wheels (3) or caterpillars, or at least two magnetic legs for the advancement of the device along the surfaces to be inspected. According to the invention, the device includes actively powered rotating arms (1) attached to a wheel (3), caterpillar, or leg of the device. Each rotating arm (1) has a length longer than the shortest distance between the point of attachment of the rotating arm to the device and the surface. When the device is in a position, where there is magnetic contact to the surface in two or more points and the device is no longer able to advance due to the strength of the magnetic forces, the rotating arms are brought into non-magnetic contact with the surface in order to create an air gap between the surface and the magnetic wheel and thus reduce the magnetic forces. The device is thereby enabled to overcome the magnetic forces and advance the device along the surface.

Claims

1. An automotive device for the inspection of internal spaces having ferromagnetic surfaces includes at least two magnetic wheels or caterpillars, or at least two magnetic legs

wherein

the device includes actively powered rotating arms attached to at least one of the magnetic wheels, caterpillars or legs of the device, where each rotating arm has a length from its rotation axis to its end that is longer than the shortest distance between the rotation axis of the rotating arm at the device and the ferromagnetic surface, and the rotating arm when directed toward the surface is in non-magnetic contact with the surface and there is an air gap between the surface and the at least one magnetic wheel.

2. An automotive device according to claim 1

wherein

the rotation axis of the actively powered rotating arms is coaxial with the axis of the device'"'"'s wheels, caterpillars, or leg.

3. An automotive device according to claim 1

wherein

the rotating arms each include a non-magnetic contact wheel (2) or non-magnetic contact ball arranged at the end of the rotating arms.

4. An automotive device according to claim 1

wherein

an actuator for the actively powered rotating arms and an actuator for the turning of the magnetic wheels are arranged parallel to and above the rotation axis of the magnetic wheels.

5. An automotive device according to claim 3

wherein

one of the magnetic wheels for advancing the device includes a steering mechanism.

6. An automotive device according to claim 5

wherein

one of the magnetic wheels for advancing the device includes a passive suspension system.

7. An automotive device according to claim 2

wherein

the rotating arms each include a non-magnetic contact wheel or non-magnetic contact ball arranged at the end of the rotating arms.

8. An automotive device according to claim 2

wherein

an actuator for the actively powered rotating arms and an actuator for the turning of the magnetic wheels are arranged parallel to and above the rotation axis of the magnetic wheels.

9. An automotive device according to claim 3

wherein

an actuator for the actively powered rotating arms and an actuator for the turning of the magnetic wheels are arranged parallel to and above the rotation axis of the magnetic wheels.

10. An automotive device according to claim 4

wherein

one of the magnetic wheels for advancing the device includes a steering mechanism.