Coolant-Cooled Inspection Robot for High-Temperature Surface Access
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inspection systems for industrial surfaces face challenges such as hazardous environments, incomplete inspections, human error, and the need for system shutdowns, due to their inability to efficiently and safely access and assess surfaces in conditions like high temperatures, confined spaces, and hazardous materials.
Innovation Solution
A modular inspection robot with interchangeable drive assemblies and payloads, equipped with universal connectors for couplant, electrical power, and data communications, and sensors configured for various surfaces, allowing for improved environmental capabilities, reduced footprint, and enhanced climbing abilities, along with interactive inspection maps for data transmission and control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If personnel manually inspect industrial surfaces in hazardous environments, then inspection can be performed with simple equipment, but personnel safety is compromised and inspection completeness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The inspection robot is divided into modular components including a chassis, interchangeable drive assemblies, and detachable payloads. This segmentation allows the complex inspection system to be broken into manageable modules that can be independently selected and replaced based on specific inspection requirements, making the complex system more controllable and adaptable.
Solution Approach 2:
The robot chassis is designed with universal connectors that can interface with multiple types of drive assemblies and payloads. This multi-functionality allows a single chassis platform to perform various inspection tasks in different hazardous environments by simply changing the attached modules, reducing the need for multiple specialized systems.
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional inspection systems are used in high temperature environments, then system structure can be simple, but operational capability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
A coolant circulation system acts as an intermediary between the robot's electronic components and the high-temperature environment. The coolant absorbs heat from sensitive components through cooling channels and dissipates it externally, enabling the robot to operate in high-temperature environments without compromising component reliability.
3Strength
If inspection robot has larger footprint for stability, then climbing capability is improved, but horizontal range is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The robot employs dynamically adjustable drive assemblies that can modify their configuration based on terrain requirements. The interchangeable wheel assemblies allow the robot to optimize its footprint and contact characteristics in real-time, enabling it to achieve sufficient stability for climbing while maintaining a compact overall form factor that preserves horizontal range.
4Adaptability or versatility
If modular payloads with universal connectors are used, then adaptability to different surfaces is improved, but connection reliability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The universal connectors are pre-configured with standardized interfaces, alignment features, and locking mechanisms that ensure reliable connections before actual use. The couplant, electrical, and data connections are pre-arranged in the connector design, allowing for quick and reliable attachment of different payloads without compromising connection integrity during interchange operations.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enables safe, efficient, and comprehensive inspections in hazardous environments, reducing human error and the need for system shutdowns, while providing accurate and systematic data collection and analysis through interactive maps.
Implementation Method 1
The robot may include a coolant-managed couplant reservoir and cooling channels for electronic components
Data Source
AI summary
Inspection robot and methods utilizing coolant for temperature management are described. An example inspection robot may include a housing with a couplant retaining chamber, and an electronic board selectively thermally coupled to the couplant retaining chamber. The inspection robot may include a couplant input port coupling a couplant source to a couplant flow path, a drive module coupled to the housing, and a payload with at least one sensor, where the payload is coupled to the housing. The couplant flow path is fluidly coupling the couplant input port to the couplant retaining chamber.