Hybrid exploration and inspection robot
AssigneeArizona Board of Regents on Behalf of the University of Arizona
InventorsParviz E. Nakravesh, Sahand Sabet
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Abstract
The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods too of implementing a hybrid robotic system capable of reversibly transitioning producing propulsion units may be coupled to the payload platform. In a first position, the payload platform may be positioned such that the thrust-producing propulsion units generate a substantially horizontal thrust to provide horizontal movement of the robotic system. In a second position, the payload platform may be positioned such that the thrust-producing propulsion units generate a substantially vertical thrust to provide vertical movement of the robotic system.
Claims8
A robotic system comprising:
- an external skeleton;
- a gimbal disposed at least partially within the external skeleton;
- a payload member disposed in the interior space of the gimbal and operably coupled to the gimbal;
- at least one propulsion unit physically coupled to the payload member and disposed within the gimbal;
- and
- at least one mass disposed within the gimbal, the at least one mass controllably displaceable along at least one of three orthogonal axes;
- wherein the external skeleton comprises a spherical external skeleton;
- wherein the gimbal comprises a three-axis gimbal disposed at least partially within the spherical external skeleton,
- further comprising:
- a flywheel operably coupled to the payload member;
- wherein the at least one propulsion unit comprises at least one axial flow fan having an axis of rotation, the at least one axial flow fan operably coupled to the payload member;
- and wherein the at least one mass comprises a first mass selectively displaceable along at least a portion of a length of each of three orthogonal members disposed within the three-axis gimbal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.