B60B2360/109

METHODS AND INSPECTION ROBOTS WITH ON BODY CONFIGURATION
20220331983 · 2022-10-20 ·

Methods and inspection robots with on body configuration are described. An example inspection robot may have a center body with a plurality of connected drive modules, each drive module having a sensing circuit to measure a drive module operating characteristic, and a visual indicator circuit to output a first visual indicator corresponding to the drive module operating characteristic. The visual indicator circuits of each of the plurality of drive modules are positioned to be simultaneously visible at a point of view.

INSPECTION ROBOTS AND METHODS FOR INSPECTION OF CURVED SURFACES

Inspection robots and methods for inspection of curved surfaces are described. An example inspection robot may include a housing, and at least one drive module operative linked to the housing and including a wheel and motor. An example inspection robot may further include two sleds, each with a sensor, the sled connectable to a payload. An example payload may include multiple rail components with intervening connectors, the connectors are able to connect two rail components at a plurality of discrete engagement positions.

HIGH TEMPERATURE COMPLIANT WHEELS FOR AN INSPECTION ROBOT

High temperature compliant wheels for an inspection robot are described. An example wheel may have a first non-ferrous wheel enclosure including a first outer surface having a serration texture, a second non-ferrous wheel enclosure including a second outer surface having the serration texture, and a magnetic hub interposed between the first non-ferrous wheel enclosure and the second non-ferrous wheel enclosure

METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR VERIFIABLE INSPECTION OPERATIONS

Methods and apparatus for verifiable inspection operations are described. An example apparatus may have an inspection description circuit to interpret an inspection definition value and a payload status circuit to provide a payload identification value in response to at least one of a payload specific configuration or signals from a payload. The example apparatus may also have an inspection integrity circuit to determine an inspection description value in response to the inspection definition value and the payload identification value and an inspection reporting circuit to communicate the inspection description value to an external device.

INSPECTION ROBOT AND METHODS UTILIZING COOLANT FOR TEMPERATURE MANAGEMENT

Inspection robot and methods utilizing coolant for temperature management are described. An example inspection robot may include a housing with a couplant retaining chamber, and an electronic board selectively thermally coupled to the couplant retaining chamber. The inspection robot may include a couplant input port coupling a couplant source to a couplant flow path, a drive module coupled to the housing, and a payload with at least one sensor, where the payload is coupled to the housing. The couplant flow path is fluidly coupling the couplant input port to the couplant retaining chamber.

INSPECTION ROBOTS WITH INDEPENDENT DRIVE MODULE SUSPENSION
20220334087 · 2022-10-20 ·

Inspection robots with independent drive module suspension are described. An example inspection robot may have a housing with a first connector on a first side of the housing, and a second connector on a second side of the housing. A first drive module, having at least one wheel and a first motor, may be operatively coupled to the first connector, and a second drive module, having at least one wheel and a first motor, may be operatively coupled to the second connector. The first and second drive modules may be coupled by a drive connector.

SYSTEMS, METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL AND ACTIVE COOLING OF AN INSPECTION ROBOT

Systems, methods, and apparatus for temperature control and active cooling of an inspection robot are disclosed. An example apparatus may include a temperature determination circuit to interpret an inspection temperature value, a temperature management circuit to determine a temperature management command in response to the inspection temperature value, and a temperature response circuit to provide the temperature management command to a temperature management device associated with an inspection robot.

Inspection robots with configurable interface plates

Inspection robots with configurable interface plates are described. An example inspection robot may have a housing with at least three removable interface plates, each removable interface plate having a coupling interface for an electronic component on a first side, and coupled to at least one of a plurality of electronic boards on a second side. The example inspection robot may further include a drive module configured to couple to at least one of the removable interface plates, and a payload configured to couple to at least one of the removable interface plates. The example inspection robot may further include a means for operating the inspection robot in response to the drive module coupled to one of the removable interface plates, and the payload coupled to any other one of the removable interface plates.

Inspection robot with removeable interface plates and method for configuring payload interfaces

Inspection robots with removeable interface plates and method for configuring payload interfaces are described. An example robot may include a payload, with at least one sensor, mounted to a housing of the inspection robot. The housing may include a removeable interface plate coupled to the at least one sensor and to an electronic board, the electronic board positioned within the housing. The removeable interface plate may define an electrical coupling interface compatible with the payload, and the electronic board may include an electrical processing configuration compatible with the payload.

Inspection robots and methods for inspection of curved surfaces

Inspection robots and methods for inspection of curved surfaces are described. An example inspection robot may include a housing, and at least one drive module operative linked to the housing and including a wheel and motor. An example inspection robot may further include two sleds, each with a sensor, the sled connectable to a payload. An example payload may include multiple rail components with intervening connectors, the connectors are able to connect two rail components at a plurality of discrete engagement positions.