The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 19, 2023
Filed:
Dec. 03, 2020
Saudi Arabian Oil Company, Dhahran, SA;
King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, SA;
Fadl Abdellatif, Thuwal, SA;
Abdoulelah Al-Hannabi, Thuwal, SA;
Sahejad Patel, Thuwal, SA;
Mohamed Abdelkader, Thuwal, SA;
Jeff S. Shamma, Thuwal, SA;
SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY, Dhahran, SA;
King Abdullah University Of Science And Technology, Thuwal, SA;
Abstract
A two-wheel compact magnetic crawler vehicle for traversing and inspecting surfaces. The crawler comprises a chassis. Two independently actuated magnetic drive wheels are spaced apart in a lateral direction and mounted to the chassis by a hinged joint enabling each wheel to tilt in response to the surface curvature. A probe wheel is provided at the midpoint between the two drive wheels and laterally in line therewith. A spring-assisted probe carrier passively moves the probe wheel vertically relative to the chassis in response to changes in the surface curvature. Additionally, the vehicle includes a probe angle normalization mechanism comprising spring-loaded, vertically moveable, ball casters positioned symmetrically about the probe wheel. The combined utilization of the probe carrier and the caster carrier passively maintain the probe contacting the surface, the chassis level, and the probe normal to the surface irrespective of changes in the surface curvature with vehicle movement.