Patent classifications
B08B9/049
INSPECTION ROBOT
- Mark J. Loosararian ,
- Michael A. Binger ,
- Edward A. Bryner ,
- Edwin H. Cho ,
- Mark Cho ,
- Alexander R. Cuti ,
- Ignacio J. Cordova ,
- Benjamin A. Guise ,
- Dillon R. Jourde ,
- Kevin Y. Low ,
- Logan A. MacKenzie ,
- Joshua D. Moore ,
- Jeffrey J. Mrkonich ,
- William J. Pridgen ,
- Domenic P. Rodriguez ,
- Francesco H. Trogu ,
- Alex C. Watt ,
- Yizhu Gu ,
- Ian Miller ,
- Todd Joslin ,
- Katherine Virginia Denner ,
- Michael Stephen Auda ,
- Samuel Theodore Westenberg
An inspection robot includes a robot body, at least two sensors, a drive module, a stability assist device and an actuator. The at least two sensors are positioned to interrogate an inspection surface and are communicatively coupled to the robot body. The drive module includes at least two wheels that engage the inspection surface. The drive module is coupled to the robot body. The stability assist device is coupled to at least one of the robot body or the drive module. The actuator is coupled to the stability assist device at a first end, and coupled to one of the drive module or the robot body at a second end. The actuator is structured to selectively move the stability assist device between a first position and a second position. The first position includes a stored position. The second position includes a deployed position.
SYSTEM, APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING AN INSPECTION MAP
Systems, apparatus and methods for providing an inspection map are disclosed. An apparatus for performing an inspection may include an inspection data circuit to interpret inspection data, a robot positioning circuit to interpret position data, and a processed data circuit to link the inspection data with the position data to determine position-based inspection data. The apparatus may further include a user interaction circuit to interpret an inspection visualization request for an inspection map and an inspection visualization circuit to determine the inspection map based on the position-based inspection data, and a provisioning circuit structured to provide the inspection map to a user device.
SYSTEM, METHOD, AND APPARATUS FOR RAPID DEVELOPMENT OF AN INSPECTION SCHEME FOR AN INSPECTION ROBOT
Systems, methods and apparatus for rapid development of an inspection scheme for an inspection robot are disclosed. An apparatus may include an inspection definition circuit to interpret an inspection description value, and a robot configuration circuit to determine an inspection robot configuration description in response to the inspection description value. The apparatus may further include a configuration implementation circuit, communicatively coupled to a configuration interface of an inspection robot, to provide at least a portion of the inspection robot configuration description to the configuration interface.
Inspection robot having replaceable sensor sled portions
A system includes an inspection robot having a number of payloads, a number of arms mounted to the payloads, and a number of sleds mounted to the arms, where the sleds comprise an upper portion coupled to a replaceable lower portion, the replaceable lower portion having a bottom surface shaped to accommodate an inspection surface; and an inspection sensor coupled to the upper portion of the one of the plurality of sleds such that the sensor is operationally couplable to the inspection surface.
Inspection robot with couplant chamber disposed within sled for acoustic coupling
A system includes an inspection robot having a number of payloads, a number of arms mounted to the payloads, and a number of sleds mounted to the arms. The system includes a number of sensors, each mounted to a corresponding sled, such that the sensor is operationally coupleable to an inspection surface in contact with a bottom surface of the corresponding sled. A couplant chamber is provided within at least two of the sleds, the couplant chamber between a transducer of a sensor and the inspection surface. The system includes a biasing member for each of the arms, where the biasing member provides a down force on the corresponding sled.
A PIPE CLEANING DEVICE
A device for cleaning the internal surface of a pipe has a main pipe axis. The device further includes one or more generally tubular conduits, including a conduit wall, at least one of the or each tubular conduit including an inlet to receive pressurised gas into the tubular conduit. One or more nozzles is deployed around the outside of the or each tubular conduit, with the or each nozzle being in fluid connection with the tubular conduit. At least one nozzle is directed at least partially to direct fluid in a direction non-perpendicular to the main tubular conduit axis, with one or more spacer elements to hold the or each tubular conduit in spaced relationship to a pipe.
SYSTEM, METHOD, AND APPARATUS TO PERFORM A SURFACE INSPECTION USING REAL-TIME POSITION INFORMATION
A system includes an inspection robot for performing an inspection on an inspection surface with an inspection robot, the apparatus comprising a position definition circuit structured to determine an inspection robot position on the inspection surface; a data positioning circuit structured to interpret inspection data, and to correlate the inspection data to the inspection robot position on the inspection surface; and wherein the data positioning circuit is further structured to determine position informed inspection data in response to the correlating of the inspection data with the inspection robot position, wherein the position informed inspection data comprises absolute position data.
PROGRAMMABLE TANK CLEANING NOZZLE
Manual, automated, or semi-automated programmable tank cleaning nozzle systems, devices and methods for providing safe and efficient methods for breaking up oil, tar, chemical, radioactive, hazardous, or any other liquid, solid, or sludge waste inside storage tanks, ballast tanks, floating roof tanks, void tanks, rail tank cars and the like with nozzles which utilize fluid jets to break up, liquefy, and motivate tank material. The programmable tank cleaning nozzle incorporates two degrees of freedom and can be mounted to existing booms, robotic arms, gantry systems, rigid beams, manways, or any other rigid structure. The programmable tank cleaning nozzle can be a standalone, independent unit or integrated into new designs and/or existing systems. Simplified programming and user interface allowing an operator to remotely operate the system without the need for a camera system. The system is hydraulically controlled and can work in the presence of flammable vapors and dust.
METHOD AND SYSTEM OF REMOVING DEBRIS FROM PIPING IN A HIGH-RISE BUILDING PLUMBING NETWORK
A method and system for removing debris from drainage lines in high rise building uses a high pressure water line terminated by a head having one or more backwards-facing nozzles. The thrust force creates at the backward-facing nozzle(s) is sufficient to propel the head and water line vertically up a drainage line. An operates can control the head and, with the assistance of a video system used with the head, maneuver the head along the line, into single stack aerator fittings, and into and along horizontal lines connected to the single stack aerator fittings. The force of the water exiting the nozzle(s) on the head both dislodges debris in the drainage line and fittings, and urges it downstream back to the access point where the head was inserted into the drainage line.
Swivel for sewer cleaning system
Provided is a rinsing head for a pipe or sewer inspection system, comprising imaging means arranged at the front end and rinsing means arranged axially behind the imaging means. The rinsing means comprises a number of rinsing nozzles with openings arranged on its lateral surface and spaced apart from each other circumferentially. The rinsing nozzles are connected via to an inlet opening for pressurized water provided at the rear end of the rinsing means. A WLAN module is arranged within the rinsing head and coupled to a camera module of the imaging means operatively. An antenna unit of the WLAN module is arranged axially behind the rinsing nozzles with at least one antenna arranged at least partially radially around the inlet opening for pressurized water. The WLAN module and the antenna unit are adapted to transmit image and/or video data provided by the camera module to a control/display means.