Emergency response mobile robot for operations in combustible atmospheres
US5440916A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 15, 1993 |
| Grant date | Aug 15, 1995 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 15, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB25J5/005
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A mobile, self-powered, self-contained, and remote-controlled robot capable of safely operating in a surrounding combustible atmosphere and providing information about the atmosphere to the operator. The robot includes non-sparking and non-arcing electro-mechanical and electronic components designed to preclude igniting the combustible atmosphere, and positively pressurized enclosures that house the electro-mechanical and electronic components of the robot and prevent intrusion of the combustible atmosphere into the enclosures. The enclosures are interconnected such that a pressurized gas injected into any one of the enclosures is routed to all the other enclosures through the interconnections. It is preferred that one or more sealed internal channels through structures intervening between the enclosures be employed. Pressure transducers for detecting if the pressure within the enclosures falls below a pre-determined level are included. The robot also has a sensing device for determining the types of combustible substances in the surrounding atmosphere, as well as the concentrations of each type of substance relative to a pre-determined lower explosive limit (LEL). In addition, the…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.