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Submersible robotically operable vehicle system for infrastructure maintenance and inspection

  • US 8,805,579 B2
  • Filed: 02/19/2011
  • Issued: 08/12/2014
  • Est. Priority Date: 02/19/2011
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A system, comprising:

  • a first apparatus for inspecting, cleaning, and maintaining a work surface, including;

    a set of interchangeable modules including a frame module and at least one of a first shoulder module, a first articulation module, and a first hand module;

    a respective module control unit for embedding intelligence being disposed in each of said interchangeable modules;

    each of said interchangeable modules having a proximal end, a center, and a distal end;

    each of said module control units being configured to send and receive signals from each of said interchangeable modules;

    each of said module control units creating a respective signal identifying at least one of an identity of said interchangeable module, a configuration of said interchangeable module, a status of said interchangeable module, a functional capability of said interchangeable module, a module connection of said interchangeable module, and a module resource requirement of said interchangeable module;

    said frame module being terminated at said proximal end by a first universal connector, and terminated at said distal end by a second universal connector;

    said frame module having a master module control unit for aggregating and distributing signals among said set of interchangeable modules, said master module control unit being configured to detect and monitor the identity of each of said interchangeable modules, the configuration of each of said interchangeable modules, the status of each of said interchangeable module, the functional capability of each of said interchangeable modules, the module connection of each of said interchangeable modules, and the module resource requirement of each of said interchangeable modules;

    said master module control unit being configured to transmit and receive motion and function coordination signals to each of said interchangeable modules;

    said master module control unit being connected to a bus for conveyance of signals;

    said frame module further having a power distribution unit and power conduit connected to said power distribution unit for distributing power among said interchangeable modules;

    said shoulder module having a first universal connector at said proximal end and a second universal connector at said distal end;

    said articulation module having a first universal connector at said proximal end and further having a second universal connector at said distal end, said articulation module being configured to be at least one of extendable, rotatable, articulateable about multiple axes, and to brace another of said plurality of interchangeable modules; and

    said hand module having a first universal connector at said proximal end and further having a second universal connector at said distal end;

    a second apparatus for inspecting, cleaning, and maintaining a work surface, including;

    a set of interchangeable modules including a frame module and at least one of a first shoulder module, a first articulation module, and a first hand module;

    a respective module control unit for embedding intelligence being disposed in each of said interchangeable modules;

    each of said interchangeable modules having a proximal end, a center, and a distal end;

    each of said module control units being configured to send and receive signals from each of said interchangeable modules;

    each of said module control units creating a respective signal identifying at least one of an identity of said interchangeable module, a configuration of said interchangeable module, a status of said interchangeable module, a functional capability of said interchangeable module, a module connection of said interchangeable module, and a module resource requirement of said interchangeable module;

    said frame module being terminated at said proximal end by a first universal connector, and terminated at said distal end by a second universal connector;

    said frame module having a master module control unit for aggregating and distributing signals among said set of interchangeable modules, said master module control unit being configured to detect and monitor the identity of each of said interchangeable modules, the configuration of each of said interchangeable modules, the status of each of said interchangeable module, the functional capability of each of said interchangeable modules, the module connection of each of said interchangeable modules, and the module resource requirement of each of said interchangeable modules;

    said master module control unit being configured to transmit and receive motion and function coordination signals to each of said interchangeable modules;

    said master module control unit being connected to a bus for conveyance of signals;

    said frame module further having a power distribution unit and power conduit connected to said power distribution unit for distributing power among said interchangeable modules;

    said shoulder module having a first universal connector at said proximal end and a second universal connector at said distal end;

    said articulation module having a first universal connector at said proximal end and further having a second universal connector at said distal end, said articulation module being configured to be at least one of extendable, rotatable, articulateable about multiple axes, and to brace another of said plurality of interchangeable modules; and

    said hand module having a first universal connector at said proximal end and further having a second universal connector at said distal end; and

    a remote control connected to a master module control unit of said first apparatus and a master module control unit of said second apparatus and including a computer for controlling, monitoring, and coordinating said first apparatus and said second apparatus simultaneously.

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