Alstom Technology Limited

Wolfgang Fischer

Roland Richard Moser

Roland Siegwart

Markus Wiesendanger

Francesco Mondada

Fabien Tache

Fabien Tâche

Roland Yves Siegwart

Roland Moser

An inspection vehicle () for inspecting an air gap () between the rotor () and the stator () of a generator () includes drive elements () for the independent progressive movement in the air gap (). A particularly compact construction and flexible application is achieved by the drive elements () being formed as elongated, flexionally elastic, torsionally rigid, magnetic rolls.

Inspection vehicle for inspecting an air gap between the rotor and the stator of a generator

A drive unit for a vehicle is provided for use as a robot in pipe systems, cavities or the like. The drive unit includes at least one ring-like outer wheel and at least one driven magnetic wheel. The outer and the magnetic wheels have axes parallel to each other and are arranged eccentrically to one another, and engage one another such that when rotating relative to the outer wheel, the magnetic wheel delineates with its wheel axis a concentric circle lying within the outer wheel. In such a drive unit, stronger magnetic adhesion is enabled by the outer and magnetic wheels being arranged one behind the other in an axial direction. The engagement between the outer and magnetic wheels is effected by a circular, concentric disk connected securely against rotation to the magnetic wheel and rolls with its outer peripheral surface on the inner peripheral surface of the outer wheel.

Drive unit for a vehicle for use as a robot in pipe systems, cavities or the like and a vehicle having same

An automotive device for the inspection of internal spaces having ferromagnetic surfaces includes at least two magnetic wheels () or caterpillars, or at least two magnetic legs for the advancement of the device along the surfaces to be inspected. According to the invention, the device includes actively powered rotating arms () attached to a wheel (), caterpillar, or leg of the device. Each rotating arm () has a length longer than the shortest distance between the point of attachment of the rotating arm to the device and the surface. When the device is in a position, where there is magnetic contact to the surface in two or more points and the device is no longer able to advance due to the strength of the magnetic forces, the rotating arms are brought into non-magnetic contact with the surface in order to create an air gap between the surface and the magnetic wheel and thus reduce the magnetic forces. The device is thereby enabled to overcome the magnetic forces and advance the device along the surface.

Automotive inspection device

Growing community of inventors

Zurich, Switzerland

Wolfgang Fischer