Adhesion devices for transport assemblies to engage non-metallic surfaces

A wheel configured to move adjacent to a non-metallic surface of a structure, comprising:

• an outer circumferential surface disposed adjacent to the non-metallic surface as the wheel moves on the non-metallic surface;
• and
• a plurality of adhesion devices each mounted to the outer circumferential surface and extending at least in a normal direction away from the outer circumferential surface,
• wherein each adhesion device, responsive to proximity to the non-metallic surface, is configured to adhere to the non-metallic surface,
• wherein the plurality of adhesion devices include a Van der Waals-type adhesion device, a micro spine-type adhesion device, and a suction cup-type adhesion device.

A tractor tread assembly configured to move adjacent to a non-metallic surface of a structure, comprising:

• a plurality of wheels;
• a plurality of tractor treads configured to move about the plurality of wheels, each tractor tread having an outer planar surface disposed adjacent to the non-metallic surface as the tractor tread assembly moves;
• and
• a plurality of adhesion devices each mounted to the outer planar surface and extending at least in a normal direction away from the outer planar surface,
• wherein each adhesion device, responsive to proximity to the non-metallic surface, is configured to adhere to the non-metallic surface,
• wherein the plurality of adhesion devices include a Van der Waals-type adhesion device, a micro spine-type adhesion device, and a suction cup-type adhesion device.