Inspection robots with a payload engagement device are described. An example inspection robot may have a housing, a drive module, having at least one wheel and a motor, where the drive module is operatively coupled to the housing. The example inspection robot may also have a payload coupled to the drive module, where the payload includes a sensor mounted to the payload, and a payload engagement device operationally coupled to the drive module and the payload, where the payload engagement device applies a selected downward force on the payload.

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.

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 and methods for inspection of curved surfaces with sensors at selected horizontal distances are described. An example of such an inspection robot includes a housing; a drive module with a wheel and a motor operatively linked to the housing, a plurality of sensor sleds, and a payload. The payload, which is coupled to the housing, may include a first and a second rail component, each with at least one connector, where the rail components are connectable at a first selected position of a plurality of discrete engagement positions. Each of the rail components may be structured to support at least one of the plurality of sleds where each of the plurality of sleds is coupled to the payload at a respective selected horizontal position such that the plurality of sleds are at selected horizontal distances from each other.

A hubcap for a hub of a wheel assembly includes a body configured to couple to the hub. The body is formed from a first material having a first hardness, and the body has a port extending along a path through the body from a port inlet to a port outlet. The hubcap also includes an insert disposed within the port. The insert includes internal threads configured to engage corresponding external threads of a plug, the insert is formed from a second material having a second hardness, and the second hardness is greater than the first hardness. Furthermore, the port includes a seal-engaging surface configured to engage a seal of the plug, and each interface between the first material and the second material along a plug-facing interior surface of the path is positioned downstream from the seal-engaging surface.

High temperature wheels for inspection robots are described. An example wheel may have a plurality of wheel enclosures with a plurality of inter-covers interposed between the plurality of wheel enclosures. The example wheel may have a magnetic hub including a high temperature magnet, the magnetic hub being interposed between a first wheel enclosure of the plurality of wheel enclosures and a second wheel enclosure of the plurality of wheel enclosures. Each of the plurality of inter-covers is structured to guide a magnetic field of the magnetic hub.

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

Inspection robots with flexible wheel/motor positioning are described. An example inspection robot may have a housing having a first connector positioned on a first side of the housing, and a second connector positioned on a second side of the housing. A first drive module may include a wheel and a motor and be operatively coupled to the first connector. A second drive module may include a wheel and a second motor and be operatively coupled to the second connector, where the wheel may be interposed between the second connector and the second motor.

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.