Altec Industries, Inc.

Altech Industries, Inc.

William Naber

Timothy J Mourlam

David Lindquist

Robert Nichols

Jonathan Westin Sykes

Aaron B Beck

Westin Sykes

Brian R Graham

Cole Schlup

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

A system and method for providing real-time, sensory information associated with a remote location using a remote capture device and a head-mounted display. In some embodiments, the system comprises a fiber-optic cable to transmit a signal comprising sensory information collected by the remote capture device to the head-mounted display. Further, the remote capture device may be secured onto a boom of an aerial device.

Head mounted display for remote operation of machinery

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

Automatic bond on techniques for remote operations on energized power lines are disclosed. A remote assembly may comprise a robot unit and a jib. The jib may have an end effector at a distal end, a proximal end coupled to the robot unit, and an insulating section between the distal end and the proximal end. The end effector may couple to the energized power line, and the insulating section may electrically isolate the robot unit from the energized power line. An actuator at the proximal end may be selectively actuatable to electrically connect to the end effector, thereby electrically bonding the robot unit to the energized power lines to enable operations on energized power line components. The jib may toggle the robot unit between the electrically bonded and grounded or floating states to allow the robot unit to operate on both grounded and energized components.

Automatic bond on to energized power line for remote operations

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

An aerial device for operating on energized powerlines is disclosed. Embodiments of the current disclosure relate to a slew drive system for an aerial device. In some embodiments, the slew drive system provides leveling and jerk mitigation to an aerial platform of the aerial device. Various sensors may be disposed on an aerial device boom, on the slew drive, and on the aerial platform, for obtaining data indicative of a state of the aerial device. The data indicative of the state of the aerial device may be used to control the slew drive with various hydraulic valves and motors to level the aerial platform and mitigate/eliminate jerk. The systems and methods described herein provide a comfortable riding experience for aerial line workers in the aerial platform and maintain a level state of the aerial platform across a wide range of boom angles including at extreme ends of the boom assembly.

Slew drive system for aerial platform leveling

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.

Operation and insulation techniques

An environmental alert system and method for an aerial device including a boom having both insulative and conductive members is disclosed. Temperature, moisture, and humidity sensors are employed on both sides of a location that the boom transitions from being constructed of metal to a dielectric. If environmental data is received indicating the possibility of breakdown in dielectric integrity of the insulative portion due to environmental conditions, warnings are issued to operators.

Environmental alert system for aerial device

A dielectric alert system and method for an aerial device including a boom having both insulative and conductive members is disclosed. Specifically, an ion-density detection system measures the potential for a dielectric breakdown in the environment of an insulative aerial system. The ion-density detection device can be a UV sensor or a UV camera. If data is received indicating the possibility of dielectric breakdown of the insulative portion, warnings are issued to an operator, crew, or any other interested party.

Growing community of inventors

Saint Joseph, MO, United States of America

William Naber