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Reconfigurable mobile vehicle with magnetic tracks

  • US 5,435,405 A
  • Filed: 04/21/1994
  • Issued: 07/25/1995
  • Est. Priority Date: 05/14/1993
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A vehicle for use in a vessel having walls with interior surfaces capable of supporting a magnetic circuit, comprising:

  • a vehicle frame member;

    a first endless driven member received on said vehicle frame member and adapted for travel on the interior surfaces of the vessel walls;

    means for driving said first endless driven member;

    a magnetic system attached to said vehicle frame member and comprising a magnet, fixed magnetic circuit means, and movable magnetic circuit means for establishing first and second magnetic circuits;

    means for selectively connecting said movable magnetic circuit means to said means for driving to move said movable magnetic circuit means between a first position wherein said first magnetic circuit is established between said endless driven member, said magnet, said fixed magnetic circuit means and said movable magnetic circuit means such that said endless driven member is caused to magnetically engage one of the interior surfaces of the vessel, and a second position wherein said second magnetic circuit is established between said magnet, said fixed magnetic circuit means, and said movable magnetic circuit means such that said endless driven member does not magnetically engage one of the interior surfaces of the vessel; and

    permanent magnet means pivotally attached to said vehicle frame member adapted to selectively pivotally engage the interior surfaces of the walls of the vessel to enable the vehicle to move from a first vessel surface to a second vessel surface that intersects the first vessel surface as said first endless driven member is driven.

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