Altec Industries, Inc.

David Lindquist

William Naber

Timothy J Mourlam

Jonathan Westin Sykes

Robert Nichols

Robert Alan Berry

Johnson X Miles

Jordan Desmarais

Andrew W Featherstone

Marques King

Bryn Winger

Timothy M Smiley

Connor Tripp

Cole Schlup

Sebastian Orellana

Systems and methods for cooperative aerial robotics for working in an aerial work environment. In some embodiments, a robot system may comprise a robot unit comprising high-dexterity manipulators for performing high-dexterity work. The robot system may further comprise a high-capacity manipulator for performing high-capacity work. The robot system may comprise a plurality of sensors for detecting the work environment and providing a representative work environment to an operator and/or a controller for operation of the robot system to complete the aerial work. The robot system may be remotely operated by an operator, automatically, and/or autonomously. The robot system may be disposed at the top of a boom of an aerial device for performing work in high-voltage areas.

Cooperative high-capacity and high-dexterity manipulators

Systems and methods for providing a virtual reality interface operable to control a robot system by an operator are disclosed. In some embodiments, the robot system is provided on a boom of an aerial device. The robot system is operable to carry out instructions for performing work-related tasks in a work environment. An operator may interact with a virtual reality system providing the virtual reality interface to operate the robot system. The virtual reality interface may provide various menus and icon features that, when selected, cause display of menus and functions of the virtual reality interface. The virtual reality interface may provide a list of tasks to be performed and instructions to perform those tasks. In some embodiments, the icon features are presented based on the tasks to be performed and selection of the icon features initiates automated actions of the robot system to perform certain tasks.

Intuitive virtual reality interface for controlling robots

An aerial device for operating on energized powerlines is disclosed. The aerial device may have a boom assembly with a lower, electrically non-insulating boom section coupled to an upper, electrically insulating boom section. The lower and upper boom sections may be coupled by a pinned connection that utilizes structural collars and structural pins to handle loads applied to the upper boom section. The upper boom section may articulate relative to the lower boom section using a 4-bar mechanism employing a split pivot pin that enables a greater range of motion for the articulation. A modular sled that can be coupled to various boom assemblies is also disclosed.

Aerial device

Systems and methods for performing a task in an aerial work environment by a robot system are described herein. An aerial robot system may be provided at a boom tip of an aerial device for performing work on aerial power/telecommunication systems. The aerial robot system may comprise manipulators including one or more robot unit manipulators and one or more auxiliary arms provided in a side-by-side configuration. The side-by-side configuration reduces a vertical profile of the aerial robot system over standard systems providing methods for accessing all points on standard aerial work environments. Furthermore, the aerial robot system may be configured to provide all necessary tools and replacements parts as well as storage for removal of parts in the aerial work environment. Aerial tasks may be performed by an operator, autonomously, or a combination of manual and autonomous.

Aerial robotic systems

Disclosed embodiments provide a cross-arm phase-lifter for lifting and maneuvering a utility pole cross-arm without the need to remove the energized power lines from the cross-arm. A first embodiment of the cross-arm phase-lifter may comprise a set of clamps, clamping members, and actuators. When the actuators are driven, the clamping members may secure the clamps onto the cross-arm. Once the clamps are secured, the cross-arm may be lifted and suspended in air. A second embodiment may comprise a lifting plate comprising a plurality of pegs configured to interface with brackets on the cross-arm. When the pegs are engaged with the brackets, the cross-arm may be lifted and suspended in air.

Cross-arm phase-lifter

Systems and methods for performing a task in an operation environment of an aerial device with an autonomous or semi-autonomous robot are described. In some embodiments, a robot is disposed at an end of a boom of an aerial device. The robot may comprise cameras, actuators, sensors, processors, and manipulators that work together to perform tasks fully autonomously or semi-autonomously. Furthermore, the robot may comprise tools for performing the tasks and computer-executable instructions for performing the tasks may be based on the various sensory inputs, the tools, and the tasks to be performed.

Autonomous and semi-autonomous control of aerial robotic systems

A system, method, and device for a remotely controlled robot unit affixed to a boom assembly. The robot unit comprises at least one arm for performing an action, a remotely controlled movable six-degree-of freedom camera mount, at least one camera disposed on the camera mount to capture visual information, and at least one depth camera disposed on the camera mount to capture three-dimensional depth information. Captured sensory information may be transmitted to an operator using a head mount and motion controls for controlling movement of the robot unit. Operator movement captured by the head mount and motion controls may be compared to a digital representation generated from the three-dimensional depth information to aid in positioning and moving the robot unit.

Manual operation of a remote robot assembly

Systems and methods for tensioning an electrical cable adapted to be manipulated by one or more remotely operated robotic appendages. Tensioners mounted to a rigid object configured to adjust the tension of a connecting line attached to an electrical cable such that the tension of the connecting line is applied to a length of the electrical cable such that another portion of the electrical cable becomes slack, thereby allowing one or more robotic appendages to remove, replace, repair, or conduct any alteration or modification to said electrical cable or to a rigid object that supports the electrical cable.

Wire tensioning system

Systems and methods for establishing and maintaining an electrical bonding connection between remotely operated equipment and an energized power line using one or more robotic arms disposed on the remotely operated equipment. Sensory information is communicated to an operator at a remote location across a dielectric gap to maintain electrical isolation of the remotely operated equipment.

Growing community of inventors

Cameron, MO, United States of America

David Lindquist