US 11,867,339 B2
Motorized apparatus including wheels
Todd William Danko, Niskayuna, NY (US); and Alexander Kyle Duncan, Niskayuna, NY (US)
Assigned to General Electric Company, Schenectady, NY (US)
Filed by General Electric Company, Schenectady, NY (US)
Filed on Feb. 1, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/590,628.
Prior Publication US 2023/0243456 A1, Aug. 3, 2023
Int. Cl. F16L 55/18 (2006.01); F16L 55/32 (2006.01); F16L 101/30 (2006.01)
CPC F16L 55/18 (2013.01) [F16L 55/32 (2013.01); F16L 2101/30 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A motorized apparatus for use in maintaining a pipe having a sidewall defining an interior cavity, said motorized apparatus comprising:
a body assembly extending along a longitudinal axis;
at least one maintenance device coupled to said body assembly;
a plurality of leg assemblies coupled circumferentially around said body assembly; and
a plurality of drive mechanisms coupled to said plurality of leg assemblies, wherein said plurality of drive mechanisms are configured to interact with the sidewall, said plurality of drive mechanisms comprising at least two wheels, wherein said plurality of drive mechanisms are arranged to move said body assembly in a first direction parallel to the longitudinal axis, move said body assembly in a second direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and rotate said body assembly around the longitudinal axis, wherein each of said at least two wheels is a mecanum wheel.