A method for robotic inspection of a part, includes the steps of: supporting the part with a robot mechanism; obtaining part-related sensor input with a sensor positioned to inspect the part supported by the robot mechanism; and controlling movement of the robot mechanism relative to the sensor, wherein the controlling is done by a feedback control unit which receives the sensor input, and the feedback control unit is configured to control the robot mechanism based upon the sensor input.

Provided are systems and methods for autonomous robotic localization. In one example, the method includes receiving ranging measurements from a plurality of fixed anchor nodes that each have a fixed position and height with respect to the asset, receiving another ranging measurement from an aerial anchor node attached to an unmanned robot having a dynamically adjustable position and height different than the fixed position and height of each of the plurality of anchor nodes, and determining a location of the autonomous robot with respect to the asset based on the ranging measurements received from the fixed anchor nodes and the aerial anchor node, and autonomously moving the autonomous robot about the asset based on the determined location.

According to one embodiment, a robot device includes a robot and a station part. The robot is inserted into a gap between an outer peripheral surface of a first part of a first member and a second member surrounding the outer peripheral surface. The first member includes the first part and a second part. A step is formed between the first part and the second part. The station part includes an elevating mechanism. The elevating mechanism lowers the robot onto the outer peripheral surface of the first member on a lower stage side of the step, and raises the robot from the outer peripheral surface.

A detection apparatus is usable to detect the neutron absorption capability of a control element of a nuclear installation and includes a neutron radiograph apparatus and a robot apparatus. The neutron radiograph apparatus includes a neutron emission source of variable strength, a detector array, a mask apparatus and a positioning robot all under the control of a central processor and data acquisition unit. The neutron emission source is advantageously switchable between an ON state and OFF state with variable source strength in the ON state, which avoids any need for shielding beyond placing the neutron emission source in an inspection pool at the nuclear plant site including but not limited to the spent fuel or shipping cask laydown pools. The neutron emission source is situated at one side of a wing of the control element and generates a neutron stream, the detector array is situated on an opposite side of a wing, and the neutron emission source and detector array are robotically advanced along the wing. The detector array is monitored in real time, and various masks of the mask apparatus can be positioned between the neutron emission source and the detector array to more specifically identify the position on the blade where the neutrons are passing through.

This disclosure provides systems and methods for in situ gap inspection in a machine, such as a generator, an electric motor, or a turbomachine. A robotic crawler includes an expandable body, multidirectional traction modules, and sensor modules. The expandable body is movable between a collapsed state and an expanded state. The multidirectional traction modules are removably connected to and positioned by the expandable body and configured to engage opposed surfaces within an annular gap of the machine. The sensor modules are removably connected to and supported by the expandable body and include a plurality of sensor types to inspect the annular gap of the machine.

One embodiment provides a pipe inspection robot, including: a chassis configured to traverse through an interior of a water or sewer pipe; an extension piece coupled to the chassis; a water quality probe comprising a first end that couples to the extension piece and a sensing end distal thereto; an electric motor configured to reposition the sensing end of the water quality probe with respect to the extension piece; said electric motor acting to rotate the sensing end of the water quality probe to reposition the sensing end proximate to fluid containing water located proximate to a bottom part of the chassis; the sensing end configured to contact the fluid containing water for contact sensing of water quality data. Other aspects are described and claimed.

A machining system includes a robot arm for changing a workpiece or inspecting a machined workpiece, and a probe that is attached to a distal end portion of the robot arm via a force sensor, where the robot arm is controlled such that the probe is arranged at a predetermined measurement position in contact with a side surface of a tool holder, where detection values of the force sensor are obtained over a predetermined period of time in a state where a main spindle is performing rotation operation, where an attached state of the tool holder is determined based on the detection values obtained over the predetermined period of time.

A multifunctional end effector includes a support structure configured to be carried by a robotic system and at least two of a fluid stream cutting system, a spindle system and/or a scanning system, each mounted to the support structure. Also described is a fluid stream cutting system having a plurality of fluid stream catchers selectively mountable to the fluid stream system and a mounting arrangement for mounting each fluid stream catcher to the fluid stream cutting system.

A detection apparatus is usable to detect the neutron absorption capability of a control element of a nuclear installation and includes a neutron radiograph apparatus and a robot apparatus. The neutron radiograph apparatus includes a neutron emission source of variable strength, a detector array, a mask apparatus and a positioning robot all under the control of a central processor and data acquisition unit. The neutron emission source is advantageously switchable between an ON state and OFF state with variable source strength in the ON state, which avoids any need for shielding beyond placing the neutron emission source in an inspection pool at the nuclear plant site including but not limited to the spent fuel or shipping cask laydown pools. The neutron emission source is situated at one side of a wing of the control element and generates a neutron stream, the detector array is situated on an opposite side of a wing, and the neutron emission source and detector array are robotically advanced along the wing. The detector array is monitored in real time, and various masks of the mask apparatus can be positioned between the neutron emission source and the detector array to more specifically identify the position on the blade where the neutrons are passing through.

An inspection system comprises a crane system, a six axis, one hundred and fifty degree articulating robotic arm, a laser inspection system, and a communications system. The robotic arm is connected to a base of the crane system. The laser inspection system is connected to the robotic arm. The communications system is configured to send and receive instructions for the crane system, the robotic arm, and the laser inspection system.