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:
Nov. 15, 1994
Filed:
May. 14, 1993
Hagen Schempf, Pittsburgh, PA (US);
Brian Albrecht, Pittsburgh, PA (US);
Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA (US);
Abstract
A reconfigurable mobile vehicle having at least one endless driven member and a motor for driving the endless member on a surface capable of supporting a magnetic circuit. The vehicle is equipped with a magnetic system that comprises a magnet, a fixed magnetic circuit member, and a movable magnetic circuit member for establishing first and second magnetic circuits. A clutch is provided to selectively connect the movable magnetic circuit member to the motor to move the movable magnetic circuit member between a first position wherein the first magnetic circuit is established such that the endless driven member can magnetically engage the surface and a second position wherein the second magnetic circuit is established such that the endless member does not magnetically engage the surface. The vehicle is equipped with sensing apparatuses for analyzing the structural integrity of the surface upon which the vehicle is riding and is also equipped with acoustical positioning apparatus for assisting the operating personnel and computer in locating and controlling the vehicle's position within an enclosed environment. The vehicle is also equipped with a tether line that is used to facilitate the transfer of control power/data between the vehicle and the various operating components attached thereto and a control console located remote from the vehicle. The tether line is also used to deploy and retrieve the vehicle.