Abstract: A submersible vehicle which includes a plurality of cameras can be used to collect visual images of an object of interest submerged in a liquid environment, such as in a tank (e.g. transformer tank). In one form the submersible vehicle is remotely operated such as an ROV or an autonomous vehicle. Image information from the submersible along with inertial measurements in some embodiments is used with a vision based modelling system to form a model of an internal object of interest in the tank. The vision based modelling system can include a number of processes to form the model such as but not limited to tracking, sparse and dense reconstruction, model generation, and rectification.

Abstract: There is set forth herein an articulated arm, the articulated arm comprising a first rigid link assembly and a second rigid link assembly. The articulated arm can be configured so that the second rigid link assembly rotates in relation to the first link assembly about a rotary axis. The articulated arm can include an actuator for causing rotary movement of the second rigid link assembly in relation to the first rigid link assembly about the rotary axis. The actuator can include a first fluid chamber, and a second fluid chamber. The articulated arm can include a fluid supply assembly for moving fluid into and out of the first fluid chamber and the second fluid chamber.

Abstract: A method inspects a conveyor (10) having opposing sides (34, 35) and a length. The conveyor includes an endless belt (16) and a plurality of roller structures (24) disposed in spaced relation along at least a portion of the length of the conveyor and under a top flight (17) of the belt for supporting the belt while material is being conveyed on the belt. Each roller structure includes at least one roller (12, 12?) constructed and arranged to rotate about an axis as the belt is conveyed with the material. The method orients an unmanned vehicle (22), having sensor structure (28) thereon, at one side of the conveyor, and causes the vehicle to travel along the portion of the length of the conveyor while the sensor structure obtains data regarding a state of at least a portion of the belt and of rollers of the plurality of roller structures while the conveyor is operating.

Abstract: There is set forth herein an articulated arm, the articulated arm comprising a first rigid link assembly and a second rigid link assembly. The articulated arm can be configured so that the second rigid link assembly rotates in relation to the first link assembly about a rotary axis. The articulated arm can include an actuator for causing rotary movement of the second rigid, link assembly in relation to the first rigid link assembly about the rotary axis. The actuator can include a first fluid chamber, and a second fluid chamber. The articulated arm can include a fluid supply assembly for moving fluid into and out of the first fluid chamber and the second fluid chamber.

Abstract: There is set forth herein an articulated arm, the articulated arm comprising a first rigid link assembly and a second rigid link assembly. The articulated arm can be configured so that the second rigid link assembly rotates in relation to the first link assembly about a rotary axis. The articulated arm can include an actuator for causing rotary movement of the second rigid link assembly in relation to the first rigid link assembly about the rotary axis. The actuator can include a first fluid chamber, and a second fluid chamber. The articulated arm can include a fluid supply assembly for moving fluid into and out of the first fluid chamber and the second fluid chamber.

Abstract: A method inspects a conveyor (10) having opposing sides (34, 35) and a length. The conveyor includes an endless belt (16) and a plurality of roller structures (24) disposed in spaced relation along at least a portion of the length of the conveyor and under a top flight (17) of the belt for supporting the belt while material is being conveyed on the belt. Each roller structure includes at least one roller (12, 12?) constructed and arranged to rotate about an axis as the belt is conveyed with the material. The method orients an unmanned vehicle (22), having sensor structure (28) thereon, at one side of the conveyor, and causes the vehicle to travel along the portion of the length of the conveyor while the sensor structure obtains data regarding a state of at least a portion of the belt and of rollers of the plurality of roller structures while the conveyor is operating.

Abstract: There is set forth herein an articulated arm, the articulated arm comprising a first rigid link assembly and a second rigid link assembly. The articulated arm can be configured so that the second rigid link assembly rotates in relation to the first link assembly about a rotary axis. The articulated arm can include an actuator for causing rotary movement of the second rigid link assembly in relation to the first rigid link assembly about the rotary axis. The actuator can include a first fluid chamber, and a second fluid chamber. The articulated arm can include a fluid supply assembly for moving fluid into and out of the first fluid chamber and the second fluid chamber.

Abstract: A socket is provided for removing or installing a fastener having a hexagonally shaped portion. The socket includes a body having a longitudinal axis and opposing first and second ends. First surfaces define a tool-receiving portion at the first end. The tool-receiving portion is constructed and arranged to receive a portion of a tool. Second surfaces define a socket portion at the second end. The socket portion is constructed and arranged to receive and engage the portion of the fastener therein. Holding structure is associated with the socket portion and is constructed and arranged to non-magnetically hold the portion of the fastener in the socket portion so as to not fall out of the socket portion, either due to friction or vacuum, without providing torque to the fastener when the socket is rotated during installation or removal of the fastener.

Abstract: A socket is provided for removing or installing a fastener having a hexagonally shaped portion. The socket includes a body having a longitudinal axis and opposing first and second ends. First surfaces define a tool-receiving portion at the first end. The tool-receiving portion is constructed and arranged to receive a portion of a tool. Second surfaces define a socket portion at the second end. The socket portion is constructed and arranged to receive and engage the portion of the fastener therein. Holding structure is associated with the socket portion and is constructed and arranged to non-magnetically hold the portion of the fastener in the socket portion so as to not fall out of the socket portion, either due to friction or vacuum, without providing torque to the fastener when the socket is rotated during installation or removal of the fastener.