A magnetic crawler configured to navigate on and inspect a ferromagnetic cylindrical surface is provided. The crawler includes a chassis, a controller configured to control the crawler, a probe configured to inspect the cylindrical surface under the control of the controller, and only three articulated magnetic wheels configured to tangentially contact and magnetically adhere to the cylindrical surface. The wheels include two drive wheels respectively coupled to the chassis by two articulation joints and configured to drive the crawler in a desired direction on the cylindrical surface by actively rotating the two drive wheels independently about respective drive axes of rotation by respective drive motors under the control of the controller; and a rear wheel coupled to the chassis by a rear articulation joint and configured to passively rotate about a rear drive axis of rotation in response to the active rotations of the two drive wheels.

The Reconfigurable Wheel-Track (RWT) is a novel mechanism that allows a wheel to transform into a track, and vice-versa. The wheel permits a vehicle to travel quickly over smooth and semi-rough terrain, then, on-the-fly, transform rapidly into a powered track for crossing extreme terrain. The reconfigurable wheel-track consists of several main components: an outer tire/tread, drive mechanisms for the wheel and track, support mechanisms for the outer tread when in either wheel mode or track mode, and a reconfiguration mechanism that facilitates the transformation from a wheel to a track and vice-versa. The reconfigurable wheel-track includes sensing, actuation, and controls to facilitate efficient and effective transition from wheel to track and vice-versa, and securely maintain each shape.

The Reconfigurable Wheel-Track (RWT) is a novel mechanism that allows a wheel to transform into a track, and vice-versa. The wheel permits a vehicle to travel quickly over smooth and semi-rough terrain, then, on-the-fly, transform rapidly into a powered track for crossing extreme terrain. The reconfigurable wheel-track consists of several main components: an outer tire/tread, drive mechanisms for the wheel and track, support mechanisms for the outer tread when in either wheel mode or track mode, and a reconfiguration mechanism that facilitates the transformation from a wheel to a track and vice-versa. The reconfigurable wheel-track includes sensing, actuation, and controls to facilitate efficient and effective transition from wheel to track and vice-versa, and securely maintain each shape.

The invention discloses a puncture emergency safety device for automobiles comprises oppositely arranged first rubber member and second rubber member wherein one end of said first rubber member is connected with one end of the second rubber member via the first connector while the other end thereof is connected with the other end of the second rubber member via the second connector to enable the first rubber member and a second rubber member to enclose and form an annular structure. The invention, a puncture emergency safety device for automobiles, can save installation space and simplify fixing condition by virtue of oppositely arranged first rubber member and second rubber member; the invention has simple structure and easy to install, and at the same time, possesses function and advantages of rubber air spring and shock absorber which can exert function of bearing, buffering and shock absorbing.

The invention discloses a puncture emergency safety device for automobiles comprises oppositely arranged first rubber member and second rubber member wherein one end of said first rubber member is connected with one end of the second rubber member via the first connector while the other end thereof is connected with the other end of the second rubber member via the second connector to enable the first rubber member and a second rubber member to enclose and form an annular structure. The invention, a puncture emergency safety device for automobiles, can save installation space and simplify fixing condition by virtue of oppositely arranged first rubber member and second rubber member; the invention has simple structure and easy to install, and at the same time, possesses function and advantages of rubber air spring and shock absorber which can exert function of bearing, buffering and shock absorbing.

A system includes an inspection robot comprising a plurality of sensor sleds; a plurality of ultra-sonic (UT) sensors; a couplant chamber mounted to each of the plurality of sleds, each couplant chamber comprising: a cone, the cone comprising a cone tip portion at an inspection surface end of the cone; a sensor mounting end opposite the cone tip portion; a couplant entry fluidly coupled to the cone at a position between the cone tip portion and the sensor mounting end; and wherein each of the UT sensors is mounted to the sensor mounting end of one of the couplant chambers.

A lawn mower includes a blade housing and a height adjusting mechanism for adjusting a height of the blade housing with respect to the associated ground. The height adjusting mechanism includes rear wheel support members for supporting rear drive wheels. Each rear drive wheel includes a cover having an exterior cover part and an interior cover part. The interior cover part is directly connected to one of the support members without the use of separate associated mechanical fasteners.

An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) having a plurality of arms and a land/air drive assembly attached to each arm. The land/air drive assembly includes (i) a multi-speed motor assembly; (ii) a propeller having a first diameter and driven by the motor assembly at a first speed; and (iii) a ground drive wheel having a second diameter greater than the first diameter and driven by the motor assembly at a second speed slower than the first speed. A drive assembly orientation actuator is positioned between each arm and each drive assembly, wherein the orientation actuator is configured to, on command, rotate the drive assembly between a flight position and ground drive position approximately perpendicular to the flight position.

An electrical passenger car, the electrical passenger car comprising: at least two electrically driven motors; motor control electronics; sensors; and wheels, wherein said wheels comprise a first front wheel and a first back wheel, wherein said first back wheel has a radius at least 9% greater than a radius of said first front wheel, and wherein said motor control electronics control said at least two electrically driven motors to provide a greater torque to said front wheel than to said back wheel, or wherein said motor control electronics control said at least two electrically driven motors to provide a greater torque to said back wheel than to said front wheel.

The Reconfigurable Wheel-Track (RWT) device is a novel mechanism that allows a wheel to transform into a track, and vice versa. The wheel mode allows a vehicle to travel quickly over smooth and semi-rough terrain, then, on-the-fly, transform rapidly into a powered track mode for crossing extreme terrain. The reconfigurable wheeltrack device comprises several main components: an outer tire/tread, a drive mechanism for driving the tread when in track mode and a reconfiguration mechanism that facilitates the transformation from wheel mode to track mode and vice versa. The reconfigurable wheel-track includes sensing, actuation, and controls to facilitate efficient and effective transitions, and securely maintain each wheel and track shape.