Patent ID: 7775305

Claim:
A robot having wheeled and hopping mobilities, the robot comprising: a frame; one or more wheels mounted to the frame, the one or more wheels and the frame operatively arranged to be self-righting; means for powering the one or more wheels; a combustion powered linear actuator attached to the frame, the combustion powered linear actuator extendable to a surface supporting the robot and, the combustion powered linear actuator operatively arranged to impart an acceleration to the robot responsive to actuation of the combustion powered linear actuator; the combustion powered linear actuator including, a body having a first chamber therein; a power piston movably mounted within the first chamber, the power piston movable between a retracted position and an extended position, the power piston having a combustion chamber therein, the combustion chamber operatively arranged to combust a mixture of a fuel and an oxidizer, the combustion chamber fluidically connected to the first chamber and, the power piston having a foot operatively arranged to contact the surface; means for providing the fuel and the oxidizer to the combustion chamber; means for igniting the mixture of the fuel and the oxidizer within the combustion chamber; means for exhausting combustion products from the combustion chamber, a latch operatively connected to the body and the power piston, the latch operatively arranged to releasably restrain the power piston in the retracted position; and, a return energy source connected to the body and the power piston, the return energy source operatively arranged to move the power piston towards the retracted position.