Rover systems, devices, and methods for payload positioning
OwnerFaizan REHMATULLAH, John Douglas LYMER +4inventors
InventorsFaizan REHMATULLAH, John Douglas LYMER, Andrew Charles MacKenzie ALLEN, Devan Lewis WAGNER, Nicolas Alejandro OLMEDO CASTRO, William WATSON
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Abstract
Provided is a system, method and device for payload positioning. The system includes a rover configured to travel to a site and hold the payload, a sensor module attached to the rover for obtaining sensor data of the site, a robotic arm for equipping and stowing away the sensor module, attaching to a connection point of the payload, and controlling a position of the payload when attached to the connection point.
Claims20
A system for positioning a payload, the system comprising:
- a rover configured to travel to a site and hold the payload;
- a sensor module attached to the rover for obtaining sensor data of the site;
- and
- a robotic arm for:
- equipping and stowing away the sensor module;
- attaching to a connection point of the payload;
- and
- controlling a position of the payload when attached to the connection point.
A method for berthing a cargo module to a habitat on a surface, the method comprising:
- arriving at the habitat by a robotic system, wherein the cargo module is coupled to the robotic system;
- attaching a sensor module to a robotic arm of the robotic system;
- acquiring a pose of the habitat using the sensor module;
- moving the robotic system into a capture envelope of the habitat based on the pose of the habitat;
- stowing away the sensor module;
- grappling the cargo module with the robotic arm at a connection point of the cargo module;
- deploying legs of the cargo module, wherein the legs are configured to support the cargo module on the surface;
- releasing the cargo module at the connection point;
- and
- inspecting alignment of the cargo module and the habitat.
A method for acquiring a cargo payload, the method comprising:
- arriving at the cargo payload by a robotic system;
- attaching a sensor module to a robotic arm of the robotic system;
- acquiring a pose of the cargo payload using the sensor module;
- moving the robotic system into a capture envelope of the cargo payload based on the pose of the cargo payload;
- stowing away the sensor module;
- grappling the cargo module with the robotic arm at a connection point of the cargo module;
- and
- lowering the cargo module onto the robotic system.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.