multi-functional FOD-cleaning machine

Abstract

The FODBot consists of a primary power source, a fan for creating suction, a suction nozzle for picking up FOD from flat areas and depressions in the flat areas, a horizontal brush for moving FOD to the suction nozzle and a cup brush with deformable linkage that can adjust to vertical surfaces and move FOD from the edge of these surfaces to the suction nozzle. The FOD removal machine also contains FOD sensors, position sensors and an algorithm and computer to create a digital twin of all acquired FOD by building a database of the FOD's type, location and time of cleaning.

Claims

1. A multi-functional FOD removal machine for cleaning FOD from a surface of the ramps plus areas consisting of: a power supply, a suction chamber with fan, a suction nozzle, a horizontal brush, configured to move FOD along the surface to the suction nozzle, and a cup brush, configured to move FOD along the surface to the suction nozzle.

2. A multi-functional FOD removal machine for cleaning FOD from ramps plus areas according to claim 1 in which the cup brush is mounted on a one degree of freedom linkage that can deflect around objects during operation without interruption of the sweeping process.

3. A multi-functional FOD removal machine for cleaning FOD from ramps plus areas according to claim 1 further having a magnet bar.

4. A FOD cleaning machine consisting of a cup brush with the cup brush mounted on a one degree of freedom linkage that can deflect around objects during operation without interruption of the sweeping process.

5. A FOD cleaning machine consisting of a cup brush with the cup brush mounted on a one degree of freedom linkage according to claim 4 further having a spring and a stopper that will return the cup brush and the one degree of freedom linkage to a preferred location after deflecting around an object without interruption of the sweeping process.

6. A multi-functional FOD removal machine for cleaning FOD from ramps plus areas according to claim 1 which includes a FOD sensor between the suction nozzle and the suction chamber with fan, a FOD identification algorithm, a FOD logging entry combining location, time, FOD type to create a FOD digital twin.

7. A multi-functional FOD removal machine for cleaning FOD from ramps plus areas according to claim 6 in which the sensor consists of optical sensors.

8. A multi-functional FOD removal machine for cleaning FOD from ramps plus areas according to claim 6 in which the FOD removal machine acquires location from GPS coordinates and includes the position information on the FOD digital twin

9. A multi-functional FOD removal machine for cleaning FOD from ramps plus areas according to claim 1 in which the FOD removal machine operates in autonomous (unmanned) operation using GPS and localization and path planning algorithms.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0011] FIG. 1: shows an overview the FODBot and primary components

[0012] FIG. 2: shows an overview the FODBot and primary components side view

[0013] FIG. 3: shows an overview the FODBot and primary components off hand side view

[0014] FIG. 4: shows the suction chamber details

[0015] FIG. 5: shows the cup brush details

[0016] FIG. 6: shows the suction nozzle

[0017] FIG. 7: shows the FODBot components for sensing FOD, measuring position and creating data base of acquired FOD and location