Robotic Confined Space Exploring System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Performing tasks in confined spaces and hazardous zones poses significant safety challenges due to limited entry and exit points, restricted ventilation, and potential hazards such as toxic gases, mechanical dangers, and radiation, requiring careful planning, specialized equipment, and strict adherence to safety protocols to protect workers.
Innovation Solution
A robotic system comprising a support frame, axial navigation segment, and radial navigation segment, remotely controlled by a human, which allows for vertical and horizontal movement and 360° rotation within confined or hazardous spaces, equipped with a tool head for performing tasks and monitored by thermal cameras, video cameras, and proximity sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If workers physically enter confined spaces and hazardous zones to perform tasks, then task execution capability is improved, but worker safety and health risks increase due to exposure to toxic gases, mechanical hazards, and limited escape routes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a robotic system that creates a physical copy of human capabilities to perform tasks in hazardous environments. The robot replicates human motor functions through articulated arms and grippers while eliminating the need for human presence in dangerous zones, thus maintaining productivity while removing workers from harm's way
Solution Approach 2:
The robotic system serves as an intermediary between the operator and the hazardous environment. The operator controls the robot remotely through a control station, allowing task execution in confined spaces without direct human exposure to toxic gases, mechanical hazards, and limited escape routes
2Reliability
If comprehensive safety protocols, training, and monitoring equipment are implemented for workers in confined spaces, then worker protection is improved, but system complexity and operational overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the complex system of human safety protocols, training requirements, and monitoring equipment with an automated robotic system. The robot inherently eliminates the need for extensive safety training and continuous human monitoring while maintaining or improving worker protection through remote operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the human element from the confined space operation entirely. By removing workers from the hazardous environment and replacing them with a robot, the system eliminates the need for comprehensive safety protocols, emergency response plans, and continuous monitoring that would otherwise be required to protect human life
3Object-affected harmful factors
If workers are equipped with personal protective equipment and continuous monitoring in confined spaces, then exposure to hazards is reduced, but operational efficiency and mobility are restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic system copies human operational capabilities without the physical constraints of protective equipment. The robot achieves hazard exposure reduction through its design and remote operation while maintaining full mobility and dexterity through articulated mechanisms, eliminating the trade-off between protection and mobility that plagues human workers
Data Source
AI summary
A robotic-controlled system, remotely controlled by a human, designed for navigating confined or hazardous spaces. The system minimizes human presence in confined spaces or hazardous work areas by providing the user with a robotic device capable of moving vertically and horizontally and rotating within a vessel. The system comprises an axial navigation segment, a radial navigation segment, a controller unit, and a user interface. The axial navigation segment secures to a top end of a support frame surrounding the vessel opening. The radial navigation segment is attached to a distal end of the axial navigation segment, and a tool head is attached to a distal end of the radial navigation segment. The controller unit electrically activates the motorized components of the system. By interacting with the user interface, the tool head can be precisely maneuvered in and around the confined space to reach the desired area of interest.