Remote controlled inspection vehicle utilizing magnetic adhesion to traverse nonhorizontal, nonflat, ferromagnetic surfaces
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A remote-controlled vehicle, comprising:
- at least one frame;
a pair of drive modules removably secured to said at least one frame, each of said drive modules having a continuous track, and a motor dimensioned and configured to transmit locomotive force from said motor to said continuous track, said drive module further defining a longitudinal axis, said continuous track being dimensioned and configured to pivot around an axis parallel to said longitudinal axis.
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Abstract
A remote controlled inspection vehicle provides interchangeable modules, permitting the vehicle to be easily configured to perform a wide variety of tasks. The vehicle includes at least one frame module having a pair of drive modules on either side. Each drive module includes a continuous track surrounding a permanent magnet, and is dimensioned and configured to pivot around its longitudinal axis. The frame modules are dimensioned and configured to be hingedly secured to other frame modules, end effectors including various sensors for performing inspections, and tail units to assist in placing the vehicle in the desired environment.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A remote-controlled vehicle, comprising:
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at least one frame;
a pair of drive modules removably secured to said at least one frame, each of said drive modules having a continuous track, and a motor dimensioned and configured to transmit locomotive force from said motor to said continuous track, said drive module further defining a longitudinal axis, said continuous track being dimensioned and configured to pivot around an axis parallel to said longitudinal axis. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A remote-controlled vehicle, comprising:
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at least one frame;
a pair of drive modules removably secured to said at least one frame, each of said drive modules having a continuous track, means for providing locomotive force to said continuous track, said drive module further defining a longitudinal axis and including means for permitting said continuous track to pivot around an axis parallel to said longitudinal axis. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
a front end and a rear end of said frame; and
means for hingedly and removably mounting a vehicle component selected from the group consisting of a second frame, a tail, and an effector to said front end and said rear end of said frame.
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15. The remote controlled vehicle according to claim 14, further comprising means for biasing said frame and said vehicle component towards a coplanar orientation.
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16. A remote-controlled vehicle, comprising:
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at least one frame having a longitudinal beam;
a pair of drive modules removably secured to said at least one frame, each of said drive modules having a continuous track, and a motor dimensioned and configured to transmit locomotive force from said motor to said continuous track, each of said drive modules further being selectively mountable on said frame in an orientation selected from the group consisting of said motor adjacent to said longitudinal beam and said track adjacent to said longitudinal beam;
wherein each of said drive modules includes a pair of end braces, and said frame includes a pair of ledges, each of said ledges being dimensioned and configured to removably secure one of said end braces. - View Dependent Claims (17)
said ledge includes a plurality of substantially uniformly-spaced holes;
said end brace includes at least one aperture dimensioned and configured to align with said holes of said ledge; and
said remote-controlled vehicle further including means for removably fastening said ledge and said end brace utilizing said holes in said ledge and said end brace.
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Specification