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:
Mar. 13, 2007
Filed:
Jun. 29, 2005
John Hugo Stout, Buckeye, AZ (US);
John Hugo Stout, Buckeye, AZ (US);
Arizona Public Service Company, Phoenix, AZ (US);
Abstract
A self-propelled vehicle () for movement within a tubular member () includes propulsion mechanisms () distributed about a core element (). Each of the propulsion mechanisms () includes a drive belt (). A first pulley (), a second pulley (), and a mid-roller assembly () are encompassed by and engage the drive belt (). The mid-roller assembly () is spring-loaded for providing an outwardly-directed force () to an underlying portion () of the drive belt () to press the drive belt () against an inner wall () of the tubular member (). A motor arrangement (), in communication with the propulsion mechanisms (), actuates one of the first and second pulleys () to rotate the drive belt () in contact with the inner wall () of the tubular member () thereby moving the vehicle () within the tubular member ().