Patent · US Expired

Communications spooler for a mobile robot

US7331436B1 · kind B1 · utility

96Cited by
13References
13Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 26, 2004
Grant dateFeb 19, 2008
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 27, 2024

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
  • CPC primaryF42B15/04
  • WIPO fieldHandling
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A cable handling system mounted to a mobile robot to dispense and retrieve cable at zero tension includes a cable reel drive and a downstream tension roller drive that includes an idler. As a cable passes through the tension roller drive, position along the length of the cable and/or the cable speed is monitored accurately by a sensor attached to the idler. A system controller in communication with the sensor controls the cable reel drive and the tension roller drive for dispensing and retrieving cable downstream of the tension roller drive.

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