Robotic Mobile Low-Profile Transport Vehicle

• US 20140246257A1
• Filed: 02/24/2014
• Published: 09/04/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/17/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SARCOS LC (Sarcos Technology & Robotics Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Raytheon Company (Rtx Corporation)
• Inventors: Jacobsen, Stephen C., Smith, Fraser M., Olivier, Marc X., McCullough, John
• Granted Patent: US 9,403,566 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 180/14.2
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 37/04 by means of movable masses
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 55/0655 Articulated endless track vehicles steering specially adapted for trailers B62D13/00; articulated buses B62D47/025; tractor-trailer combinations or road trains comprising a uni-axle unit and a uni-axle trailer B62D53/02
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 59/04 driven from propulsion unit on trailer
• CPC Class Codes: F41H 7/005 Unmanned ground vehicles, i.e. robotic, remote controlled or autonomous, mobile platforms carrying equipment for performing a military or police role, e.g. weapon systems or reconnaissance sensors F41H11/16 takes precedence

Abstract

A robotic mobile low-profile transport vehicle is disclosed. The vehicle can comprise a first transport module having a frame assembly, a mobility system, and a propulsion system and a second transport module having a frame assembly and a mobility system. A multi-degree of freedom coupling assemblage can join the first and second transport modules together. The vehicle can include a first platform supported about the frame assembly of the first transport module, and a second platform supported about the frame assembly of the second transport module. Each of the platforms can be configured to receive a load for transport. Additionally, the vehicle can include a control system that can operate to facilitate intra-module communication and coordination to provide a coordinated operating mode of the first and second transport modules and the coupling assemblage about a given terrain.

Claims

1-25. -25. (canceled)

26. A robotic transport module operable within a mobile low-profile transport vehicle, said transport module comprising:

a frame assembly;

a mobility system supported about said frame assembly, and configured to provide movement to said transport module; and

an interchangeable payload system, comprising;

a payload module; and

an interchange interface that operates to facilitate removable coupling of the payload module with the transport module.

27. The robotic low-profile mobile transport vehicle of claim 26, wherein the payload module operates to removably couple to the frame assembly.

28. The robotic low-profile mobile transport vehicle of claim 26, wherein the payload module operates to removably couple via the interchange interface to a platform supported about the frame assembly, wherein the platform comprises one of a moveable platform and a stationary platform.

29. The robotic low-profile mobile transport vehicle of claim 26, wherein the payload module operates to removably couple via the interchange interface to the frame assembly, and wherein the payload module further comprises a built-in translating system to facilitate movement of the payload module relative to the frame assembly.

30. The robotic low-profile mobile transport vehicle of claim 26, wherein the payload module comprises a lift payload module, an armored payload module, a platform payload module, a missile launch payload module, a missile launch support module, a medical evacuation payload module, a medical support payload module, a robotic arm payload module, a power payload module, a battery recharge payload module, a stabilizing payload module, an operator payload module, a communications payload module, a firearm support payload module, a camera payload module, a sensor payload module, a storage payload module, or combinations thereof.

31-34. -34. (canceled)