Robotic vehicle with multiple tracked mobility platforms
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A robotic vehicle comprising:
- at least first and second tracked mobility platforms, each of said at least first and second tracked mobility platforms having dual tracks, each track of said dual tracks having a drive motor coupled thereto;
a plurality of track-edge scallop cut-outs disposed on one or more of an inside edge and one or more of an outer edge of each track;
a two degrees of freedom (2DOF) coupling connecting the at least first and second tracked mobility platforms, the 2DOF coupling having an unlocked state wherein said unlocked state the 2DOF coupling is operatively arranged to allow out-of-plane motion relative to and between the at least first and second tracked mobility platforms and substantially prevent in-plane motion relative to and between the at least first and second tracked mobility platforms, the 2DOF coupling further having a locked state wherein said locked state said 2DOF coupling is operatively arranged to substantially prevent in-plane and out-of-plane motions relative to and between the at least first and second tracked mobility platforms;
a fiber optic tether connected to at least one of the at least first and second tracked mobility platforms, the fiber optic tether operatively arranged to provide a first communication link between a vehicle control module mounted on the robotic vehicle and a remotely located operator control unit; and
,a radio frequency communications module mounted on the robotic vehicle, the radio frequency communications module operatively arranged to provide a second communication link between the vehicle control module and the remotely located operator control unit.
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Abstract
A robotic vehicle having two or more tracked mobility platforms that are mechanically linked together with a two-dimensional coupling, thereby forming a composite vehicle of increased mobility. The robotic vehicle is operative in hazardous environments and can be capable of semi-submersible operation. The robotic vehicle is capable of remote controlled operation via radio frequency and/or fiber optic communication link to a remote operator control unit. The tracks have a plurality of track-edge scallop cut-outs that allow the tracks to easily grab onto and roll across railroad tracks, especially when crossing the railroad tracks at an oblique angle.
27 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A robotic vehicle comprising:
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at least first and second tracked mobility platforms, each of said at least first and second tracked mobility platforms having dual tracks, each track of said dual tracks having a drive motor coupled thereto; a plurality of track-edge scallop cut-outs disposed on one or more of an inside edge and one or more of an outer edge of each track; a two degrees of freedom (2DOF) coupling connecting the at least first and second tracked mobility platforms, the 2DOF coupling having an unlocked state wherein said unlocked state the 2DOF coupling is operatively arranged to allow out-of-plane motion relative to and between the at least first and second tracked mobility platforms and substantially prevent in-plane motion relative to and between the at least first and second tracked mobility platforms, the 2DOF coupling further having a locked state wherein said locked state said 2DOF coupling is operatively arranged to substantially prevent in-plane and out-of-plane motions relative to and between the at least first and second tracked mobility platforms; a fiber optic tether connected to at least one of the at least first and second tracked mobility platforms, the fiber optic tether operatively arranged to provide a first communication link between a vehicle control module mounted on the robotic vehicle and a remotely located operator control unit; and
,a radio frequency communications module mounted on the robotic vehicle, the radio frequency communications module operatively arranged to provide a second communication link between the vehicle control module and the remotely located operator control unit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A robotic vehicle comprising:
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a first and a second tracked mobility platform, each of said first and second tracked mobility platforms having dual tracks, each track of said dual tracks having a drive motor coupled thereto, each of said first and second tracked mobility platforms having a plurality of sealed explosion proof compartments for housing drive motors and electronic components therein; a plurality of track-edge scallop cut-outs disposed on one or more of an inside edge and one or more of an outer edge of each track; a two degrees of freedom (2DOF) coupling connecting the at least first and second tracked mobility platforms, the 2DOF coupling having an unlocked state wherein said unlocked state the 2DOF coupling is operatively arranged to allow out-of-plane motion relative to and between the at least first and second tracked mobility platforms and substantially prevent in-plane motion relative to and between the at least first and second tracked mobility platforms, the 2DOF coupling further having a locked state wherein said locked state said 2DOF coupling is operatively arranged to substantially prevent in-plane and out-of-plane motions relative to and between the at least first and second tracked mobility platforms; a support mast connected to at least one of the first and second mobility platforms, the support mast having a pan and tilt base; a forward looking infrared camera mounted on the pan and tilt base; a fiber optic tether connected to at least one of the first and second tracked mobility platforms, the fiber optic tether operatively arranged to provide a first communication link between a vehicle control module mounted on the robotic vehicle and a remotely located operator control unit; and
,a radio frequency communications module mounted on the robotic vehicle, the radio frequency communications module operatively arranged to provide a second communication link between the vehicle control module and the remotely located operator control unit. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A robotic vehicle comprising:
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a first and a second tracked mobility platform, each of said first and second tracked mobility platforms having dual tracks, each track of said dual tracks having a drive motor coupled thereto, each of said first and second tracked mobility platforms having a plurality of sealed explosion proof compartments for housing drive motors and electronic components therein; a plurality of track-edge scallop cut-outs disposed on one or more of an inside edge and one or more of an outer edge of each track; a two degrees of freedom (2DOF) coupling connecting the at least first and second tracked mobility platforms, the 2DOF coupling having an unlocked state wherein said unlocked state the 2DOF coupling is operatively arranged to allow out-of-plane motion relative to and between the at least first and second tracked mobility platforms and substantially prevent in-plane motion relative to and between the at least first and second tracked mobility platforms, the 2DOF coupling further having a locked state wherein said locked state said 2DOF coupling is operatively arranged to substantially prevent in-plane and out-of-plane motions relative to and between the at least first and second tracked mobility platforms; a support mast connected to at least one of the first and second mobility platforms, the support mast having a pan and tilt base; a forward looking infrared camera mounted on the pan and tilt base; a fiber optic tether connected to at least one of the first and second tracked mobility platforms, the fiber optic tether operatively arranged to provide a first communication link between a vehicle control module mounted on the robotic vehicle and a remotely located operator control unit; and
,a radio frequency communications module mounted on the robotic vehicle, the radio frequency communications module operatively arranged to provide a second communication link between the vehicle control module and the remotely located operator control unit; and wherein the one or more track-edge scallop cut-outs have a shape that is defined by an arc having a radius of curvature, Rcutout, that is greater than or equal to ½
of a distance, L, between a pair of adjacent horizontal blade type lugs; and
wherein said arc has an origin of its radius of curvature;
wherein said origin has a position that lies outside of the track.
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Specification