STRUCTURAL ASSESSMENT, MAINTENANCE, AND REPAIR APPARATUSES AND METHODS
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods for cleaning a structure via a robot are described. The system includes a first robot and a second robot. The first robot includes a body, a tool arm, a sensor coupled, a drive system configured to allow vertical and inverted positioning of the first robot, a transceiver, and a controller. The second robot similarly includes a body, a drive system configured to allow positioning of the second robot, a transceiver, and a controller. The system includes a base station in communication with the first robot via the first robot transceiver and/or in communication with the second robot via the second robot transceiver. The first robot is configured to autonomously perform a maintenance task on the structure. The second robot is configured to autonomously provide a support service to the first robot during the maintenance task. The first robot is configured to communicate with the second robot.
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Citations
69 Claims
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1-14. -14. (canceled)
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15. A method of performing a maintenance task on a structure via a robot, the method comprising:
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moving to an area of the structure through a drive system of the robot; detecting a characteristic of a portion of the structure through a sensor of the robot; in response to detecting the characteristic, identifying a maintenance task; performing the maintenance task through a tool mounted to a tool arm of the robot; and documenting the performance of the maintenance task. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 23, 27, 28, 29, 30, 34, 35, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45)
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18. (canceled)
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22. (canceled)
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24-26. -26. (canceled)
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31-33. -33. (canceled)
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36-38. -38. (canceled)
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46. A method of painting a structure with a robot, the method comprising:
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receiving a command to paint at least a portion of the structure via a transceiver of the robot; analyzing the command via a controller of the robot, wherein the analyzing includes identifying the portion of the structure where painting is to be performed; moving to the portion of the structure through a drive system of the robot; identifying a first area of the portion of the structure as a target for painting; determining that a second area proximate the structure is not occupied by an object through a sensor of the robot, wherein the second area of the structure is at risk of being hit by an overspray of paint; after determining that the second area proximate the structure is not occupied by the object, painting the first area of the structure through a tool of the robot. - View Dependent Claims (47, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 58, 59, 60)
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48-50. -50. (canceled)
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56. (canceled)
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57. (canceled)
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61. A method of detecting and repairing corrosion on a structure with a robot, the method comprising:
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receiving a command to locate and repair corrosion on the structure through a transceiver of the robot; analyzing the command through a controller of the robot; roving to an area of the structure; identifying, via a first sensor of the robot, an area of corrosion on the structure; cleaning the area of corrosion with an abrasive tool mounted to the robot; and after cleaning the area of corrosion, painting the area of corrosion with a painting tool of the robot. - View Dependent Claims (63, 65, 66, 68)
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62. (canceled)
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64. (canceled)
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67. (canceled)
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69-72. -72. (canceled)
Specification