Robotic decontamination apparatus

• US 5,147,002 A
• Filed: 12/24/1990
• Issued: 09/15/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 12/24/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Container Products Corp.
• Original Assignee: Container Products Corp.
• Inventors: Hughes, Joel J.
• Primary Examiner(s): HILL, MITCHELL
• Application Number:
  US07/633,280
• Time in Patent Office: 631 Days
• Field of Search: 180/6.5, 180/9.22, 15/319, 15/339, 15/340.1, 15/359, 358/229, 358/210, 358/93, 358/99, 358/100
• US Class Current: 180/6.5
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4011 Regulation of the cleaning machine by electric means; Control systems and remote control systems therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4061 Steering means; Means for avoiding obstacles; Details related to the place where the driver is accommodated
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2201/00 Robotic cleaning machines, i.e. with automatic control of the travelling movement or the cleaning operation
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2201/04 Automatic control of the travelling movement; Automatic obstacle detection

Abstract

A remote controlled decontamination apparatus for removing, collecting and remotely disposing of contaminated material, including a complete system that provides a self-propelled vehicle having separate drives for left and right track assemblies as well as tool handling support arms, which are easily and quickly detachable from the vehicle thus permitting the association of a wide variety of tooling such as spray and vacuum nozzles and or mechanical brushes. A hose and cable umbilical for the apparatus is provided with universally movable carriage devices to reduce hose and cable drag, roll over and maneuverable resistance. A remote controlled camera and lighting system is mounted on the vehicle for visualization of operation.

Claims

1. A self-propelled robotic decontaminating apparatus adapted to be coupled to a source of pressurized heated cleaning fluids and a filtered vacuum recovery system comprising:

a) a self-propelled vehicle,

b) means for propelling and steering said vehicle over a surface to be treated,

c) a surface treating element carried by and movable with said vehicle,

d) a pair of removable arms mounted on said vehicle for attaching said element thereto,

e) a rotatable shaft mounted on said vehicle removably connected to each of said arms so as to mount said arms onto said vehicle,

f) a pair of pivot links fixedly mounted on said shaft,

g) means carried by said vehicle and connected to said links so as to pivot said links and rotate said shaft about a fixed horizontal axis so as to provide limited vertical movement of said arms relative to said surface to be cleaned,

h) means providing a limited floating connection between said arms and surface treating element,

i) means for removably connecting said surface treating element to said means providing a limited floating connection, and

j) a remote control for said means for propelling and steering said vehicle and said surface treating element over the surface to be treated.

2. A self-propelled robotic decontaminating apparatus as defined by claim 1 wherein said means for propelling and steering said vehicle over a surface to be treated comprises a pair of independently operated driving members including continuous vehicle moving tracks for each of said driving members for independently propelling and steering said vehicle.

3. A self-propelled robotic decontaminating apparatus as defined by claim 2 wherein said pair of independently operated driving members comprise low voltage electric motors.

4. A self-propelled robotic decontaminating apparatus as defined by claim 1 wherein said means for removably connecting said surface treating element to said means for providing a limited floating connection between said arms and said surface treating element comprising a removable pin adapted to be projected through said means providing a limited floating connection and into holding contact with said surface treating element.

5. A self-propelled robotic decontaminating apparatus as defined by claim 4 wherein said means for propelling and steering said vehicle over a surface to be treated comprises a pair of independently operated driving members including continuous vehicle moving tracks for each of said driving members for independently propelling and steering said vehicle.

6. A self-propelled robotic decontaminating apparatus as defined by claim 5 wherein said pair of independently operated driving members comprise low voltage electric motors.

7. A self-propelled robotic decontaminating apparatus as defined by claim 1 including a cable and hose umbilical between said vehicle and said remote control, and means for supporting said umbilical off the surface to be treated wile permitting free-movement in any direction.

8. A self-propelled robotic decontaminating apparatus as defined by claim 7 wherein said means for propelling and steering said vehicle over a surface to be treated comprises a pair of independently operated driving members including continuous vehicle moving tracks for each of said driving members for independently propelling and steering said vehicle.

9. A self-propelled robotic decontaminating apparatus as defined by claim 8 wherein said pair of independently operated driving members comprise low voltage electric motors.

10. A self-propelled robotic decontaminating apparatus as defined by claim 7 wherein said means for removably connecting said surface treating element to said means for providing a limited floating connection between said arms and said surface treating element comprising removable pin adapted to be projected through said means providing a limited floating connection and into holding contact with said surface treating element.

11. A self-propelled robotic decontaminating apparatus as defined by claim 1 including a remotely controlled camera mounted on said vehicle and having independent movement relative thereto.

12. A self-propelled robotic decontaminating apparatus as defined by claim 1 including illuminating means carried by said vehicle and having independent movement relative thereto.

13. A self-propelled robotic decontaminating apparatus as defined in claim 1 including a remotely controlled camera and illuminating means carried by said vehicle and having independent movement relative thereto.