Unmanned rail vehicle

US11465653B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• ABB Schweiz AG · CH

Inventors

• Harald Staab · Peising, DE
• William J. Eakins · Bloomfield, US
• Daniel T. Lasko · Bloomfield, US
• Thomas A. Fuhlbrigge · Ellington, US
• Edward Zhang · Sunnyvale, US
• Harshang Shah · Bloomfield, US
• Stefan Rakuff · Clifton Park, US
• Gregory A. Cole · Town of West Hartford, US
• Gregory F. Rossano · Enfield, US
• Andrew Salm · Town of West Hartford, US
• Sang Choi · Simsbury, US
• Remus Boca · Simsbury, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 8, 2017
• Grant date: Oct 11, 2022
• Expiry date: Apr 14, 2039

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02T30/00
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

An unmanned rail vehicle for surveillance, inspection, and/or maintenance of an industrial site is provided. The rail vehicle includes at least two carry rollers adapted for engaging on an upper rail side of a rail, wherein the center of gravity of the rail vehicle is vertically below the upper rail side; and at least one support roller connected to the chassis and adapted for rolling against a lateral rail side of the rail to laterally displace the center of gravity of the rail vehicle with respect to the upper rail side.