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:
Jul. 16, 2013
Filed:
Oct. 24, 2011
Robert Todd Pack, Nashua, NH (US);
Tyson Sawyer, Rindge, NH (US);
Chikyung Won, Tewksbury, MA (US);
Grinnell More, Temple, NH (US);
Robert Todd Pack, Nashua, NH (US);
Tyson Sawyer, Rindge, NH (US);
Chikyung Won, Tewksbury, MA (US);
Grinnell More, Temple, NH (US);
iRobot Corporation, Bedford, MA (US);
Abstract
A cable handling system mounted to a mobile robot to dispense and retrieve cable at zero tension includes a cable reel drive and a downstream tension roller drive that includes an idler. As a cable passes through the tension roller drive, position along the length of the cable and/or the cable speed is monitored accurately by a sensor attached to the idler. A system controller in communication with the sensor controls the cable reel drive and the tension roller drive for dispensing and retrieving cable downstream of the tension roller drive.