Compact magnetic crawler vehicle with anti-rocking supports
US11021198B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 8, 2019 |
| Grant date | Jun 1, 2021 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 31, 2039 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N29/34
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A robotic vehicle for traversing surfaces is provided. The vehicle is comprised of a chassis supporting a magnetic drive wheel for driving and steering the vehicle and a stabilization mechanism. The magnetic wheel comprises two flux concentrator yokes and an axially magnetized hub extending therebetween. The hub includes a central housing configured to house a sensor probe and enhance the magnetic pull force of the wheel by providing a continuous pathway of high magnetic permeability material for magnetic flux to flow axially through the drive wheel. The stabilization mechanism comprises a front and rear facing support element moveably coupled to the chassis and configured to contact the surface and move symmetrically relative to the chassis thereby maintaining the vehicle and probe normal to the surface and providing stability to the vehicle while traversing surfaces regardless of surface curvature and vehicle orientation.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.