Device capable of suction-adhering to a wall surface and moving therealong

A device capable of adhering by suction to a wall surface by the pressure of an ambient fluid and movable along the wall surface, which device comprises:

• a pressure receiver housing made of a rigid or semi-rigid material having one side open toward the wall surface and the remainder closed;
• a plurality of wheels or endless tracks secured to the housing for contact with the wall surface;
• a partition connected to the pressure receiver housing and extending outwardly therefrom in a direction away from the central axis of the housing which is perpendicular to the wall, said partition having a free end adapted to make contact with the wall surface, at least said free end of said partition being made of a relatively flexible material, the partition contacting the wall surface for forming a substantially fluid-tight low pressure seal together with the wall surface;
• and a means connected to said device for discharging fluid from the space within said partition and said housing;
• at least the free end of said partition being displaceable toward and away from the wall surface with respect to the pressure receiver housing by a relatively small force;
• whereby the free end of the partition is caused to contact the wall surface in substantially fluid-tight engagement by the pressure of the fluid which acts on the surface of the partition facing away from the wall due to the difference in fluid pressure between the inside and outside of the low pressure space, and the fluid pressure acting on the outside of the pressure receiver housing due to the difference in fluid pressure between the inside and outside of the low pressure space is transmitted to the wheels or endless tracks for urging them against the wall surface.