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 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.

A bearingless hub assembly comprising a rim hollowed to receive a tube magnet, and magnets embedded around the circumference of the rim on both ends. The rim is capped by front and rear rim plates configured to hold the embedded magnets in place and fitted to receive respective circular magnets. Similar magnets in corresponding front or rear drive plate maintain space (i.e., levitation) vis-à-vis the front and rear rim caps by repelling each other, thus allowing the rim (and, as applied, a mechanically-attached tire assembly) to move freely with no friction. The front and rear drive plate carry forward and reverse electromagnetic actuators as well as forward and reverse levitation control units, power generators and speed sensors. These components mount 360 degrees around the circumference of the drive plates while the embedded magnets of the rim spin through when in motion.

A robotic device may include a housing comprising the shape of a wheel, the housing having a magnetically conductive outer surface and an inner chamber. The robotic device may include a plurality of magnetic elements disposed around the inner chamber of the housing, the plurality of magnetic elements being coupled to a first end of a power drive. The robotic device may include a processor disposed in the inner chamber of the housing, the processor being coupled to a second end of a power drive. The processor may use the power drive to instructs at least one magnetic element out of the plurality of magnetic elements to magnetize. The at least one magnetic element may be magnetized without magnetizing any other magnetic element out of the plurality of magnetic elements.

A magnetic hub plug apparatus for sealing a wheel hub and detecting wheel bearing failure includes a plug body having a plug outer side, a plug inner side, and a plug edge. A seal ring has a proximal perimeter coupled to the plug inner side, a distal perimeter, and a seal sidewall extending from the proximal perimeter to the distal perimeter. The seal ring is configured to sealingly fit within a wheel hub cap. A magnet extension is coupled to the seal ring. The magnet extension extends from the seal sidewall and dips within an oil reservoir of the wheel hub cap with each rotation. A magnet insert is coupled within the magnet extension to collect particles from a faulty wheel bearing. A plug grip is coupled to the plug body and extends from the plug outer side.

The present disclosure is related to a hubcap vent plug that allows for simultaneous ventilation and debris collection of a hubcap comprising a magnet, a wireless communication sensor, and a plug body. In embodiments the wireless communication sensor is capable of monitoring internal characteristics of a hubcap. The plug body comprises an outer portion and an inner portion, wherein the outer portion comprises an external surface, an internal surface, a perimeter surface, and at least one borehole, and the inner portion comprises an outer lip, a magnet housing, and an internal gap.

An improved wheel cover for large commercial vehicle trailers is disclosed. It includes simple and robust mechanism for attachment with the wheel, facilitates easy installation and removal, and provides better aerodynamics and fuel efficiency during travel. In a preferred embodiment, an annular flexible shell cover (covering an annular magnet) of the wheel cover, deforms and frictionally fits into hollow of a corresponding wheel flange, and the annular magnet (lying under the shell cover) keeps the shell cover magnetically attached (with a strong magnetic bonding) with the flange. Hence, in addition to the magnetic bonding, the installed wheel cover is held in place by a friction fitting between the shell cover and the flange. The outer side of the wheel cover can either be kept planar or curved, and its surface can be dimpled or smooth.

The present disclosure generally relates to an omni-direction wheel system and methods for controlling the omni-direction wheel system. The omni-direction wheel system includes a plurality of suspension systems that operate independently of one another. Each suspension system may include an electromagnetic steering hub configured to rotate a wheel 360 degrees about a vertical axis based on a polarity of an electromagnetic signal applied to the electromagnetic steering hub. The suspension system may further include an in-wheel motor configured to rotate with the wheel and drive the wheel about a horizontal axis.

An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) autonomously perching on a curved surface from a starting position is provided. The UAV includes: a 3D depth camera configured to capture and output 3D point clouds of scenes from the UAV including the curved surface; a 2D LIDAR system configured to capture and output 2D slices of the scenes; and a control circuit. The control circuit is configured to: control the depth camera and the LIDAR system to capture the 3D point clouds and the 2D slices, respectively, of the scenes; input the captured 3D point clouds from the depth camera and the captured 2D slices from the LIDAR system; autonomously detect and localize the curved surface using the captured 3D point clouds and 2D slices; and autonomously direct the UAV from the starting position to a landing position on the curved surface based on the autonomous detection and localization of the curved surface.

A rolling bearing unit includes: an inner ring member having a recess on a first side in an axial direction along a rotation axis, which is recessed toward a second side in the axial direction; an outer ring member on an outer peripheral side of the inner ring member; a rolling body between the inner ring member and the outer ring member; a non-contact transmitter using electric field coupling capable of transmitting at least one of an electric power or a signal and including a stationary-side transmission part including a stationary-side electrode and a rotary-side transmission part including a rotary-side electrode facing the stationary-side electrode; and a covering member supported by the first side of the outer ring member in the axial direction, covering the first side of the inner ring member in the axial direction, and fixing the stationary-side transmission part to the first side in the axial direction.