ROBOT FOR USE IN A PASSAGEWAY HAVING AN OBLONG SECTION

摘要

A robot adapted for navigating a passageway having an oblong section includes an engine and a carriage. The carriage includes drive members for driving engagement with the interior surface of the passageway for moving the robot along the passageway. The robot may include a lower stabilizing mechanism for maintaining the robot in a generally upright orientation in the passageway as the robot travels along the passageway. The robot may include an upper stabilizing mechanism for engaging an upper portion of the interior surface of the passageway for increasing friction of the drive members on the interior surface of the passageway. The drive members may each include wheels having different thicknesses and may be angled outwardly to increase engagement of a bearing surface of the drive members with the interior surface of the passageway.