Spherical modular autonomous robotic traveler
First Claim
1. A spherical modular autonomous robotic traveler (SMART) for delivering a payload along a surface from a first position to a second position, said SMART comprising:
- an outer spherical shell for rolling along the surface;
an inner spherical chamber disposed within said outer shell to carry the payload, said chamber maintaining its orientation relative to the surface;
a plurality of weight-shifters arranged within said inner chamber, each weight-shifter including a mass disposed in a default position, and locatable to an active position in response to activation; and
a controller within said inner chamber for selectively activating a weight-shifter among said plurality to shift said mass from said default position to said active position, wherein said outer shell rolls in a direction that corresponds to said weight-shifter activated by said controller.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A spherical modular autonomous robotic traveler (SMART) is provided for delivering a payload along a surface from a first position to a second position. The SMART includes an outer spherical shell for rolling along the surface, an inner spherical chamber within the outer shell to carry the payload, a plurality of weight-shifters arranged in the inner chamber, and a controller to activate a select weight-shifter among the plurality. The weight-shifters can be arranged symmetrically or asymmetrically. The outer shell rolls in a direction that corresponds to the activated weight-shifter by torque induced thereby. The inner chamber maintains its orientation relative to the surface, even while the outer shell rolls along the surface. Each weight-shifter includes a channel containing an armature and an electromagnet activated by the controller. For the symmetrical arrangement, the channel is oriented from bottom periphery to lateral radial periphery of the inner chamber. The electromagnet is disposed proximal to the channel at the lateral radial periphery. The armature travels from the bottom periphery within the channel to the lateral radial periphery upon activation of the electromagnet.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A spherical modular autonomous robotic traveler (SMART) for delivering a payload along a surface from a first position to a second position, said SMART comprising:
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an outer spherical shell for rolling along the surface; an inner spherical chamber disposed within said outer shell to carry the payload, said chamber maintaining its orientation relative to the surface; a plurality of weight-shifters arranged within said inner chamber, each weight-shifter including a mass disposed in a default position, and locatable to an active position in response to activation; and a controller within said inner chamber for selectively activating a weight-shifter among said plurality to shift said mass from said default position to said active position, wherein said outer shell rolls in a direction that corresponds to said weight-shifter activated by said controller. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A spherical modular autonomous robotic traveler (SMART) for delivering a payload along a surface from a first position to a second position, said SMART comprising:
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an outer spherical shell for rolling along the surface; an inner spherical chamber disposed within said outer shell to carry the payload, said chamber maintaining its orientation relative to the surface; a plurality of weight-shifters arranged within said inner chamber; and a controller within said inner chamber for selectively activating a weight-shifter among said plurality, wherein said outer shell rolls in a direction that corresponds to said weight-shifter activated by said controller, wherein said plurality of weight-shifters is symmetrical about a vertical centerline being arranged in a cruciform pattern, and each said weight-shifter includes; a channel containing an armature, said channel being oriented from bottom periphery to lateral radial periphery of said inner chamber; and an electromagnet activated by said controller, said electromagnet being disposed proximal to said channel at said lateral radial periphery, wherein said armature travels from said bottom periphery within said channel to said lateral radial periphery upon activation of said electromagnet. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13)
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14. A spherical modular autonomous robotic traveler (SMART) for delivering a payload along a surface from a first position to a second position, said SMART comprising:
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an outer spherical shell for rolling along the surface; an inner spherical chamber disposed within said outer shell to carry the payload, said chamber maintaining its orientation relative to the surface; a plurality of weight-shifters arranged within said inner chamber; and a controller within said inner chamber for selectively activating a weight-shifter among said plurality, wherein said outer shell rolls in a direction that corresponds to said weight-shifter activated by said controller, and said lower and upper domes include honeycomb cells to structurally support said weight-shifters, controller and payload. - View Dependent Claims (15)
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16. A spherical modular autonomous robotic traveler (SMART) for delivering a payload along a surface from a first position to a second position, said SMART comprising:
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an outer spherical shell for rolling along the surface; an inner spherical chamber disposed within said outer shell to carry the payload, said chamber maintaining its orientation relative to the surface; a plurality of weight-shifters arranged within said inner chamber; and a controller within said inner chamber for selectively activating a weight-shifter among said plurality, wherein said outer shell rolls in a direction that corresponds to said weight-shifter activated by said controller, wherein said plurality of weight-shifters is asymmetrical about a vertical centerline and comprises; a peripheral weight-shifter including a peripheral channel containing a first armature, said peripheral channel being oriented from a forward periphery of said inner chamber toward a circumferential periphery of said inner chamber along a peripheral incline; a radial weight-shifter including a radial channel containing a second armature, said radial channel being oriented from said forward periphery toward an interior location of said inner chamber along a radial incline; and first and second electromagnets activated by said controller, said first electromagnet being disposed adjacent said circumferential periphery, and said second electromagnet being disposed adjacent said interior location, wherein said first armature travels from said forward periphery within said peripheral channel to said circumferential periphery upon activation of said first electromagnet and said second armature travels from said forward periphery within said radial channel to said interior location upon activation of said second electromagnet. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification