Abstract: Methods and apparatus for performing repair operations using an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The methods are enabled by equipping the UAV with tools for rapidly repairing a large structure or object (e.g., an aircraft or a wind turbine blade) that is not easily accessible to maintenance personnel. A plurality of tools are available for robotic selection and placement at the repair site. The tools are designed to perform respective repair operations in sequence in accordance with a specified repair plan, which plan may take into account the results of a previously performed UAV-enabled inspection.

Abstract: A floor cleaner can include a housing adapted for movement over a surface to be cleaned and at least one edge cleaning brush provided on the housing. The edge cleaning brush includes multiple cleaning implements which rotate at different velocities. A gear system, such as a planetary gear system, can drive one cleaning implement at a lower speed than another cleaning implement.

Abstract: Provided are an autonomous coverage vacuum cleaner and a roller brush frame unit for use therewith. The autonomous coverage vacuum cleaner includes a body, the roller brush frame unit, and at least a roller brush. The roller brush frame unit includes a roller brush frame, a connection frame, and a resilient connection element. The connection frame is disposed at a bottom of the body. The resilient connection element is connected between the roller brush frame and the connection frame. The roller brush frame moves vertically relative to the connection frame and the body when subjected to an external force. The roller brush is rotatably disposed at the roller brush frame. The roller brush frame unit enables the roller brush of the autonomous coverage vacuum cleaner to lift and drop resiliently and automatically according to the condition of the floor.

Abstract: An autonomous coverage vacuum cleaner includes a transmission element driven to rotate and disposed at the bottom of a body, and an edge cleaning head. The transmission element has a lower surface, a positioning recess denting upward from the lower surface and having a non-circular inner profile, and a fixing hole disposed in the positioning recess. The edge cleaning head includes a body, at least a brush extending from the body, a positioning block disposed on the body, and resilient elements extending upward from the positioning block. An outer profile of the positioning block corresponds in shape to the inner profile of the positioning recess. Under an applied force, the resilient elements deform resiliently, get closer to each other, and engage with the fixing holes. The positioning block engages with the positioning recess of the transmission element, such that the transmission elements drive the edge cleaning head to rotate.

Abstract: A modular auxiliary brush assembly for a vacuum cleaner includes a mounting bracket coupled to the vacuum cleaner, a spring-biased brush head, and a shaft which mounts the brush head to the mounting bracket. The spring-biased brush head is vertically adjustable to accommodate cleaning surfaces of varied heights and textures. The spring-biased brush head includes a tread which contacts a surface to be cleaned and rolls the brush head relative to the vacuum cleaner when the vacuum cleaner moves over the surface.

Abstract: A floor treatment device including a housing, a brush motor and a rotatable roller disposed in the housing. A suction mouth is disposed in a portion of the housing. The rotatable roller is driven by the brush motor and at least partially extends from the suction mouth. The rotatable roller is resiliently mounted in the housing such that the distance between an axis of rotation of the rotatable roller and the housing portion is variable.

Abstract: The invention relates to a bare floor cleaner capable of wet pickup through a first nozzle opening with the aid of a squeegee, wet scrubbing with an agitator, and dry pickup through a second nozzle opening. The bare floor cleaner comprises a dual-path nozzle assembly having a wet suction path in communication with the first nozzle opening and a dry suction path in communication with the second nozzle opening. A diverter valve selectively controls fluid communication between a suction source and one of the first and second nozzle openings for conversion between wet and dry modes. The bare floor cleaner further comprises a single actuator that controls the positions of the agitator and of the diverter valve. As a result, the cleaning mode of the bare floor cleaner can be controlled with a single switch that is preferably located on the handle assembly for convenient access by a user.

Abstract: An autonomous floor-cleaning robot comprising a housing infrastructure including a chassis, a power subsystem; for providing the energy to power the autonomous floor-cleaning robot, a motive subsystem operative to propel the autonomous floor-cleaning robot for cleaning operations, a command and control subsystem operative to control the autonomous floor-cleaning robot to effect cleaning operations, and a self-adjusting cleaning head subsystem that includes a deck mounted in pivotal combination with the chassis, a brush assembly mounted in combination with the deck and powered by the motive subsystem to sweep up particulates during cleaning operations, a vacuum assembly disposed in combination with the deck and powered by the motive subsystem to ingest particulates during cleaning operations, and a deck adjusting subassembly mounted in combination with the motive subsystem for the brush assembly, the deck, and the chassis that is automatically operative in response to an increase in brush torque in said brush

Abstract: A dust-collectable mobile robotic vacuum cleaner includes a base frame, a driving device mounted to the base frame, a control device mounted to the base frame and electrically connected with the driving device, a collision-detectable unit mounted to the base frame electrically connected with the control device, and a dust-collecting device mounted to the base frame. The dust-collecting device has dust-collecting box, a dust guider, a round brush, and a dust entrance formed at one side of the dust-collecting box. The dust guider is located at a lower edge of the dust entrance, having two opposite sides pivotably mounted to the dust-collecting box and lying against the ground at a predetermined angle respectively, for upward and downward pivoting movement. The round brush is rotatably located at a front end of the dust guider for sweeping dust particles.

Abstract: A cleaner includes a suction motor mounted in a cleaner main body, and generating a suction force; a filter for collecting dust or filth sucked by the suction force generated at the suction motor; a suction head connected with the filter by a suction tube, and sucking dust and filth on a floor; a brush installed in the suction head so as to ascend/descend in a vertical direction, and sweeping dust and foreign substances into the suction head; and a brush height control apparatus installed in the suction head, and making the brush ascend/descend in a vertical direction. The cleaner having a brush height control apparatus can prevent deterioration of a suction force and improving cleaning performance by constantly maintaining a gap between the suction head and the floor.

Abstract: A robot cleaner with a pivotable brush which pivots in accordance with a condition of a floor surface to be cleaned. The pivotal brush prevents overload to a suction motor caused by excessive contact of the brush with the floor surface to be cleaned. The robot cleaner includes a robot cleaner body with a hinge receiving portion, a brush frame with a hinge protrusion pivotally connected to the hinge receiving portion, and a suction port sealingly connected with the dust suction portion of the robot cleaner body. A brush cover is detachable from the brush frame via a brush cover locking mechanism. A rotatable brush is rotatably disposed between the brush frame and the brush cover.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner of the fixed or floating nozzle type wherein a spring is utilized for urging the suction nozzle into the carpet pile to maintain and improve nozzle suction over a wide range of carpet pile heights and types. Such cleaners often lose nozzle suction as the pile height of the carpet increases and forces the suction nozzle upward away from the carpet. The addition of a spring to force the suction nozzle downward restores and improves nozzle suction and thereby improves overall cleaning efficiency of the vacuum cleaner.

Abstract: A portable surface cleaning apparatus including a base module for movement along a surface, an upright handle pivotally attached to the base module, a liquid dispensing system including a fluid supply chamber in the form of a bladder for holding a supply of cleaning fluid, a fluid recovery system including a tank on the base module having a fluid recovery chamber for holding recovered fluid and housing the flexible bladder, wherein the recovery chamber is in fluid communication with the fluid supply chamber and the pressure in the flexible bladder is equalized with the pressure in the tank as the cleaning fluid is dispensed from the supply chamber and the dirty liquid is collected in the recovery chamber. The base module includes upper and lower housing portions and the upright handle is pivotably mounted to the base module through at least one bearing for rotatable reception in the housing.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner head having a casing having a dirty air inlet, a housing mounted above the dirty air inlet and moveable with respect to the dirty air inlet and a brush roatably mounted within the housing. The brush is moveable with the housing for improving the air flow of the dirty air around the brush into the vacuum cleaner head.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner head has a casing having a dirty air inlet and a brush mounted above the dirty air inlet and moveable with respect to the dirty air inlet. The brush is pivotally mounted to the casing by a pivot member at a position forward of the brush. The pivot member transmits force generated by the rotation of the brush to the casing thereby reducing the required offsetting upward biasing force and permitting effective floating of brush in the vacuum cleaner head.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner head having a dirty air inlet has an associated restricting member which is operable to reduce the size of the dirty air inlet thereby increasing the velocity of the air entering the air flow path.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner comprising a housing having an elongated transverse brush cavity with an elongated cylindrical brush therein, a duct having an air flow nozzle adjacent the brush cavity for receiving dirt-entrained air from the brush cavity, a vacuum motor operably associated with the duct and nozzle to draw dirt-entrained air through the nozzle and duct, and the brush cavity having a wrap configuration geometry over the brush including an elongated reflective ledge angled laterally upwardly toward the nozzle.

Abstract: Floor care apparatus is disclosed wherein a powered brush assembly having a multiplicity of rotary brushes is suspended within the apparatus such that the brush assembly floats freely upon the surface being cleaned without supporting any of the machine's weight. The rotary brushes are generally configured as spur gears and function in a gear train wherein one brush drives all other gear brushes in the system. Axially projecting brush bristles are embedded in each gear tooth such that there is no unbrushed area between adjacent brushes in the brush line. The portion of the gear tooth wherein the bristles are embedded includes a recessed profile to allow for circumferential expansion of the tooth, upon insertion of the brush bristles, thereby preventing gear tooth interference. The brush assembly is particularly suitable for hot water carpet extractors of the upright design.

Abstract: To adjust a brush roller to the current operating conditions, a brush attachment to hold the brush roller and drive mechanism is realized in the form of an upper part and a separate inner part. The inner part is thereby mounted in the upper part so that the inner part can pivot by means of an axle, and the brush roller is pressed against the surface to be cleaned by means of a spring element. The inner part has a suction chamber for the brush roller, and has a rear floor strip, preferably of convex curvature, in the vicinity of the axle to create a seal. The front area is sealed by means of a floor strip on the brush attachment.

Abstract: Disclosed is a wet/dry carpet cleaner having a large tank assembly for fluids. A bladder containing fresh or cleaning water is positioned in the large tank for dispensing the cleaning water to a brush. A vacuum nozzle for vacuuming and returning soiled fluid to the recovery tank portion of the tank assembly is also provided. The present invention stems from the development of a brush head assembly which is pivotably secured to the chassis assembly and includes the driving motor, rotating brush, and spray mechanism. The pivotal securement results in the weight of the brush head assembly applying a constant force on the brush throughout the entire cleaning cycle, independent of the amount of fluid contained in the recovery tank or the bladder. Secondarily, the present invention is addressed to configurating and proportioning the bladder to insure a relatively constant load on the nozzle.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for removing fibrous material wound around a generally cylindrical shaft rotated about a central longitudinal axis thereof. A cutter blade is provided to have a forward edge portion extending along the central longitudinal axis of the shaft, which edge portion is normally spaced from the shaft to define a non-cutting position. The edge portion of the cutter blade is moved about a reciprocating locus defined by a forward movement from the non-cutting position to a predetermined distance from the shaft effective to define a cutting position contacting the fibrous material, a lateral movement in the cutting position along the central longitudinal axis of the shaft to cut the fibrous material for its removal from the shaft, and a rearward movement from the shaft to return the edge portion to the non-cutting position.

Abstract: A nozzle head for a vacuum cleaner employing a roller-shaped duster that can be rotated and removed in order to improve efficiency of duster-cleaning. The nozzle head comprises outer and inner casings spaced from each other, a duster supporting shaft detachably and rotatably mounted in the inner casing, a roller-shaped duster member inserted on the duster supporting shaft, a duster holding member which has means for holding the duster supporting shaft and is slidably mounted in the inner casing, means for locking the duster holding member which is fixed to the inner casing, and means for stopping the duster supporting shaft which is disposed between the duster holding member and the opposite ends of the duster supporting shaft.

Abstract: An endless elastomeric vacuum sweeper belt for use in a vacuum sweeper having a diamond pattern drive surface. A first set of ribs project inwardly in a substantially diagonal direction along the drive surface of the belt. A second set of ribs project inwardly along the drive surface of the belt in a substantially diagonal direction opposite the direction of the first set of ribs. The first and set second set of ribs together define a diamond-like pattern on the drive surface as well as a number of particle recesses for the temporary collection of matter. Each rib includes knife-like edge portions to increase the traction of the belt on a drive surface by cutting, loosening and expelling foreign matter lodged between the belt drive surface and the rotation member and/or the drive source of the vacuum sweeper.

Abstract: In a vacuum cleaning apparatus of the dry, wet and wet/dry types having a cleaning head assembly, a rotatable brush carried within and spanning said head assembly adapted to loosen and agitate dirt on a surface to be cleaned, means for rotatably driving said brush, a dirt collection zone, and vacuum means communicating with the interior of said cleaning head assembly for sucking up dirt and carrying it to said dirt collection zone; the improvement comprising said brush being rotatable about a horizontal shaft, the shaft being carried at each of its ends by a movable shaft block, said shaft block being slidably received in a shaft block retainer case affixed to said cleaning head assembly, each of said shaft blocks being carried within its respective shaft block retainer case by resilient spring means biasing said shaft blocks and brush toward said surface to be cleaned, whereby each of said shaft blocks can independently slidably move upwardly within said shaft block retainer cases in response to variations i

Abstract: An apparatus for uniformly spreading and mixing coating ingredients deposited on a traffic surface, such as a road, includes a maneuverable, wheeled support carriage, a frame and a power driven finishing assembly. The finishing assembly is provided with a plurality of working tools which are rotated about a central axis to bring the tools sequentially into contact with a traffic surface area being treated to efficiently spread and apply a surface treatment composition. Radially extending arms connect with the working tools and with a central support disc. The arms independently urge the tools toward the traffic surface to maintain the tools in contact with the surface despite surface variations. Adjustable couplings connect the tools to the arms to enable the tools to assume a range of operating angles relative to the arms to further enhance the maintenance of good tool-to-surface contact.

Abstract: A rotary brush vacuum sweeper having a directly coupled disc brush and turbine wheel. The disc brush floats axially within the sweeper housing to control brush force and is in telescopic relation with rearward motor components to promote favorable air flow characteristics. Hollow space between the disc brush and turbine wheel is continuously purged of dirt and debris by ambient air passing through an associated internal circuit.

Abstract: A rotary brush vacuum sweeper having a directly coupled disc brush and turbine wheel. The disc brush floats axially within the sweeper housing to control brush force and is in telescopic relation with rearward motor components to promote favorable air flow characteristics. Hollow space between the disc brush and turbine wheel is continuously purged of dirt and debris by ambient air passing through an associated internal circuit.

Abstract: A reversible electric motor is mounted in a frame and is connected to front and rear rotary brushes mounted transversely in the frame adjacent the front of the machine with a transverse vacuum nozzle being situated between the brushes. A transverse spray nozzle bar is situated forwardly of the front brush and a further spray nozzle bar is situated rearwardly of the rear brush. A transverse ground engaging drive roller is mounted adjacent the rear of the machine and is also connected to the electric motor. A handle extends upwardly and rearwardly from the rear of the machine and carries controls for the electric motor and for the spray nozzle bars. The vacuum nozzle and the spray bars are connected by flexible hoses to a remotely situated solution tank and recovery tank unit which also includes a source of vacuum such as a vacuum cleaner.

Abstract: A housing of a vacuum cleaner nozzle has an opening in which a brush disk is located so that bristles of the disk extend outwardly of the opening. A journal pin for the brush disk extends with one end portion into a tubular socket formed in the housing, and has another end portion engaged by a single-point bearing in the region of the opening. A brush-disk changing arrangement is provided in the region of the socket to facilitate rapid installation and removal of the brush disk in the housing.