Patent ID: 8944192
Filing Date: 2015-02-03
Classification: B62D,F22B

Abstract:
1. A method of using a robotic platform to climb a network of pipes comprising the steps of: releasing a grip of an upper roller gripper on a vertical pipe and maintaining a grip of a lower roller gripper; extending pneumatic cylinders between the lower and the upper roller grippers to raise the upper gripper along the pipe; gripping a new position of the pipe by the upper roller gripper; releasing the grip of the lower roller gripper from the pipe; retracting the pneumatic cylinders between the upper and lower roller gripper causing the lower roller gripper to be lifted along the vertical pipe to a raised position on the pipe; gripping a new position on the vertical pipe(s) using the lower gripper; and pivoting the robotic platform relative to a vertical pipe by use of a drive roller engaging a surface of the vertical pipe when one of the upper roller groups or lower roller groups is disengaged from the vertical pipe.