MODULAR HYBRID SNAKE ARM

• US 20080302200A1
• Filed: 06/06/2008
• Published: 12/11/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/06/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Wayland E. Tobey
• Original Assignee: Wayland E. Tobey
• Inventors: Tobey, Wayland E.
• Granted Patent: US 8,414,246 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 74/490.02
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 13/084 Tactile sensors in general G01L5/16, G01L5/22
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 18/06 flexible
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 19/0029 arranged within the different robot elements
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 5/007 mounted on wheels
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20305 Robotic arm
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20311 including power cable or connector
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20323 including flaccid drive element

Abstract

An intelligent modular hybrid robot arm system is usable with mobile robots, and is applicable to stationary industrial arms. The intelligent modular hybrid robot arm system provides a large work envelope and a controlled and directed rotational movement for a flexible snake robot arm. The intelligent modular hybrid robot arm system has the ability to change end effector tools and sensors. The platform computers have the ability to interact with other subsystems for coordinated as well as independent tasks. The flexibly snake robot arm can be covered with a flexible sensor network, or “skin”. The intelligent modular hybrid robot arm system can manage its energy use, stores the arm in a compact shape and uses a central support tube offering unobstructed arm access to all sectors of its working envelope.

Claims

1. A robotic arm assembly, comprising:

an arm platform rotatably connectable to a robot chassis; and

at least one robotic arm attached to the arm platform.

2. The robotic arm assembly of claim 1, further comprising a slip ring electrical connection locatable between the arm platform and the robot chassis.

3. The robotic arm assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one robotic arm comprises at least one robotic snake arm.

4. The robotic arm assembly of claim 1, further comprising at least one sensor attached to the robotic arm assembly.

5. The robotic arm assembly of claim 1, wherein the robotic arm comprises at least one replaceable end effector.

10. The robot of claim 1, further comprising at least one replaceable end effector attachable to an effector end of the robotic arm assembly.

6. A robot, comprising:

a frame; and

a robotic aim assembly mounted on the frame, comprising;

an arm platform rotatably connected to the frame, and

at least one robotic arm attached to the arm platform.

7. The robot of claim 6, wherein the robotic arm further comprises a slip ring electrical connection between the arm platform and the frame.

8. The robot of claim 6, wherein the at least one robotic arm comprises at least one robotic snake arm.

9. The robot of claim 6, further comprising at least one sensor attached to the robotic arm assembly.