A vehicle may include a chassis, at least one wheel rotatably coupled to the chassis, and a magnet positioning inside of the at least one wheel. The magnet may be rotatably coupled to the wheel with a first shaft, such that the magnet is rotatable about a first axis. In some instances, the magnet may also be coupled to the first shaft with a second shaft, such that the magnet is rotatable relative to the wheel about a second axis. Accordingly, the magnet may have either one or two degrees of freedom of movement within the at least one wheel. The magnet may rotate passively, actively, or semi-actively in one or more directions to provide an attractive force toward a ferromagnetic surface to secure the vehicle to the ferromagnetic surface.

A vehicle may include a chassis, at least one wheel rotatably coupled to the chassis, and a magnet positioning inside of the at least one wheel. The magnet may be rotatably coupled to the wheel with a first shaft, such that the magnet is rotatable about a first axis. In some instances, the magnet may also be coupled to the first shaft with a second shaft, such that the magnet is rotatable relative to the wheel about a second axis. Accordingly, the magnet may have either one or two degrees of freedom of movement within the at least one wheel. The magnet may rotate passively, actively, or semi-actively in one or more directions to provide an attractive force toward a ferromagnetic surface to secure the vehicle to the ferromagnetic surface.

(Task) To provide a wheel of an omni-wheel type which can be made at low cost, and a method for making such a wheel.

(Means to Accomplish the Task) The wheel (3) comprises a core member (32) consisting of a tubular member (140) formed with a plurality of V-shaped notches (142) on one side thereof, and bent into an annular shape so as to close the notches, and a plurality of free rollers (60) each rotatably fitted on a linear section (120) of the tubular member located between a mutually adjoining pair of the V-shaped notches via a bearing (122) provided with an inner race (124) and an outer race (126), wherein a raised piece (130) is provided for each inner race on another side of the tubular member opposite from the one side as well as a protrusion (138) so as to engage an end surface of the inner race and fixedly secure the inner race to the core member.

A new and improved anatomical imaging system which includes a new and improved movement system, wherein the movement system comprises an omnidirectional powered drive unit and wherein the movement system can substantially eliminate lateral walk (or drift) over the complete stroke of a scan, even when the floor includes substantial irregularities, whereby to improve the accuracy of the scan results and avoid unintentional engagement of the anatomical imaging system with the bed or gurney which is supporting the patient.

The welding shaft for a universal wheel includes a big wheel welding shaft and a small wheel welding shaft, wherein the big wheel welding shaft includes a big wheel welding shaft body, a big wheel welding shaft retainer ring and a big wheel welding shaft fixing head which are sequentially assembled into a whole. The small wheel welding shaft includes a small wheel welding shaft body, a small wheel welding shaft retainer ring and a small wheel welding shaft fixing head which are sequentially assembled into a whole. The wheel assembly for a universal wheel includes a wheel shaft fixing plate, the welding shaft, a big wheel, and a small wheel. The universal wheel includes an outer protection plate, an outer fixing plate, a wheel shaft drive connector, multiple wheel assemblies, an inner fixing plate, an inner protection plate, and multiple shock absorption assemblies.

A vehicle includes a wheel to contact a surface having a reference surface plane in operation of the vehicle; a chassis; an axle housing having an axis which is normal to the reference surface plane; and an axle. The axle extends from the axle housing, to couple the wheel to the axle housing and to support rotation of the wheel relative to the axle housing to support motion of the vehicle across the surface in operation of the vehicle. A suspension system couples the wheel to the chassis and includes a linkage assembly having a first end pivotably coupled to the chassis and a second end pivotably coupled to the axle housing. The first end of the linkage assembly is spaced apart laterally from the second end of the linkage assembly along a longitudinal axis of the linkage assembly. The suspension system is configured to maintain the axis of the axle housing at an angle normal to the reference surface plane in response to an angular displacement between the chassis and the reference surface plane.

A vehicle includes a wheel to contact a surface having a reference surface plane in operation of the vehicle; a chassis; an axle housing having an axis which is normal to the reference surface plane; and an axle. The axle extends from the axle housing, to couple the wheel to the axle housing and to support rotation of the wheel relative to the axle housing to support motion of the vehicle across the surface in operation of the vehicle. A suspension system couples the wheel to the chassis and includes a linkage assembly having a first end pivotably coupled to the chassis and a second end pivotably coupled to the axle housing. The first end of the linkage assembly is spaced apart laterally from the second end of the linkage assembly along a longitudinal axis of the linkage assembly. The suspension system is configured to maintain the axis of the axle housing at an angle normal to the reference surface plane in response to an angular displacement between the chassis and the reference surface plane.

Robotic devices that can be utilized on pipes of any material and of a variety of pipe diameters are provided. The robotic device utilizes a ducted fan to create the normal forces needed to adhere to any part of a pipe. The chassis of the device can be segmented to allow for application on various diameter pipes.

A leak detector is provided that is incorporated into the wheels of a moveable medical device and/or cart or cabinet therefor. By incorporating a leak detector into the wheels themselves of the movable medical device, the leak detector, despite movement of the medical device, is suitably located to locate leaks with respect to the medical device at all times and requires no additional setup. The leak detector can further be tested by and interface with the moveable medical device to ensure the leak detector is in working condition and provide a convenient interface for a user. Additionally, by using this technology on each of the multiple wheels of a moveable medical device, the detectable area may be bigger than a leak detector at only one location.

A leak detector is provided that is incorporated into the wheels of a moveable medical device and/or cart or cabinet therefor. By incorporating a leak detector into the wheels themselves of the movable medical device, the leak detector, despite movement of the medical device, is suitably located to locate leaks with respect to the medical device at all times and requires no additional setup. The leak detector can further be tested by and interface with the moveable medical device to ensure the leak detector is in working condition and provide a convenient interface for a user. Additionally, by using this technology on each of the multiple wheels of a moveable medical device, the detectable area may be bigger than a leak detector at only one location.