Amphibious robot devices and related methods
AssigneeNekton Research LLC
InventorsBrett W. Hobson, Mathieu Kemp, Ryan Moody, Charles A. Pell, Frederick Vosburgh
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Devices for navigating in a fluid medium having a solid boundary include a vehicle body and a fin attached to the vehicle body. The fin is configured to oscillate relative to the body such that interaction between the fin and the fluid medium produces propulsive forces that propel the vehicle body in a desired direction in the fluid medium. The fin is also configured to rotate relative to the body along a transverse axis such that engagement between the fin and the solid boundary propels the vehicle body in a desired direction on the solid boundary.
Claims52
A device for navigating in a fluid medium having a solid boundary, the device comprising:
- a vehicle body;
- and
- a fin attached to the vehicle body, wherein the fin is configured to oscillate relative to the body such that interaction between the fin and the fluid medium produces propulsive forces that propel the vehicle body in a desired direction in the fluid medium, and wherein the fin is also configured to rotate relative to the body along a transverse axis such that engagement between the fin and the solid boundary propels the vehicle body in a desired direction on the solid boundary.
A device for navigating in a fluid medium having a solid boundary, the device comprising:
- a vehicle body;
- a fin attached to the vehicle body, wherein the fin comprises:
- a flexible portion having an elongated shaft therein;
- and
- a rigid tine coupled to the shaft, wherein the flexible portion is movable from a first position adjacent the tine and a second position extended away from the tine such that the tine is exposed.
A method of navigating a device in a fluid medium having a solid boundary, the method comprising:
- releasing a device to a fluid medium, the device comprising:
- a vehicle body;
- a fin attached to the vehicle body;
- and
- a controller for controlling and/or driving the fin;
- moving the fin with the controller such that interaction between the fin and the fluid medium produces propulsive forces that propel the vehicle body in a desired direction in the fluid medium;
- propelling the device to a solid boundary of the fluid medium;
- and
- moving the fin with the controller such that engagement between the fin and the solid boundary propels the vehicle body in a desired direction on the solid boundary to a predetermined location.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.