Patent US4085808A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4085808A
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Self-driving and self-locking device for traversing channels and elongated structures
Assignee: LATIMER NV DE RUTYERKADE 62 CURACAO NETHERLANDS ANTILLES
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Filing: 1977-01-28
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Granted: 1978-04-25
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Expires: 1997-01-28
Abstract
Abstract A self-driving and self-locking device for traversing the inner walls of channels enclosed on all sides, or for traversing the outer casing of structures with a substantially constant cross-section over their lengths, and for affixing itself thereon, which includes a frame, propulsive elements disposed on said frame and at least one drive means for said propulsive elements to produce movement in the desired direction of movement of said device, said propulsive elements being distributed about the outer or inner circumference relative to a longitudinal axis coinciding substantially with the direction of forward movement and adjustable with respect to the longitudinal axis in a substantially radial direction relative to said frame to adapt to the contact surfaces in the channel or on the elongated structure.
Inventors
- 👤 Miguel Kling
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 09:11
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B17/00; E21B17/10; E21B17/1057; E21B23/00; E21B23/001; E21B31/00; E21B31/12; E21B31/18; E21B4/00; E21B4/18; G; G01; G01M; G01M3/00; G01M3/005; H; H02; H02G; H02G1/00; H02G1/06; H02G1/08; H02G1/088
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 33
Claim 1
Independent Claim
123 words
A self-driving and self-locking device for traversing the inner walls of channels enclosed on all sides, or for traversing the outer casing of structures with a substantially constant cross-section over their lengths, and for affixing itself thereon, comprising a frame, propulsive elements disposed on said frame and individual drive means for each of said propulsive elements to produce movement in the desired direction of movement of said device, said propulsive elements being distributed about the outer or inner circumference relative to a longitudinal axis coinciding substantially with the direction of forward movement and adjustable with respect to the longitudinal axis in a substantially radial direction relative to said frame to adapt to the contact surfaces in the channel or on the elongated structure.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
123 words
A self-driving and self-locking device for traversing the inner walls of channels enclosed on all sides, or for traversing the outer casing of structures with a substantially constant cross-section over their lengths, and for affixing itself thereon, comprising a frame, propulsive elements disposed on said frame and individual drive means for each of said propulsive elements to produce movement in the desired direction of movement of said device, said propulsive elements being distributed about the outer or inner circumference relative to a longitudinal axis coinciding substantially with the direction of forward movement and adjustable with respect to the longitudinal axis in a substantially radial direction relative to said frame to adapt to the contact surfaces in the channel or on the elongated structure.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device according to claim 1, wherein each propulsive element is a roller-guided endless rotating element.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device according to claim 1, wherein each propulsive element is a wheel or cylinder.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The device according to claim 2, wherein said drive means is an electromotor and at least one roller of each propulsive element is driven by said electromotor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device according to claim 3, wherein said drive means is an electromotor and each wheel or cylinder is driven by said electromotor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device according to claim 4, wherein said driven roller is designed as the rotor of an electromotor.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device according to claim 5, wherein each driven wheel is designed as the rotor of an electromotor.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
42 words
The device according to claim 6, wherein each roller designed as the rotor of an electromotor supports on its front ends permanent magnetic poles and each frame has mounted thereon stators with poles supplied with current which coact with said magnetic poles.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
42 words
The device according to claim 7, wherein each wheel designed as the rotor of an electromotor supports on its front ends permanent magnetic poles and each frame has mounted thereon stators with poles supplied with current which coact with said magnetic poles.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
The device according to claim 1, including a positioning device which radially urges the propulsive element onto the respective contact surface of the inner channel wall or the outer wall of the elongated structure.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device according to claim 10, wherein each positioning device is designed as a compression spring device.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device according to claim 10, wherein each positioning device is designed as an electromechanical device.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device according to claim 10, wherein each positioning device is designed as a pneumatic device.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device according to claim 10, wherein each positioning device is designed as a hydraulic device.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device according to claim 7, wherein the positioning device can be locked in place in any desired position.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
43 words
The device according to claim 1, including work devices connected to said frame, said propulsive elements being disposed on the outer circumference of the frame and that said frame is connected with said work devices which are advanceable by means of said device.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device according to claim 16, wherein the work device is a drilling device.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device according to claim 17, wherein said drilling device is disposed on the front end of the frame in the direction of movement.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device according to claim 17, wherein drilling devices are arranged on both ends of the frame.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
34 words
The device according to claim 10, including means on said frame for supporting and for advancing a drilling device in the direction of the borehole channel to which a drilling device can be secured.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device according to claim 20, wherein said means are a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder-plunger unit.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
34 words
The device according to claim 20, wherein said means are a toothed rack driven by means of pinions which are mounted in the frame and which are driven via electromotors located in said frame.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
36 words
The device according to claim 10 defining a central channel and including guiding and transport elements which project into said channel, said transport elements being mounted on said frame and distributed about the channel cross-sectional periphery.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
35 words
The device according to claim 23, including a further drive means for said transport elements to drive them in a direction of movement which extends in the direction of the longitudinal axis of said device.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
30 words
The device according to claim 16, wherein the transport elements are mounted on the frame so that they can be adjusted and fixed in place in a radially inwardly manner.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
42 words
The device according to claim 16, including additional clamping members disposed on the frame which are distributed about the channel cross-sectional periphery and which can be adjusted and fixed in place radially in a direction toward and away from said longitudinal axis.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device according to claim 26, wherein the clamping members are piston plungers.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device according to claim 1, including a support device fixed to the frame for supporting goods to be transported.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device according to claim 1, including a gripping device fixed to the frame for picking up and setting down goods.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device according to claim 1, including a fluid hose attached at one end to said frame.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device according to claim 1, wherein the drive means of the individual propulsive elements can be regulated independently of one another.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device according to claim 1, wherein the frame is designed substantially as a circular-cylindrical tube.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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US2756037A
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US3354969A
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US3326008A
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-04-24 | 1981-10-24 | 1982-04-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-04-24 | 1985-10-24 | 1986-04-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-04-24 | 1989-10-24 | 1990-04-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |