Inspection system for mechanical structures
First Claim
1. Apparatus for perusal and for rigorous inspection of architectural and of mechanical structures at a remote site and for examination of structures and architecture to determine state of repair, construction parameters, quality of restorative and corrective work required and in process, to establish building and repair specifications and standards, and to determine compliance therewith,said apparatus comprisingcontrollably movable carrier means for support of scanning, testing and sensor equipment thereon,selectively positionable, elongated guide means for supporting said carrier means and for delineating an inspection path to be traversed by said carrier means,drive means for controlling movement of said carrier means along a selectable predetermined inspection path correlated with a course of travel defined by said guide means,electrical means for transmitting intelligence received by scanning, testing and sensor equipment supported on said carrier means,receptor means remote from scanning, testing and sensor equipment on said carrier means for receiving intelligence transmitted by said electrical means,said receptor means including transducer means for converting the intelligence received from scanning, testing and sensor equipment on said carrier means into a form susceptible of perception and evaluation.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Remotely controllable and manipulable unmanned apparatus for safely inspecting, testing, viewing and for non-invasive examination and evaluation of the general condition, the state of repair, and of the quality of fabrication of mechanical structures such as large buildings, chimneys and bridges. The apparatus includes a movable carrier or platform for supporting selectable scanning, testing and sensor equipment. A drive mechanism controls the movement of the platform along a predetermined inspection path to be traversed. Auxiliary electrical components and transducers are provided for transmitting intelligence and data generated by the inspection apparatus to a remote station where the intelligence is received for review, evaluation and recordation.
68 Citations
40 Claims
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1. Apparatus for perusal and for rigorous inspection of architectural and of mechanical structures at a remote site and for examination of structures and architecture to determine state of repair, construction parameters, quality of restorative and corrective work required and in process, to establish building and repair specifications and standards, and to determine compliance therewith,
said apparatus comprising controllably movable carrier means for support of scanning, testing and sensor equipment thereon, selectively positionable, elongated guide means for supporting said carrier means and for delineating an inspection path to be traversed by said carrier means, drive means for controlling movement of said carrier means along a selectable predetermined inspection path correlated with a course of travel defined by said guide means, electrical means for transmitting intelligence received by scanning, testing and sensor equipment supported on said carrier means, receptor means remote from scanning, testing and sensor equipment on said carrier means for receiving intelligence transmitted by said electrical means, said receptor means including transducer means for converting the intelligence received from scanning, testing and sensor equipment on said carrier means into a form susceptible of perception and evaluation.
Specification