Wheels with controllable suction devices for adhesion on surfaces

A wheel, comprising:

• an axle;
• an outer circumferential surface having a plurality of slots, a plurality of activator switches, a plurality of apertures and a plurality of stretchable materials, wherein each activator switch extends through a respective slot, wherein each aperture has a respective stretchable material therein, wherein a portion of the outer circumferential surface is adjacent to a surface of a structure;
• an inner sleeve;
• a bracket coupling the outer circumferential surface and the inner sleeve to the axle;
• a plurality of springs coupled to the inner sleeve, wherein each spring extends in a direction radial to the axle;
• and
• a plurality of bars each coupled to a respective spring, and each coupled to a stretchable material,
• wherein a first aperture of the plurality of apertures and a respective first stretchable material of the plurality of stretchable materials are adjacent to the surface of the structure, and
• wherein rotation of the outer circumferential surface causes a first activator switch to be disposed adjacent to the surface of the structure, to control the first activator switch to move into or out of a first respective slot, to move a respective first bar in a direction radial to the axle, and to move a portion of the first stretchable material in the direction radial to the axle, thereby controlling adhesion of the portion of the outer circumferential surface to the surface of the structure.

A method, comprising:

• providing a wheel with an axle and an outer circumferential surface having a plurality of apertures and a plurality of stretchable materials, wherein each aperture has a respective stretchable material therein;
• rotating the wheel to move a first stretchable material adjacent to a surface of a structure;
• and
• moving a portion of the first stretchable material in the direction radial to the axle, thereby controlling adhesion of a portion of the outer circumferential surface to the surface of the structure.