Mobile Robot For A Harsh, Corrosive Outdoor Environment

• US 20130011234A1
• Filed: 08/30/2012
• Published: 01/10/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/01/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Abb As (ABB Limited)
• Original Assignee: Abb As (ABB Limited)
• Inventors: Pretlove, John, Skourup, Charlotte, Gunnar, Johan, Anisi, David
• Application Number:
  US13/599,924
• Publication Number:
  US 20130011234A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 414/749.1
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 19/0058 Means for cleaning manipulators, e.g. dust removing means
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 19/0075 Means for protecting the manipulator from its environment or vice versa
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 5/005 mounted on endless tracks or belts
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 5/02 travelling along a guideway
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 5/04 wherein the guideway is also moved, e.g. travelling crane bridge type
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 9/0018 Bases fixed on ceiling, i.e. upside down manipulators
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20317 including electric motor

Abstract

An industrial robot including a plurality of arms movable relative each other about a plurality of joints, and electrical motors moving the arms. The robot is also arranged and designed to resist corrosion in a harsh environment. The robot is also mobile and arranged for movement or travel and suitable for maintenance and inspection tasks in an installation for oil and gas.

Claims

1. An installation adapted for extraction or production of petroleum products in a harsh outdoors environment comprising at least one industrial robot arranged for carrying out monitoring and maintenance operations wherein said at least one industrial robot comprise a robot arm with a plurality of arm parts movable relative each other about a plurality of joints and with electric motors for moving the arm parts, wherein the at least one robot is arranged with a transport apparatus such that said at least one robot is moveable between two or more locations of said installation, wherein said locations comprise at least one work location and a storage location, and wherein the storage location is arranged such that the at least one industrial robot is not exposed to the harsh outdoor environment when it is in the storage location.

2. The installation according to claim 1, wherein the storage location is arranged with sealing devices to resist the ingress of gas from outside the storage location.

3. The installation according to claim 1, wherein the at least one industrial robot is arranged moveable to a washing booth, arranged such that said at least one industrial robot is washed with one or more solutions and/or blown down with air.

4. The installation according to claim 1, wherein the work location or the storage location comprises a washing booth arranged such that said at least one industrial robot is washed and/or coated with a passive solvent or an active solvent such as a corrosion inhibiting fluid.

5. The installation according to claim 6, wherein the atmospheric conditions of the storage location are controlled.

6. The installation according to claim 1, wherein at least some of the exterior surface of a robot arm is provided with a corrosion resistant coating.

7. The installation according to claim 1, wherein the at least one industrial robot is mounted on a transport apparatus for movement or travel on one or more a rails or gantry cranes between the two or more locations.

8. The installation according to claim 1, wherein the at least one industrial robot is mounted on a transport apparatus, comprising a vehicle, arranged for movement or travel between the two or more locations.

9. The installation according to claim 1, wherein the at least one industrial robot is mounted on a vehicle for travel in any direction.

10. The installation according to claim 8, wherein said vehicle is arranged with a control unit and communication unit and to be remotely operated.

11. The installation according to claim 8, wherein one or more electrical power connections are arranged such that the vehicle can be connected and receive electrical power for charging a battery for powering the at least one industrial robot.

12. The installation according to claim 8, wherein one or more flexible or extendable electrical power connections are arranged such that said vehicle can receive electrical power for powering the at least one industrial robot.

13. The installation according to claim 8, wherein one or more compressed air connections are arranged such that the vehicle can be connected and receive compressed air for storage on the vehicle.

14. The installation according to claim 1, wherein one or more cameras are mounted on an arm of the robot.

15. A method for operating an industrial robot in an installation for extraction or production of petroleum products in a harsh outdoors environment comprising at least one industrial robot arranged for carrying out monitoring and maintenance operations, said industrial robot comprising a robot arm with a plurality of arm parts movable relative each other about a plurality of joints and electrical motors for moving the arm parts, wherein said operations include protecting said industrial robot from chemical corrosion, wherein the method comprises moving said industrial robot with a transport apparatus such that said industrial robot travels between two or more locations of said installation, comprising at least one work location and a storage location, whereby the industrial robot is not exposed to the harsh outdoor environment when it is in the storage location.

16. The method according to claim 15, comprising moving the industrial robot to a washing booth at the storage location.

17. The method according to claim 15, wherein at least some of the exterior surface of the robot arm is provided with a corrosion resistant coating.

18. The method according to claim 15, comprising removing one or more chemical substances from the industrial robot by washing said industrial robot down with a liquid and/or blowing said industrial robot down with air.

19. The method according to claim 15, comprising removing one or more chemical substances from the industrial robot by washing said industrial robot down with a liquid and/or blowing said industrial robot down with air in an enclosed area or booth.

20. The method according to claim 15, wherein the method further comprises blowing off dirt including corrosive compounds or salt crystals from the industrial robot by means of air jets.

21. The method according to claim 15, wherein the method comprises regularly washing down the industrial robot with a passive solvent or an active solvent.

22. The method according to claim 15, wherein the method further comprises:

applying after the washing a salt water proof coating to the industrial robot.