Spherical sensor and data collection vehicles

Details Spherical sensor and data collection vehicles Spherical sensor and data collection vehicles

2008-11-26

2011-11-08

Wallis, Michael Rutland (Department: 2836)

Communications: electrical

Continuously variable indicating

With meter reading

C180S007100, C901S048000, C901S050000

Reexamination Certificate

active

08054198

ABSTRACT:
An inexpensive unmanned mobile sensor and data collection rolling rover (“rollver) for exploring remote, inaccessible locations, such as deep craters and canyons, includes a hollow enclosure having a flexible wall that is expandable into the shape of a sphere, an apparatus for selectably expanding the wall of the enclosure, a sensor and instrumentation payload disposed within the enclosure and coupled to an inner surface of the wall of the enclosure, and a power supply for powering the payload at its destination. The rollver is adapted to roll to a target destination at least partially in response to at least one of an initial impetus imparted to the vehicle and gravitational forces acting thereon, and due to its relatively low cost, can be simultaneously deployed and used in an area of interest in relatively large numbers.

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