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 Title: |
US5350033:
Robotic inspection vehicle
[ Derwent Title ]
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| Country: |
US United States of America
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| Inventor: |
Kraft, Brett W.; Overland Park, KS 66214
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| Assignee: |
None
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| Published / Filed: |
1994-09-27
/ 1993-04-26
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| Application Number: |
US1993000053083
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| IPC Code: |
Advanced:
B25J 5/00;
B25J 9/00;
G05D 1/00;
H04N 7/18;
IPC-7:
B62D 1/28;
H04N 7/18;
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| ECLA Code: |
G05D1/00C5; B25J5/00W; B25J9/00D; H04N7/18D2; S05D201/0207;
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| U.S. Class: |
Current:
180/167;
180/006.5;
180/006.58;
180/008.2;
180/009.32;
348/082;
348/118;
348/E07.088;
701/002;
701/024;
901/001;
Original:
180/167;
180/006.5;
180/006.58;
180/008.2;
180/009.32;
348/082;
348/118;
364/424.02;
901/001;
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| Field of Search: |
180/6.5,6.58,167,7.1,8.2,9.32,9.34,9.36,9.38
901/001
364/424.02
340/728
358/103
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| Priority Number: |
| 1993-04-26 |
US1993000053083 |
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| Abstract: |
A remotely controllable robotic inspection vehicle includes a fixed housing which can accommodate a number of modular inspection and/or robotic arm components. The base unit includes two drive and two free castering wheels arranged in an independently articulating configuration which insures that at least three of the wheels are in a supporting position at all times and that the drive wheels always have traction. Thus, when small objects, such as construction debris, uneven floors, etc., are encountered, the vehicle easily traverses them with no danger of tipping or loss of traction. The two drive wheels are independently powered, which permits the vehicle to be rotated in a very small confined space about the same diameter as the width of the vehicle. A centrally mounted, modular telescoping camera assembly includes a camera which can be raised and lowered as well as rotated in the vertical and horizontal planes and/or a modular robotic arm. The vehicle can be lowered into remote areas, such as underground transformer housings, etc. to perform inspections and repairs.
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| Attorney, Agent or Firm: |
Litman, McMahon & Brown ;
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| Primary / Asst. Examiners: |
Hill, Mitchel J.;
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| INPADOC Legal Status: |
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| Family: |
None
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First Claim:
Show all 28 claims |
What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is as follows:
1. A robotic inspection vehicle comprising:
- (a) a vehicle housing;
- (b) an articulating support and drive assembly including four wheels, said assembly being adapted to support said vehicle by maintaining at least three of said wheels in a supporting position when said vehicle is traversing an obstacle;
- (c) environmental monitoring means for sensing ambient conditions around said vehicle, said monitoring means being mounted on said vehicle housing; and
- (d) means for shifting the center of gravity of said vehicle over the three wheels which are in a supporting position when said vehicle is traversing said obstacle.
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| Background / Summary: |
Show background / summary
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| Drawing Descriptions: |
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| Description: |
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| Forward References: |
Show 114 U.S. patent(s) that reference this one
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