Novel solutions to design problems of industrial climbing robots

Abstract

This paper aims to identify some design problems that affect system performance of climbing robots and to present novel solutions to the problems. The first problem is the interference of the umbilical cord for the robot with its mobility and dynamics; the second problem is the slow traveling speed of climbing robots, affecting the overall working efficiency of the system; the third one is unforeseen variations of surface curvature of objects on which a vacuum suction type of robot climbs, which reduces suction pressures and adhesion forces pulling the robot onto the surface; and the fourth is the intrinsic safety requirements of electrical components in flammable environments. The technical solutions have been developed and tested in laboratory and industrial field trials and have been proven to be well founded and unique. It has been verified that new techniques from other engineering areas, e.g. materials and information engineering, can be used to formulate novel solutions to overcome the obstacles. The technical approaches used in these solutions will strengthen the state of the art and contribute to the advance of climbing robot applicable technology. © 2006 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.