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:
Apr. 24, 2018
Filed:
Jul. 07, 2014
Abb Technology Ag, Zurich, CH;
Thomas Fuhlbridge, Ellington, CT (US);
Harald Josef Staab, Manchester, CT (US);
Gregory Rossano, Enfield, CT (US);
Eduardo Botelho, Osasco, BR;
Thomas Fuhlbrigge, Ellington, CT (US);
George Zhang, Windsor, CT (US);
Sang Choi, Simsbury, CT (US);
Carlos Martinez, New Britain, CT (US);
ABB Schweiz AG, Baden, CH;
Abstract
A method inspects a conveyor () having opposing sides () and a length. The conveyor includes an endless belt () and a plurality of roller structures () disposed in spaced relation along at least a portion of the length of the conveyor and under a top flight () of the belt for supporting the belt while material is being conveyed on the belt. Each roller structure includes at least one roller (') constructed and arranged to rotate about an axis as the belt is conveyed with the material. The method orients an unmanned vehicle (), having sensor structure () thereon, at one side of the conveyor, and causes the vehicle to travel along the portion of the length of the conveyor while the sensor structure obtains data regarding a state of at least a portion of the belt and of rollers of the plurality of roller structures while the conveyor is operating.