Method and apparatus for the exchange of batteries in a robot located in an automated library
AssigneeInternational Business Machines Corporation
InventorsDiana J. Hellman, Michael P. McIntosh, Daniel S. Moore
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus and a method for the exchange of power-supplied batteries which are arranged in a media-conveying untethered robot which is located in an automated data-storage library.
Claims19
An apparatus for exchanging rechargeable batteries in a media conveying robot located in an automated data-storage library;
- comprising:
- at least one battery-charging cell in said library for selectively storing charged batteries and for charging drained batteries;
- said robot containing at least one battery for supplying operating power to said robot;
- and first gripper structure on said robot for replacing said at least one battery in said robot upon being drained, and second gripper structure on said robot for retrieving a charged battery from said at least one battery charging cell in said library and conveying said charged battery to said robot.
A method of exchanging rechargeable batteries in a media conveying robot located in an automated data-storage libraiy, said method comprising:
- providing at least one battery-charging cell in said library for selectively storing charged batteries and for charging drained batteries;
- equipping said robot with at least one battery for supplying operating power to said robot;
- and providing first gripper structure on said robot for replacing said at least one battery in said robot upon being drained, and second gripper structure on said robot for retrieving a charged battery from said at least one battery charging cell in said library and conveying said charged batter to said robot.
An automated data-storage library incorporating an apparatus for exchanging rechargeable batteries in a media conveying robot located in said automated data-storage library;
- comprising:
- at least one battery-charging cell in said library for selectively storing charged batteries and for charging drained batteries;
- said robot containing at least one battery for supplying operating power to said robot;
- and first gripper structure on said robot for replacing said at least one battery in said robot upon being drained, and a second gripper structure for retrieving a charged battery from said at least one battery charging cell in said library and conveying said charged battery to said robot.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.