Robot for maneuvering through a viscous mixture
AssigneeApplied Impact Robotics, Inc
InventorsFred Melvelle Briggs, Brandon Pollett Wernick
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Various aspects include a robot and method of using the robot, which includes a chassis and a forward propulsion auger. The chassis may include a forward section a rear section; and a maneuvering gimbal. The forward propulsion auger may be positioned on a leading end of the forward section and coupled to a first drive motor. The forward propulsion auger may include at least one fluid nozzle configured to eject a fluid therefrom.
Claims20
A robot for maneuvering through a viscous mixture, comprising:
- a chassis comprising a forward section and a rear section;
- a forward propulsion auger positioned on the forward section of the chassis and coupled to a first drive motor;
- at least one fluid nozzle configured to eject a fluid therefrom into the viscous mixture adjacent to at least one of the chassis or the forward propulsion auger;
- and
- a maneuvering gimbal configured to pivot the forward and rear sections of the chassis.
A method of maneuvering a robot through a viscous mixture, in which the robot includes a chassis and a forward propulsion auger positioned on a forward section of the chassis and coupled to a first drive motor, the method comprising:
- placing the robot in or near the viscous mixture;
- pumping a fluid through at least one fluid nozzle into the viscous mixture adjacent to at least one of the chassis or the forward propulsion auger;
- activating a drive motor configured to rotate the forward propulsion auger to propel the robot through the viscous mixture;
- and
- activating a maneuvering gimbal to pivot the forward and rear sections of the chassis about a pivot axis of the maneuvering gimbal to perform a turn maneuver.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.