Patent · US Expired

Self-propelled vehicle

US4244296A · kind A · utility

34Cited by
5References
15Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 15, 1978
Grant dateJan 13, 1981
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 15, 1998

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02E30/30
  • WIPO fieldMechanical elements
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

Self-propelled vehicle with articulated arms able to move in a tube or in a laminar space defined between two approximately parallel surfaces. It comprises a body equipped with at least one driving and guide wheel which bears on a surface on which the vehicle moves and at least two pivoting arms articulated on the body and terminated by bearing members which slide or roll on a surface facing and opposite to the first surface. It also comprises a device which transmits a pivoting torque to the arms in such a way that said arms bear on said opposite surface and by reaction apply the driving wheel against the first surface. A particular application is to the inspection of pipes within a nuclear installation in a radioactive atmosphere.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.