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43results about "Wheel attachments" patented technology

Mobile vehicle, method of controlling mobile vehicle, and program

A mobile vehicle includes: a vehicle body unit; a plurality of vehicle wheel parts; a first driving part configured to be connected to the vehicle wheel parts, and be able to rotate the vehicle wheel parts around a first rotation axis as its rotation center in a first rotation direction; a second driving part configured to connect the vehicle body unit and the first driving part, and be able to rotate the vehicle wheel parts and the first driving part around a second rotation axis as its rotation center in a second rotation direction; and a control unit configured to be disposed in the vehicle body unit and be able to control the first driving part and the second driving part. The vehicle wheel part includes a plurality of sub-vehicle wheel parts that are able to rotate in a third rotation direction different from the first rotation direction.
Owner:KK TOSHIBA

Method and arrangement for increasing the contact area of ​​a wheel, wheel, motor vehicle and use

ActiveDE102022201618B4Wheel attachmentsMultiple wheel assembly
Method for increasing the contact area (6) of a wheel (1) with a rim (2) having at least one expandable element (7) in the area of ​​a rim (2) of the wheel (1), wherein the expandable element (7) is brought from a rest state to an expanded state by filling it with a fluid, in which the running surface (10) of the wheel (1) is widened completely, wherein the expandable element (7) is arranged in the rim (2) in such a way that the width of the wheel (1) or of a vehicle equipped therewith is not increased, characterized in that the expandable element (7) comprises a three-dimensional textile support structure.
Owner:AMFD AUTO MOBIL FORSCHUNG DRESDEN GMBH +3

Emergency wheel attachment for vehicle wheels

The present invention provides an emergency wheel attachment (10) for a vehicle wheel (12), the emergency wheel attachment having a substantially annular mounting unit (18) used to attach the emergency wheel attachment to the vehicle wheel and an annular tread unit (20) that contacts the road in an operative state, the mounting unit having at least two retaining claws (22) designed to secure the mounting unit to the rim (14) of the vehicle wheel by engaging rearwardly of a rim flange (26), at least one retaining claw being radially movable to vary its distance from a center point of the mounting unit, the mounting unit having an annular operating element (46) that is rotatable about a rotation axis (A) coincident with the vehicle wheel axis in an operative state of the emergency wheel attachment, the annular operating element (46) rotatable about a rotation axis (A) that coincides with the vehicle wheel axis, the annular operating element (46) translating rotation of the operating element (46) into radial movement of the radially movable retaining claws, and the mounting unit (18) having a drive coupled or coupleable to the operating element (46).
Owner:GV ENGINEERING GMBH

Composite powered wheel set, train, wheel-rail system, and train control method

The present disclosure provides a composite powered wheel set, a train, a wheel-rail system and a train control method. The composite powered wheel set comprises two booster wheels and two support wheels mounted on a driving axle. The booster wheels are fixedly mounted on two ends of the driving axle, the support wheels are mounted on the driving axle via bearings, the moving axle is connected to a first transmission device, which is connected to a first power mechanism, and the driving axle is further connected to a train bogie via a connecting device. Booster wheels and booster rails are provided to improve anti-skid performance, so the train will not skid when running on a steep slope or under a heavy traction load. Restrictions on the railway slope, train traction load, and train speed are eliminated to a great extent, and the application scope of the wheel rails is expanded.
Owner:SOUTHWEST JIAOTONG UNIV

Tire antiskid protection device of tire type loader

ActiveCN223631306UWheel attachmentsControl theoryMechanical engineering
The utility model relates to the technical field of engineering machinery, and discloses a tire anti-skid protection device of a tire type loader, which comprises a mounting limiting component, an anti-skid protection mechanism is arranged on the front surface of the mounting limiting component, the mounting limiting component comprises a mounting circular plate, and a mounting inner ring is fixedly mounted on the inner side of the front surface of the mounting circular plate. First limiting sliding grooves are evenly formed in the front face of the mounting inner ring, connecting plates are evenly and fixedly mounted on the outer wall of the mounting inner ring, a mounting outer ring is fixedly mounted at the ends, away from the mounting inner ring, of the connecting plates, and the back face of the mounting outer ring is fixedly connected with the outer side of the front face of the mounting circular plate. The antiskid protection mechanism runs on the installation limiting assembly to enable the antiskid mechanical legs to extend out of the periphery of the tire, when the tire rotates, the antiskid mechanical legs can be inserted into soil to prevent the tire from slipping, the tire antiskid protection effect of the tire type loader is improved, and accidents caused by tire slipping are avoided.
Owner:BINZHOU RONGFA ROAD & BRIDGE ENGINEERING CO LTD

Wheel-foot robot

PendingCN122059017AMotor depositionWheel attachmentsSimulationLegged robot
The invention relates to a wheel-foot robot. The wheel-foot robot comprises a robot body, two symmetrically-arranged wheel-foot assemblies and at least four driven omnidirectional wheels. Each wheel foot assembly comprises a driving walking wheel driven by a hub motor and a Chebyshev four-connecting-rod mechanism connected with the machine body and the driving walking wheel. And the power input end of the connecting rod mechanism is driven by a hip joint motor arranged on the machine main body. In the walking state, the driving walking wheels and the driven omnidirectional wheels make contact with the ground together, and stable multi-point supporting is formed. When the jumping action is executed, the hip joint motor drives the Chebyshev four-connecting-rod mechanism to guide the driving walking wheel to do approximately linear motion towards the ground so as to complete efficient stepping on the ground. The efficient jumping function is achieved through a simplified single-motor-driven connecting rod structure, the walking stability is enhanced through multi-wheel supporting, and the structural complexity and cost are effectively reduced.
Owner:GUANGZHOU CITY UNIV OF TECH

Tire escape device

PendingCN121105596AWheel attachmentsControl theoryMechanical engineering
The invention discloses a tire escape device, and relates to the technical field of tire escape devices, the tire escape device comprises a fixed disc and a plurality of clamping structures, the plurality of clamping structures are arranged on the fixed disc, the plurality of clamping structures are sequentially arranged along the circumferential direction of the fixed disc, the clamping structures are provided with clamping parts, the clamping parts extend along the thickness direction of the fixed disc, and the clamping parts are arranged on the fixed disc. The clamping parts protrude out of the fixed disc towards the first side of the fixed disc, so that the multiple clamping parts of the multiple clamping structures and the fixed disc jointly define a clamping space used for assembling a tire, and each clamping structure can move in the radial direction of the fixed disc to change the size of the clamping space. The tire is installed in the clamping space, the clamping structure clamps the tire and moves synchronously with the tire, the friction coefficient of the tire can be increased so as to assist the tire to escape, and the tire escape device is simple in structure, can be operated by a single person, does not need assistance and cross-country experience, can achieve rapid tire sinking and escape, and is high in practicability. And the safety and convenience of the vehicle are greatly improved.
Owner:GREAT WALL MOTOR CO LTD

In-station mobile energy storage charging device

The embodiment of the invention provides an in-station mobile energy storage charging device, and relates to the technical field of electric charging. The in-station mobile energy storage charging device comprises a frame, a mobile charging pile host and an anti-skid wheel part. And the mobile charging pile host is mounted above the frame. The four sets of anti-skid wheel parts are installed at the bottom of the frame, the shaft sleeve is fixed to the inner side of the hub, the solid tire is arranged on the outer side of the hub, penetrating openings movably matched with the claw blocks are formed in the outer side of the hub and the outer side of the solid tire, and the pushing assembly is installed on the side of the hub and connected and matched with the buffer to drive the claw blocks to move and adjust in the penetrating openings in the radial direction. The pushing assembly is adjusted to press the claw blocks out of the penetrating opening in the solid tire along the radial position, when the hub drives the solid tire to roll on the icy road surface, the claw blocks directly make contact with the ice surface, the claw blocks can tightly grasp the ice surface, better friction force is brought to the moving charging device, and the energy storage charging device can stably move forwards on the icy road surface.
Owner:LIDA (XUZHOU) NEW ENERGY EQUIPMENT CO LTD

Power transmission device with retractable blades

PCT designated stageWO2025141280A3Wheel attachmentsEndless track vehiclesLow speedPropeller
The invention is a power transmission device such as a wheel or a track which comprises retractable blades or protrusions that can be implemented in order to help propel the vehicle by applying their pressure to a fluid or loose terrain such as sand, snow, mud or earth. The device comprises a so-called regulator means which makes it possible to reduce the range of deployment / retraction of the blades depending on the use of the vehicle and the conditions encountered. The main applications are - land vehicles, wherein the devices according to the invention make it possible to adapt the tread of same in order to save energy at low speed or widen the tread or provide the tread with projecting tread patterns when necessary, and travel through mud or sail over water or in the water; - boats, wherein the devices according to the invention replace the propellers and allow them to travel in shallow waters; - aeroplanes, wherein the devices according to the invention make it possible to rotate the wheels before landing; and - means for using kinetic energy.
Owner:GUIGAN FRANCK

AGV auxiliary wheel device with obstacle crossing ability

The AGV auxiliary wheel device with the obstacle crossing ability comprises an AGV body, an anti-collision beam is installed on the outer wall of one side of the AGV body, a control panel is installed on the portion, above the anti-collision beam, of the outer wall of the AGV body, wheels are rotationally installed at the corners of the bottom end of the AGV body, an electric push rod is installed at the center of the top of the AGV body, and the electric push rod is connected with the AGV body. The input end of the electric push rod is electrically connected with the output end of a single-chip microcomputer in the control panel, a lifting plate is installed at the bottom end of the electric push rod, two connecting plates are fixed to the two sides of the bottom end of the lifting plate correspondingly, part placing bases are fixedly installed at the ends, away from the lifting plate, of the connecting plates correspondingly, and driven gears are rotationally installed at the center positions of the top ends of the part placing bases. And the bottom end of the driven gear penetrates through the part placing seat and is provided with two side connecting frames. According to the auxiliary wheel device, the obstacle crossing performance of the AGV body is improved, the transferring effect of the auxiliary wheel device on the AGV body is guaranteed when the auxiliary wheel device is used, and the using convenience of the auxiliary wheel device is improved.
Owner:NAN TONG DA TA JI XIE KE JI YOU XIAN GONG SI

Boat tractor tire structure with anti-skid capacity

ActiveCN223720551UWheel attachmentsMultiple wheel assemblyControl theoryTractor
The utility model discloses a boat tractor tire structure with anti-skid capacity, which comprises a boat tractor tire mechanism, the boat tractor tire mechanism comprises a first anti-skid tire and a second anti-skid tire, and first through holes are formed in the first anti-skid tire and the second anti-skid tire. The first anti-skid tire and the second anti-skid tire penetrate through the connecting shaft and are fixed through the bolts and the nuts, the tires can be effectively prevented from loosening in the operation process of the boat tractor, and therefore the weight of the boat tractor is better dispersed, the contact area between the boat tractor and the ground is increased, pressure on soil is reduced, and sinking and slipping are avoided.
Owner:HONGAN HONGYOU BOAT TRACTOR CO LTD

Work vehicle

PendingUS20250276732A1Steering linkagesFluid steering
A work vehicle includes a vehicle body including a loading portion that is able to load a load, drive wheels located in front and rear on both right and left sides of the vehicle body and steerable separately, a steering angle detector to detect respective orientations of the drive wheels, and a controller configured or programmed to perform drive control to drive each of the drive wheels and control to change the respective orientations of the drive wheels separately. The controller is configured or programmed such that the respective orientations of a first of the drive wheels located on one of right and left sides of the vehicle body and a second of the drive wheels located on the other of the right and left sides of the vehicle body are different from each other when the drive control is stopped.
Owner:KUBOTA CORP

All terrain rigid wheel

ActiveCN116749688BWheel attachmentsRolling resistance optimizationTire beadGrip force
The application discloses a kind of all-terrain rigid wheel, including wheel hub and tire, tire includes two beads, multiple ground engaging blades and two tread collars, two beads are respectively symmetrical and installed on the circumferential surface of wheel hub;Multiple ground engaging blades are respectively fixed between two beads and are evenly distributed along the circumference;Two tread collars are respectively fixed on the outer circumferential end edge of two beads.The application can provide support and drive to realize passability under the action of tread collar when driving on hard ground, when driving on muddy ground, ground engaging blade is rotated and medium is transferred by sinking into soft medium, so as to obtain advancing power, can obtain gripping force when gravel, climbing, large driving demand obstacle, realize obstacle and large friction resistance, guarantee escape function, the application simple structure, adaptability is strong to complex terrain, can be used for aerospace, military, agriculture and rescue and other special working conditions under the demand of mobile system all-terrain self-adaptability.
Owner:JILIN UNIVERSITY

Obstacle crossing tire of walking robot

The utility model discloses an obstacle crossing tire of a walking robot, and belongs to the technical field of tires. Comprising a hub, a fixed tread is fixedly arranged on the outer side of the hub, grooves are formed in the outer side of the fixed tread in an annular array mode, and wheel carriers are arranged on the inner side of the hub in an annular array mode; the plurality of L-shaped supporting plates are arranged corresponding to the grooves, and the horizontal ends of the L-shaped supporting plates are located on the inner sides of the grooves; the adjusting assembly is adopted to drive the L-shaped supporting plate to slide on the outer side of the hub, so that the horizontal end of the L-shaped supporting plate is separated from the inner side of the groove for obstacle crossing work of the robot, the L-shaped supporting plate and the sliding block A are detachably mounted, and after the sliding block A and the wheel frame are slidably mounted, the adjusting stability of the L-shaped supporting plate is guaranteed, the L-shaped supporting plate is conveniently detached and replaced, and the labor intensity of workers is reduced. A traditional moving rod is replaced by the L-shaped supporting plate, and the L-shaped supporting plate and the sliding block A can be detached from each other for independent replacement, so that the influence on the functions of the whole tire is prevented, and the overall service life is prolonged.
Owner:QINGDAO WANSHIXING HANDTRUCK CO LTD

Wheel for vehicle

Provided is a vehicle wheel with which it is possible to obtain a large propulsive force. The vehicle wheel comprises: a wheel portion to be mounted to a hub provided at the end of a drive axle for a drive wheel of the vehicle body; a wheel cover portion detachably mounted to the wheel portion; and a detach / attach mechanism portion that detachably fixes the wheel cover portion to the wheel portion. The wheel cover portion has a drum shape with a thickness in the shaft center direction of the wheel portion, and comprises a plurality of concave puddle portions in the peripheral surface portion thereof. The detach / attach mechanism portion includes: a plurality of mating recess portions provided on the wheel portion; a plurality of mating protrusion portions provided on the wheel cover portion so as to be matable with the plurality of mating recess portions; and a fixing portion that detachably fixes the mating between the plurality of mating recess portions and the plurality of mating protrusion portions. The fixing portion includes: a center screw hole portion provided in the wheel portion on the shaft center, a center hole provided in the wheel cover portion on the shaft center, a center bolt member that threadedly engaged in the center screw hole portion through the center hole; and a stopper screw for preventing the loosening of the center bolt member threadedly engaged in the center screw hole portion.
Owner:NAGAOKA SHINJI

Bidirectional spiral elastic wheel capable of adapting to large gradient and high bearing capacity

The bidirectional spiral elastic wheel comprises a hub, spokes are reversely arranged on the two sides of the hub respectively, namely, the spokes on one side are arranged in a clockwise rotating mode, and the spokes on the other side are arranged in an anticlockwise rotating mode. Each spoke is bent outwards in the rotating direction from the end connected with the hub, the tail end of each spoke is provided with a connecting table matched with the circumferential face of a wheel, and the outer end faces of the connecting tables on the same side are jointly connected with a rubber ring. According to the crawler-type rigid wheel, the simple structure of a common rigid wheel and the road gripping capacity of the crawler-type wheel body are both considered, meanwhile, a driving motor and a transmission part are not needed, and the high-bearing operation capacity of the wheel body in complex terrains and large-gradient terrains is improved while the light weight is kept. When the wheel body rotates, the bottom surface of the wheel body is pressed downwards through bearing deformation cooperation of the rubber ring of the outer ring and the spokes, so that the contact area between the bottom surface of the wheel body and the ground is increased, and the function of approaching a crawler belt is achieved.
Owner:TIANJIN UNIV

Outdoor power machine

PendingEP4584095A4Lawn-mowersAxle units
An outdoor power machine includes a chassis (16) including first and second main frame rails (18); two or more drive wheel assemblies (30) physically mounted to the chassis (16), each drive wheel assembly (30) coupled to an electric motor; an electrical power pack (28) configured to supply electric energy to the electric motors; at least one steer wheel (38) pivotally mounted to the chassis (16); a mowing deck assembly (200); and a deck lift (230) connecting the mowing deck assembly (200) to the chassis (16), the deck lift (230) including: a first lift assembly (240) connected to the first main frame rail (18) of the chassis (16) at a first rotation point (286,486); a second lift assembly (242) connected to the second main frame rail (18) of the chassis (16) at a second rotation point (342, 542); wherein the first and second lift assemblies (30) are separated at the first and second rotation points (286,486; 342, 542) and the first and second rotation points (286,486; 342, 542) are not interconnected.
Owner:GLOBE (JIANGSU) CO LTD

All-terrain material transportation trolley

PendingCN121733979AItem transportation vehiclesWheel attachmentsOil canDrive shaft
The invention relates to the technical field of transport vehicles, in particular to an all-terrain material transport trolley which comprises a transport hopper, a driving shaft and a steering shaft which are rotationally connected with the transport hopper, and rotating wheels arranged at the two ends of the driving shaft and the two ends of the steering shaft. And the abutting blocks are arranged on the outer surface of the rotating wheel in a sliding mode, the multiple abutting blocks are arranged in an array mode, an interaction groove is formed in the rotating wheel, and the interaction groove is filled with liquid oil. An abutting block in liquid-oil linkage can stretch out and draw back automatically, resistance is reduced in a hidden mode on a flat road surface, resistance is increased in a protruding mode on a complex road surface, and the problems of slipping and vehicle trapping are effectively solved; the elastic piece is matched with the through hole in a flow-limiting manner, and a damping structure composed of the hydraulic rod and the elastic piece is matched, so that the driving stability is greatly improved, and material damage is reduced; the design of the universal joint and the climbing type abutting block assists in easily crossing a damaged road surface.
Owner:WUHU HUA YAN WATER CO LTD

Wheel with 3D flexible spikes

PendingDE102024004106A1Tyre tread bands/patternsWheel attachments
3D flexible spikes mounted on running wheels or drive wheels. Their highly flexible design significantly reduces the problem of contamination and improves traction. The combination of mounting and suspension also considerably reduces manufacturing costs. Current research indicates that numerous flexible spikes exist, and their properties can be further customized. In all applications, the spikes are guided in a reversible direction and held flexibly on this axis by mechanisms. See our European patent application EP23197209.2. A comprehensive prior art search has already been conducted for this application. In this version, the spikes are mounted three-dimensionally (Fig. III flexible working paths, items 10, 11, 12, and 16). This means the spikes are flexible in all directions and their working path can be restricted by guides, including adjustable guides. These wheels are typically used as drive wheels, where permanently optimized traction is beneficial. Due to the individual adjustment of the spikes, balancing is difficult, and the wheels with flexible spikes should be used at low speeds. The spikes' flexibility in all directions allows the wheels to adapt to ground conditions and facilitates cleaning. The 3D design significantly reduces damage and wear on the spikes. In conjunction with a guide (optionally adjustable) on the vehicle / equipment, the properties of the spikes can be influenced at different positions on the wheel.
Owner:GARTENTECHNIK MÜNSTERLAND GMBH

Automated storage system comprising a shuttle for transporting storage aids

An automated storage system including a shuttle and a rack having several rack supports, the shuttle operable to vertically ascend the rack on two adjacent rack supports by a frictional connection, the shuttle including: ground contact wheels; a load handling device; two motor-driven friction wheels arranged in a friction wheel gauge for vertical friction wheel climbing; and a first pair of counterpressure wheels, and the counterpressure wheels are displaceable by a shuttle control between a docking position and a climbing position, and the shuttle is coupled to the two adjacent rack supports in the climbing position and the shuttle is detached from the two adjacent rack supports in the docking position and, in the climbing position, the counterpressure wheel gauge corresponds to the friction wheel gauge, and one rack support each is arranged at least in sections between one of the friction wheels and one of the counterpressure wheels.
Owner:KNAPP AG

Pesticide spraying machine

The utility model relates to the technical field of pesticide spraying machines, in particular to a pesticide spraying machine which comprises a supporting assembly, the supporting assembly comprises a vehicle body, first wheels, first protruding blocks and second protruding blocks, the driving end of the vehicle body is connected with a plurality of first wheels, the thickness of each first wheel is 80 mm-120 mm, and the outer walls of the first wheels are provided with a plurality of first protruding blocks and a plurality of second protruding blocks. The pesticide spraying device has the advantages that rapid steering is facilitated, the position of a supporting position can be adjusted, the ground pressing area is reduced, steering and overall position moving are facilitated, and large-area pesticide spraying operation is facilitated.
Owner:WUQIAO QIYE MASCH CO LTD

Tire, moving wheel and surface cleaning equipment

The utility model discloses a tire, a moving wheel and surface cleaning equipment, and relates to the technical field of surface cleaning. The tire comprises a tire body, the tire body comprises a first side and a second side which are arranged in the radial direction of the tire, and the first side is located on the side, away from a tire center shaft, of the second side; the first side is convexly provided with at least one group of anti-skid units, each anti-skid unit comprises a plurality of anti-skid tooth modules, the plurality of anti-skid tooth modules are distributed along the circumferential direction of the tire, and a first drainage groove extending along the axial direction of the tire is arranged between any two adjacent anti-skid tooth modules; the anti-skid tooth module comprises at least one anti-skid tooth set, each anti-skid tooth set comprises a plurality of anti-skid teeth, the anti-skid teeth are distributed in the axial direction of the tire, and a second drainage groove extending in the circumferential direction of the tire is formed between any two adjacent anti-skid teeth. The tire provided by the utility model can reduce the probability of slipping.
Owner:UBTECH ROBOTICS CORP LTD

Paper folding structure bouncing robot and control method thereof

PendingCN121947643AElectrical steeringWheel attachmentsRemote controlControl engineering
The invention discloses a bouncing robot with a paper folding structure and a control method thereof, and relates to the technical field of soft robots, the bouncing robot comprises a mounting plate, two groups of paper folding feet with layer number difference, a control assembly and a driving tendon, the height difference formed by the layer number difference of the paper folding feet enables the mounting plate to incline forwards, and the driving tendon penetrates through the paper folding feet and is connected with the control assembly; the control assembly can regulate and control winding and releasing of the driving tendons to achieve compression and energy release of the origami feet, and steering of the robot can be completed through differential contraction of the driving tendons on the same side. Integrated precise control of bouncing and steering is achieved, meanwhile, the equipment is provided with an independent power supply and wireless remote control system, and an anti-skid pad is additionally arranged on the sole. The robot solves the problems that a traditional paper folding robot is insufficient in motion performance, inflexible in steering, poor in terrain adaptability and the like, rapid and continuous bouncing and precise steering can be achieved, the robot adapts to various unstructured terrains, and the robot can be widely applied to scenes such as search and rescue detection, environment monitoring and narrow space inspection through a wireless operation mode.
Owner:JIANGXI UNIV OF SCI & TECH

Device for improving off-road capability of wheeled vehicle

ActiveCN224224819UWheel attachmentsDrive wheelTire rotation
The utility model provides a device for improving the off-road ability of a wheeled vehicle, which comprises a pedaling device extending along the radial direction of a wheel, the pedaling device can rotate along with a tire, the pedaling device always faces the ground, and the pedaling device is contacted with the ground when in a low position in the rotating process. A dynamic supporting point is formed in a wheel rotating period, and counter-acting force is generated, so that the wheel is helped to be lifted. The device depends on natural rotation of the wheels to trigger the pedaling action, so that the wheels are helped to lift or cross obstacles to overcome road sections where the vehicle is stopped due to slipping and obstacle trapping of the driving wheels, the design can enhance the cross-country ability of a traditional wheeled vehicle, and the device is particularly suitable for uneven terrains, slipping positions or scenes needing to climb, and has wide application prospects. And the cross-country ability of the wheeled vehicle on viscous, loose, damaged, unpaved and other road surfaces which are difficult to pass through is improved. The device is simple to use and easy to install, does not need other special tools, and can be easily operated by people without technical or professional knowledge.
Owner:鲍里斯·卡尔胡

Adhesion devices for transport assemblies to engage non-metallic surfaces

ActiveUS12491956B2Tyre tread bands/patternsWheel attachmentsTreadTractor
Adhesion devices for transport assemblies are configured to engage non-metallic surfaces. The transport assemblies can be wheels, such as omni-directional wheels, or can be a tractor tread assembly. The transport assembly is configured to move adjacent to a non-metallic surface of a structure. The transport assembly comprises an outer surface disposed adjacent to the non-metallic surface as the transport assembly moves, and a plurality of adhesion devices are each mounted to the outer surface and extend at least in a normal direction away from the outer surface. Each adhesion device is responsive to proximity to the non-metallic surface to adhere to the non-metallic surface. The adhesion devices in one or more embodiments include a Van der Waals-type adhesion device, a micro spine-type adhesion device, a suction cup-type adhesion device, or a combination of such devices.
Owner:SAUDI ARABIAN OIL CO