241 |
TRAVELLING DEVICE EQUIPPED WITH DUAL, ROTATING, NEGATIVE-PRESSURE SUCTION SEALS |
PCT/JP2012050643 |
2012-01-14 |
WO2012099028A3 |
2012-09-13 |
URAKAMI FUKASHI |
[Problem] To improve the travelling functionality of a travelling device equipped with dual, rotating, negative-pressure suction seals. [Solution] Provided is a travelling device equipped with dual, rotating, negative-pressure suction seals, which is characterised in that: a single, rotating, negative-pressure suction seal is respectively provided to the left and the right of the axis of travel of the travelling device; the distance between the rotational axis of one of the negative-pressure suction seals and the axis of travel is substantially equal to the distance between the rotational axis of the other negative-pressure suction seal and the axis of travel; the outer peripheral shape of each negative-pressure suction seal forms a shape comprising a farthest outer peripheral end portion, which is the outer peripheral end portion farthest from the rotational axis, and a nearest outer peripheral end portion, which is the outer peripheral end portion nearest to the rotational axis; and a driven wheel is provided inside each negative-pressure suction seal. |
242 |
MODULAR ROBOTIC CRAWLER |
PCT/US2008069668 |
2008-07-10 |
WO2009009673A3 |
2009-05-14 |
JACOBSEN STEPHEN C; OLIVIER MARC |
A modular robotic crawler (10) can be formed by intercoupling a selected plurality of segment modules (12) from a preexisting collection of differing compatible segment modules (12). The segment modules (12) can have at least one intercoupleable interface. The selection can be based on a planned operational scenario of functions to be performed. |
243 |
OMNIDIRECTIONAL WHEEL MODULES AND VEHICLES AND METHODS EMPLOYING SAME |
PCT/US2005043949 |
2005-12-06 |
WO2006062905A3 |
2007-04-19 |
FENELLI NICHOLAS E; MULLOWNEY ROBERT A |
Omni-directional wheel modules and methods for converting objects and non-omni-directional vehicles into omni-directional vehicles. In some embodiments, the modules are independently functional having an omni-directional wheel, an axle, a motor, a motor controller, transmission, and a brake assembled together. In other alternative embodiments, hybrid vehicles having a combination of omni-directional and non-omni-directional wheels. |
244 |
ROBOTIC ALL TERRAIN SURVEYOR |
PCT/US2005039861 |
2005-11-02 |
WO2006073548A3 |
2006-09-08 |
TANIELIAN MINAS H |
A vehicle (10) including a body (18) and three legs (20a, 20b, 20c). Each leg includes a proximal end (24) coupled to the body, a distal end (26) opposite the proximal end, and an actuator. Each actuator imparts enough acceleration to the vehicle along an axis of the leg to cause the distal end of the leg to leave a surface upon which it rests. Thus, the robot can pivot around one leg when the actuator of another leg imparts an acceleration. One actuator may also cause two legs to leave the surface. Moreover, the actuators may be spring biased into a retracted position. Further, the body may be a Platonic solid and the axes of the lags may pass through the vehicle's center of gravity. Of course, the body could be a sphere while the vehicle could be a planetary robot or a toy. Methods of traversing a surface are also provided. |
245 |
FAULT TOLERANT ARCHITECTURE FOR A PERSONAL VEHICLE |
PCT/US9922319 |
1999-09-27 |
WO0023315A3 |
2000-09-08 |
KAMEN DEAN L; DASTOUS SUSAN D; DUGGAN ROBERT; GUAY G MICHAEL |
A motorized vehicle capable of fault detection and of operation after a fault has been detected. The vehicle has a plurality of control components coupled to a motorized drive and a comparator for comparing the output of each of the control components with outputs of other control components so that failures may be identified. The vehicle may have multiple processors coupled to a plurality of control channels by means of a bus and a decision arrangement that suppresses the output of any processor for which a failure has been identified. |
246 |
HINGED VEHICLE CHASSIS |
PCT/US2014067494 |
2014-11-25 |
WO2015081137A9 |
2015-07-09 |
PARROTT BRIAN; OUTA ALI; GONZALEZ PABLO EDUARDO CARRASCO ZANINI; LATIF FADL ABDEL |
A robotic vehicle chassis is provided. The robotic vehicle chassis includes a first chassis section, a second chassis section, and a hinge joint connecting the first and second chassis sections such that the first and second chassis sections are capable of rotation with respect to each other in at least a first direction. The vehicle includes a drive wheel mounted to one of the first and second chassis sections and an omni-wheel mounted to the other of the first and second chassis sections. The omni-wheel is mounted at an angle orthogonal with respect to the drive wheel. The hinge joint rotates in response to the curvature of a surface the vehicle is traversing. |
247 |
LOAD CARRYING VEHICLE AND EJECTION MECHANISM AND METHODS RELATED THERETO |
PCT/US2005043948 |
2005-12-06 |
WO2006071461A3 |
2008-02-21 |
FENELLI NICHOLAS E |
Apparatus for transporting, loading, and off-loading munitions with improved safety and efficiency. In preferred embodiments, a munitions transport and loading apparatus (1) which employs omni-directional wheel modules (5) for optimized maneuverability. |
248 |
WALL CRAWLING DEVICES |
PCT/US2007070437 |
2007-06-05 |
WO2007143662A2 |
2007-12-13 |
PELRINE RONALD E; PRAHLAD HARSHA; KORNBLUH ROY D; LINCOLN PATRICK D; STANFORD SCOTT |
Described herein is electroadhesion technology that permits controllable adherence between two objects. Electroadhesion uses electrostatic forces of attraction produced by an electrostatic adhesion voltage, which is applied using electrodes in an electroadhesive device. The electrostatic adhesion voltage produces an electric field and electrostatic adherence forces. When the electroadhesive device and electrodes are positioned near a surface of an object such as a vertical wall, the electrostatic adherence forces hold the electroadhesive device in position relative to the surface and object. This can be used to increase traction or maintain the position of the electroadhesive device relative to a surface. Electric control of the electrostatic adhesion voltage permits the adhesion to be controllably and readily turned on and off. |
249 |
A TRANSFORMABLE VEHICLE |
PCT/US0129069 |
2001-09-18 |
WO0224417A3 |
2002-07-11 |
KERREBROCK PETER A; LARSEN ROBERT |
The Transformable vehicle (100) comprises a central chassis assembly (114) having first and second distal ends with an axis passing therebetween, a first wheel assembly (110a) mounted to the first distal end, and a second wheel assembly (110b) mounted to second distal end. A multifunction transformable vehicle (100) comprising at least two configurational states: a stowed state (102) and a transformed state (106). In the stowed state (102), the transformable vehicle (100) comprises a compact structure suitable for storage, transport or deployment. During transition form the stowed state (102) to the transformed state (106), the first and second wheel assemblies (110) move longitudinally outward along the axis to reveal the central chassis assembly (114). |
250 |
BALANCING PERSONAL VEHICLE |
PCT/US0042698 |
2000-12-08 |
WO0142077A3 |
2002-03-14 |
KAMEN DEAN L; FIELD DOUGLAS; HEINZMANN RICHARD KURT |
A transportation vehicle (100) for transporting an individual over ground having a surface that may be irregular. The vehicle has a support platform (112) for supporting the subject and the support platform is coupled to a ground-contacting module at a pivot (118). While the ground-contacting module may be statically stable, balance of the support platform with respect to the ground-contacting module (104) is maintained by motion of the ground-contacting module in response to leaning of the support platform. A motorized drive coupled to the ground-contacting module causes locomotion of the vehicle and the subject therewith over the surface, while a control loop, in which the motorized drive is included, dynamically enhances stability in the fore-aft plane by operation of the motorized drive in connection with the ground-contacting module. In the event of failure of the control loop, the pivot connection of the support platform to the ground-contacting module may be locked, thereby ensuring stability of the static assembly. |
251 |
UNDERWATER CRAWLER VEHICLE HAVING SEARCH AND IDENTIFICATION CAPABILITIES AND METHODS OF USE |
PCT/US2007004870 |
2007-02-23 |
WO2008054462A3 |
2008-12-11 |
RODOCKER DONALD; RODOCKER JESSE |
Apparatus for inspecting a submerged object and methods of use are provided, wherein a crawler vehicle includes a vortex generator, traction system and sensor system. Data from the sensor system is communicated to an onboard console for real-time review or transmission via a communication link to a remote site for analysis and review. Automated comparisons of current inspection data against normative or historical data may be performed, so in depth review of the current inspection is triggered only when the difference between current inspection data and the normative or historical data exceeds a predetermined threshold. Additionally, an adapter is provided having a vortex generator and a traction system, the adapter configured to be coupled to an ROV or other device having a sensor system. |
252 |
LOAD CARRYING VEHICLE AND EJECTION MECHANISM AND METHODS RELATED THERETO |
PCT/US2005043948 |
2005-12-06 |
WO2006071461A9 |
2006-11-30 |
FENELLI NICHOLAS E |
Apparatus for transporting, loading, and off-loading munitions with improved efficiency and safety. In preferred embodiments, a munitions transport and loading apparatus which employs omni-directional wheel modules for optimized maneuverability. |
253 |
SURFACE TRAVERSING APPARATUS |
PCT/US2004032846 |
2004-10-06 |
WO2005032920B1 |
2005-09-09 |
MAGGIO SAMUEL J |
The invention concerns a surface traversing apparatus that includes a frame, a seal having a seal perimeter that is mounted to the frame, and a drive configured to move the apparatus relative to the surface. The seal perimeter is adapted substantially for rolling contact with the surface to be traversed. The device is capable of suction adhering and moving along horizontal, vertical, inverted surfaces and the like, and overcoming obstacles or surface irregularities while maintaining suction adhesion to the surface. The device can be propelled along the surface with a locomoting rolling seal assembly, which provides both a seal to affect the vacuum adhesion and the locomotion to drive the device across the surface. |
254 |
SURFACE TRAVERSING APPARATUS |
PCT/US2004032846 |
2004-10-06 |
WO2005032920A3 |
2005-05-26 |
MAGGIO SAMUEL J |
The invention concerns a surface traversing apparatus that includes a frame, a seal having a seal perimeter that is mounted to the frame, and a drive configured to move the apparatus relative to the surface. The seal perimeter is adapted substantially for rolling contact with the surface to be traversed. The device is capable of suction adhering and moving along horizontal, vertical, inverted surfaces and the like, and overcoming obstacles or surface irregularities while maintaining suction adhesion to the surface. The device can be propelled along the surface with a locomoting rolling seal assembly, which provides both a seal to affect the vacuum adhesion and the locomotion to drive the device across the surface. |
255 |
A TRANSFORMABLE VEHICLE |
PCT/US0129069 |
2001-09-18 |
WO0224417B1 |
2002-08-08 |
KERREBROCK PETER A; LARSEN ROBERT |
The Transformable vehicle (100) comprises a central chassis assembly (114) having first and second distal ends with an axis passing therebetween, a first wheel assembly (110a) mounted to the first distal end, and a second wheel assembly (110b) mounted to second distal end. A multifunction transformable vehicle (100) comprising at least two configurational states: a stowed state (102) and a transformed state (106). In the stowed state (102), the transformable vehicle (100) comprises a compact structure suitable for storage, transport or deployment. During transition form the stowed state (102) to the transformed state (106), the first and second wheel assemblies (110) move longitudinally outward along the axis to reveal the central chassis assembly (114). |
256 |
VEHICLE DISLODGING SYSTEM |
PCT/US9912207 |
1999-06-02 |
WO9964288A9 |
2000-04-27 |
JONES BERNARD C |
The vehicle dislodging system (10) in accordance with one embodiment in the present invention for a vehicle (12) with a longitudinally extending vehicle frame (14) includes a first arm (16) and a drive system (22). The first arm (16) has a first elongated section (18) with opposing ends and a second elongated section with opposing ends (20). One of the ends of the first elongated section (18) is pivotally connected to one of the ends of the second elongated section (20). The other end of the first elongated section (18) is pivotally connected to the vehicle frame (14) for rotational and longitudinal movement with respect to the vehicle frame (14). The drive system (22) is connected to the vehicle frame (14) and to the first arm (16) and moves the first arm (16) from a resting position adjacent the vehicle frame to an engaging position with the ground surface to move the vehicle longitudinally, either forward or to the rear. |
257 |
Transport module for the moving of heavy loads |
PCT/DE9700201 |
1997-02-01 |
WO9729032A3 |
1997-09-25 |
CLAASSEN JOSEPHUS ANTONIUS MAR; DRENTH BEREND WILCO; FLUKS MARTEN |
A simply-designed, multi-purpose transport module with which heavy loads can be moved over the ground has the following features: a frame, on which the load is laid, is positioned on the floor. A support is positioned on the floor. The ground loading pressure of the frame, on an increase of the ground pressure loading of the support, and the ground pressure loading of the support, on an increase of the ground pressure loading of the frame, can be reduced to below the unloaded weight through an actuator of the frame or of the support. The frame and the support have a first pair of inclined paths through which the frame can be supported on the support and the frame is displaceable horizontally with respect to the support on achieving a sufficient reduction of its ground pressure loading. The frame and the support have a second pair of inclined paths through which the support can be supported on the frame and the support is displaceable horizontally with respect to the frame on achieving a sufficient reduction of its ground pressure loading. A load can be moved forward in a step-wise manner with such a transport module. |
258 |
Coordinated water environment mobile robots |
US15684102 |
2017-08-23 |
US10124494B2 |
2018-11-13 |
Ali Outa; Fadl Abdellatif; Sahejad Patel |
A two-part, selectively dockable robotic system having counterbalanced stabilization during performance of an operation on an underwater target structure is provided. The robotic system includes a first underwater robotic vehicle that is sized and shaped to at least partially surround the underwater target structure. A second underwater robotic vehicle is sized and shaped to at least partially surround the underwater target structure and selectively dock with the first underwater robotic vehicle. The first and second robotic vehicles include complimentary docking mechanisms that permit the vehicles to selectively couple to each other with the underwater target structure disposed at least partially therebetween. One robot includes a tool that can act upon the target structure and the other robot includes a stabilization module that can act upon the target structure in an opposite manner in order to counterbalance the force of the tool. |
259 |
Hinged vehicle chassis |
US15851038 |
2017-12-21 |
US10118655B2 |
2018-11-06 |
Ali Outa; Pablo Carrasco Zanini; Fadl Abdellatif; Brian Parrott |
A robotic vehicle chassis is provided. The robotic vehicle chassis includes a first chassis section, a second chassis section, and a hinge joint connecting the first and second chassis sections such that the first and second chassis sections are capable of rotation with respect to each other in at least a first direction. The vehicle includes a drive wheel mounted to one of the first and second chassis sections and an omni-wheel mounted to the other of the first and second chassis sections. The omni-wheel is mounted at an angle orthogonal with respect to the drive wheel. The hinge joint rotates in response to the curvature of a surface the vehicle is traversing. |
260 |
Hinged Vehicle Chassis |
US15851038 |
2017-12-21 |
US20180178861A1 |
2018-06-28 |
Ali Outa; Pablo Carrasco Zanini; Fadl Abdellatif; Brian Parrott |
A robotic vehicle chassis is provided. The robotic vehicle chassis includes a first chassis section, a second chassis section, and a hinge joint connecting the first and second chassis sections such that the first and second chassis sections are capable of rotation with respect to each other in at least a first direction. The vehicle includes a drive wheel mounted to one of the first and second chassis sections and an omni-wheel mounted to the other of the first and second chassis sections. The omni-wheel is mounted at an angle orthogonal with respect to the drive wheel. The hinge joint rotates in response to the curvature of a surface the vehicle is traversing. |