Abstract: A hull cleaning robot includes at least one cleaning apparatus for cleaning the hull of a vessel, at least one drive track holding the robot on the hull as the robot maneuvers about the hull, and at least one turbine actuatable by water flowing past the hull for operating the at least one drive track and, optionally, the cleaning apparatus.

Abstract: A hull robot includes a turbine subsystem actuatable by fluid moving past the hull, a drive subsystem for maneuvering the robot about the hull, and an adjustment subsystem for either the turbine subsystem or the drive subsystem. A controller is configured to operate the adjustment subsystem to adjust the position of the turret subsystem relative to the drive subsystem until fluid flowing past the hull results in an optimal flow of fluid with respect to the turbine subsystem.

Abstract: A hull robot includes a robot body, at least one drive module for maneuvering the robot about the hull, an on-board power source, and a motive subsystem for the drive module powered by the on-board power source. A plurality of permanent magnet elements are associated with the drive module and each are switchable between a non-shunted state when adjacent the hull and a shunted state when not adjacent the hull.

Abstract: A hull robot includes a robot body, at least one drive module for maneuvering the robot about the hull, an on-board power source, and a motive subsystem for the drive module powered by the on-board power source. A plurality of permanent magnet elements are associated with the drive module and each are switchable between a non-shunted state when adjacent the hull and a shunted state when not adjacent the hull.

Abstract: A hull robot includes a robot body, at least one drive module for maneuvering the robot about the hull, an on-board power source, and a motive subsystem for the drive module powered by the on-board power source. A plurality of permanent magnet elements are associated with the drive module and each are switchable between a non-shunted state when adjacent the hull and a shunted state when not adjacent the hull.

Abstract: A vessel hull robot garage includes a stowage compartment for stowing a hull robot and a rotation system for rotating the stowage compartment relative to the vessel between a launch/recovery attitude and a stowed position.

Abstract: A robot drive system preferably used for a vessel hull cleaning and/or inspection robot includes a first frame portion rotatably supporting a first axle with a first wheel thereon, and a second frame portion rotatably supporting a second axle with a second wheel thereon. A joint connects the first frame portion to the second frame portion and defines an expendable and contractible portion between the first frame portion and second frame portion. An actuator subsystem is configured expand and contract the expandable and contractible portion to move the first frame portion relative to the second frame portion at the joint to angle the first axle relative to the second axle to steer the robot.

Abstract: Suspension systems and methods of assembling suspension systems for weight-bearing structures are presented. The suspension system can have linearly translating load-bearing or load support members that confine displacement of a weight-bearing body or member to a longitudinal axis or displacement axis rather than a lateral axis or not coincident with the longitudinal axis, comprising a rail and bridge assembly. The linear bearing assembly can comprise a rail and a bridge slidably movable along the longitudinal axis of the rail.

Abstract: A hull robot includes a robot body, at least one drive module for maneuvering the robot about the hull, an on-board power source, and a motive subsystem for the drive module powered by the on-board power source. A plurality of permanent magnet elements are associated with the drive module and each are switchable between a non-shunted state when adjacent the hull and a shunted state when not adjacent the hull.

Abstract: A vessel hull robot garage includes a stowage compartment for stowing a hull robot and a rotation system for rotating the stowage compartment relative to the vessel between a launch/recovery attitude and a stowed position.

Abstract: Suspension systems and methods of assembling suspension systems for weight-bearing structures are presented. The suspension system can have linearly translating load-bearing or load support members that confine displacement of a weight-bearing body or member to a longitudinal axis or displacement axis rather than a lateral axis or not coincident with the longitudinal axis, comprising a rail and bridge assembly. The linear bearing assembly can comprise a rail and a bridge slidably movable along the longitudinal axis of the rail.

Abstract: A robot drive system preferably used for a vessel hull cleaning and/or inspection robot includes a first frame portion rotatably supporting a first axle with a first wheel thereon, and a second frame portion rotatably supporting a second axle with a second wheel thereon. A joint connects the first frame portion to the second frame portion and defines an expendable and contractible portion between the first frame portion and second frame portion. An actuator subsystem is configured expand and contract the expandable and contractible portion to move the first frame portion relative to the second frame portion at the joint to angle the first axle relative to the second axle to steer the robot.

Abstract: A hull robot includes a turbine subsystem actuatable by fluid moving past the hull, a drive subsystem for maneuvering the robot about the hull, and an adjustment subsystem for either the turbine subsystem or the drive subsystem. A controller is configured to operate the adjustment subsystem to adjust the position of the turret subsystem relative to the drive subsystem until fluid flowing past the hull results in an optimal flow of fluid with respect to the turbine subsystem.

Abstract: A hull cleaning robot includes at least one cleaning apparatus for cleaning the hull of a vessel, at least one drive track holding the robot on the hull as the robot maneuvers about the hull, and at least one turbine actuatable by water flowing past the hull for operating the at least one drive track and, optionally, the cleaning apparatus.

Abstract: A crawler apparatus capable of being moved along a surface including a frame having first and second ends, a first end roller coupled to the frame and disposed adjacent the first end of the frame, a second end roller coupled to the frame and disposed adjacent to the second end of the frame, and a belt having an inner side capable of contacting each respective roller and an outer side capable of contacting the surface.

Abstract: A crawler apparatus capable of being moved along a surface including a frame having first and second ends, a first end roller coupled to the frame and disposed adjacent the first end of the frame, a second end roller coupled to the frame and disposed adjacent to the second end of the frame, and a belt having an inner side capable of contacting each respective roller and an outer side capable of contacting the surface.

Abstract: An integrated operator workspace adapted for incorporation into a mobile computing vehicle. The integrated operator workspace includes a base having a first longitudinal edge and a second longitudinal edge. A first operator computing station is located adjacent to the first longitudinal edge of the base and a second operator computing station is located adjacent to the second longitudinal edge of the base. In this arrangement, the first and second operator computing stations are separated from each other by a first predetermined space, which permits unimpeded ingress and egress of the integrated operator workspace by a first user operating at the first operator station and a second user operating at the second operator station.

Abstract: A corner shelving structure comprising an upper surface, abutment surfaces, and a front face, adapted for use with an adhesive or with mechanical fasteners, and comprising a torsion member which is integral with the upper surface and extends between the front face and at least one abutment surface.