Robotic system and methods of use

• US 9,050,888 B2
• Filed: 01/14/2013
• Issued: 06/09/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 01/13/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Guoxinruibo Technology Company Limited
• Original Assignee: RoboteX, Inc.
• Inventors: Gettings, Nathan D., Gettings, Adam M., Penn, Taylor J., Siler, Edward John III, Stevens, Andrew G., Appleby, Jon, Gawlowski, Matthew, Schneider, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Boehler, Anne Marie
• Assistant Examiner(s): ARCE, MARLON ALEXANDER
• Application Number:
  US13/740,928
• Publication Number:
  US 20140076642A1
• Time in Patent Office: 876 Days
• Field of Search: 180/9.1, 180/9.32, 180/9.62, 180/9.3, 180/9.46, 180/9.28
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 19/0054 Cooling means
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 5/005 mounted on endless tracks or belts
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 11/06 with air cooling
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 55/06 with tracks without ground wheels
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 55/065 Multi-track vehicles, i.e. more than two tracks soil-shifting machines E02F; mining machines E21C
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 55/075 Tracked vehicles for ascending or descending stairs, steep slopes or vertical surfacesmagnetic or pneumatic ground-engaging parts B62D55/265; chairs or multi-track cycles specially adapted for invalids A61G5/00
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 65/02 Joining sub-units or components to, or positioning sub-units or components with respect to, body shell or other sub-units or components
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 901/01 Mobile robot
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

A robotic system that can have a body and four flippers is described. Any or all of the flippers can be rotated. The flippers can have self-cleaning tracks. The tracks can be driven or passive. The robotic system can be controlled by, and send audio and/or video to and/or from, a remote operator control module. The methods of using and making the robotic system are also described.

Claims

1. A robotic system comprising:

a chassis;

a first track drive system attached to the chassis, wherein the first track drive system comprises a track and a drive pulley;

a heat sink comprising a vane on the outside of the chassis, wherein the heat sink is attached to the outside of the chassis;

a motor located in the chassis, and wherein a first end of a heat pipe is attached to a motor and wherein a second end of the heat pipe is attached to the heat sink; and

a fluid circulation device;

wherein the chassis comprises a channel having an intake port and an exhaust port, and wherein the fluid circulation device is in the channel.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the circulation device is configured to blow an ambient fluid across the vane.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the fluid circulation device is outside of the chassis.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the fluid circulation device comprises a fan.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the heat sink is in the channel.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the chassis is sealed fluid-tight.

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising a first payload removably attached to the chassis, and wherein the first payload comprises a rotatable camera.

8. The system of claim 1, further comprising a battery located through an opening in a side panel of the chassis, and further comprising a closable door located on the opening.

9. The system of claim 1, further comprising, a remote control unit, wherein the remote control unit is waterproof.

10. The system of claim 1, further comprising an audio transducer and wherein the audio transducer is waterproof.

11. A robotic system comprising:

a chassis;

a first track drive system attached to the chassis, wherein the first track drive system comprises a track and a drive pulley;

a heat sink comprising a vane on the outside of the chassis; and

a heat pipe having a first end and a second end;

a motor located in the chassis, and wherein a first end of the heat pipe is attached to a motor and wherein a second end of the heat pipe is attached to the heat sink.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the heat pipe comprises a fluid.

13. The system of claim 11, further comprising a fluid circulation device.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein the chassis is sealed fluid-tight.

15. The system of claim 11, further comprising a circulation device configured to blow an ambient fluid across the vane.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the fluid circulation device is outside of the chassis.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the fluid circulation device comprises a fan.

18. The system of claim 11, further comprising, a battery located through an opening, in a side panel of the chassis, and further comprising a closable door located on the opening.

19. The system of claim 11, further comprising a remote control unit, wherein the remote control unit is waterproof.

20. The system of claim 11, further comprising an audio transducer and wherein the audio transducer is waterproof.