Electro-permanent magnetic attachment of a vehicle to an object
US9533724B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 17, 2015 |
| Grant date | Jan 3, 2017 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 17, 2035 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S901/01
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An apparatus and method for attaching a crawler vehicle to the surface of an object. The crawler vehicle may comprise a frame, a number of moveable surface-engaging components attached to the frame, a number of actuators, and an electro-permanent magnet. The number of actuators is operable to move the frame with respect to the object when the number of moveable surface-engaging components is in contact with the surface of the object. The electro-permanent magnet is operable to hold the number of moveable surface-engaging components in contact with the surface of the object by a magnetic force between the electro-permanent magnet and the object when the electro-permanent magnet is activated and to remove the magnetic force when the electro-permanent magnet is deactivated to release the number of moveable surface-engaging components from the surface of the object.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.