Electro-Permanent Magnetic Attachment of a Vehicle to an Object

An apparatus comprising:

• a frame;
• a number of moveable surface-engaging components attached to the frame;
• a number of actuators operable to move the frame with respect to an object when the number of moveable surface-engaging components is in contact with a surface of the object;
• an electro-permanent magnet operable to hold the number of moveable surface-engaging components in contact with the surface of the object by a magnetic force between the electro-permanent magnet and the object when the electro-permanent magnet is activated to generate the magnetic force and the apparatus is on a portion of the object that is ferromagnetic;
• a switching device connected to the electro-permanent magnet and configured to provide electrical power to the electro-permanent magnet, wherein application of the electrical power causes the electro-permanent magnet to selectively change a state of the electro-permanent magnet from activated to deactivated;
• and
• a suction device operable to provide a suction force to hold the number of moveable surface-engaging components in contact with the surface of the object when the suction device is activated.

A method for operating a vehicle on a surface of an object comprising:

• placing the vehicle on the surface of the object, wherein the vehicle comprises a frame, a number of moveable surface-engaging components attached to the frame, a number of actuators, and an electro-permanent magnet;
• activating the electro-permanent magnet to generate a magnetic force to hold the number of moveable surface-engaging components in contact with the surface of the object by the magnetic force between the electro-permanent magnet and a portion of the object that is ferromagnetic, wherein activating the electro-permanent magnet comprises actuating a switching device to direct electrical power to the electro-permanent magnet;
• operating the number of actuators to move the frame with respect to the object when the number of moveable surface-engaging components is held in contact with the surface of the object;
• and
• deactivating the electro-permanent to remove the magnetic force by actuating the switching device to provide the electrical power to the electro-permanent magnet, wherein the electrical power causes the electro-permanent magnet to selectively change a state of the electro-permanent magnet from activated to deactivated.

A method for operating a vehicle on a surface of an object comprising:

• holding the vehicle on the surface of the object, wherein the vehicle comprises a frame, a number of moveable surface-engaging components attached to the frame and held in contact with the surface of the object, a number of actuators, and an electro-permanent magnet;
• operating the number of actuators to move the frame with respect to the object when the number of moveable surface-engaging components are held in contact with the surface of the object;
• and
• activating the electro-permanent magnet to reduce undesired movement of the vehicle by providing eddy current braking when the vehicle is on a portion of the object that is electrically conductive;
• deactivating the electro-permanent magnet to remove the magnetic force by actuating the switching device to provide the electrical power to the electro-permanent magnet, wherein application of the electrical power causes the electro-permanent magnet to selectively change a state of the electro-permanent magnet from activated to deactivated.