The present invention relates to an apparatus for cleaning a surface, in particular at solar collectors or photovoltaic installations. The apparatus has at least one cleaning head that comprises at least one cleaning member. The cleaning member is in particular a brush that can be set into rotation. The apparatus furthermore has a movement device for moving the cleaning head over at least a part of the surface to be cleaned. The movement device has a first movement unit movable in a first direction and a second movement unit. The cleaning head is movable transversely or obliquely to the first movement direction by means of the second movement unit along a guide means that is connected to the first movement unit. A control means that is arranged at the first and/or second movement units makes it possible to automatically move the first movement unit in dependence on a position of the second movement unit.

A positioning device includes a planar surface, a mobile platform configured to slide along the planar surface and cables for positioning and moving the mobile platform along the planar surface. The mobile platform includes a planar bearing system located at the side of the mobile platform configured to slide along the planar surface. The planar bearing system includes a component for pushing the mobile platform against the planar surface; and a component for allowing sliding of the planar bearing system with respect to the planar surface.

Disclosed is a cable-driven parallel robot capable of changing a workspace, in which the cable-driven parallel robot is provided with an end effector having a plurality of modules that can efficiently move to upper and side parts of an object without interference. Module-direction changing standby stations are provided on each of opposing sides of an upper frame such that the modules of the end effector are coupled to the module-direction changing standby station for direction change standby, so that the modules can efficiently move to upper and side parts of the workspace without interference, thereby maximizing work efficiency. To this end, there is provided a cable-driven parallel robot including: an installation frame, and upper and side frames; a plurality of driving units; a plurality of cables; the module-direction changing standby station; and an end effector provided with a plurality of modules.

The present invention refers to an automated painting system on oil ships, being executed by a mobile platform and an oscillating arm. The assembly only works due to the control of cables, winders and wheels. This approach is aimed at painting large vertical walls. The painting deck suspension uses four cables, each connected to a pivot on the mobile platform, and two fixed pivots plus four winders. The winders contain a servo motor in a synchronous serial network. The cables are made of reduced-weight polyethylene. Each cable is connected exclusively to one winder. Suspension is achieved with the aid of two adapted cranes and initialization through the addition of a giraffe-type crane.

A cable-driven robot exhibits a base structure, a movable operating element, and a plurality of cables each having a first end fixed to the movable operating element. The robot includes a plurality of movement units for the cables, at least one having a frame hinged to the base structure pivotingly about a vertical hinge axis and further having a motor mounted on the frame and comprising a rotation shaft. The one movement unit further includes at least one pulley mounted rotatably on the frame so as to be connected to the motor rotation shaft. The pulley has a fixing point in which a second end of one of the cables is fixed and has a groove conformed and dimensioned so as to accommodate and receive, internally thereof, only a winding portion of the cable comprising a series of winding turns that are concentric and overlapping one another.

Cable-driven robotic platform systems and methods of operation are disclosed. The system includes a robotic platform suspended by a system of overhead cables, motorized cable reels and pulleys. A master control computer coordinates operation of the motorized cable system as a function of sensor data captured by navigation sensors on-board the platform so as to move the robotic platform inside an industrial plant. The system is configured to maneuver around pipings and avoid obstacles in the plant in order to maximize the effective workspace that the robotic platform can reach to perform operations including inspection or repair. Additionally, a robotic “wire jacket” device can be attached to suspension cables and configured to crawl along a cable. The wire-jacket can be selectively positioned on a cable to provide an intermediate cable suspension point that improves platform mobility within congested spaces and avoids obstacles.

A machine for producing sanitary articles includes a plurality of processing stations including automated apparatus for forming sanitary articles which advance along a machine direction. The machine includes a multi-axis industrial robot arranged to automatically clean and/or inspect the automated apparatus of the processing stations. The machine has a positive impact on sustainability.

An example device for building stationary structures on a work surface includes a scaffold, which is arranged around the work surface. In the example, a working head is provided, which, with the help of multiple control cables is held on the scaffold and arranged above the work surface, upper control cables are provided, which run above the working head from the scaffold, lower control cables are provided, which run below the working head from the scaffold, all control cables can be extended out of the scaffold and retracted to the scaffold, in order to change a position of the working head, and a control unit is provided, which is connected with actuators for the extending and retracting of the control cables, and is configured to actuate these actuators to change the position of the working head.

An aerial movement system and method for calibrating same includes, generally, registration points and wireless position transceivers proximate the registration points and the object that communicate with a computer and allow for the computer to determine the appropriate amount of support lines to draw in or release.

A tensioning set comprises an output member. A magnetorheological fluid clutch apparatus is configured to receive a degree of actuation (DOA) and connected to the output member, the magnetorheological fluid clutch apparatus being actuatable to selectively transmit the received DOA through the output member by controlled slippage. A tensioning member is connected to the output member so as to be pulled by the output member upon actuation of the magnetorheological fluid clutch apparatus, a free end of the tensioning member adapted to exert a pulling action transmitted to an output when being pulled by the output member. The tensioning set, or a comparable compressing set, may be used in systems and robotic arms. A method for controlling movements of an output driven by the tensioning set or compressing set is also provided.