Continuum Robots Collaborate for Safe Manipulation of High-Temperature Flame to Enable Repairs in Challenging Environments
Xin Dong, Mingfeng Wang, Abdelkhalick Mohammad, Weiming Ba, Matteo Russo, Andy Norton, James Kell, Dragoş Axinte
Abstract
This letter presents two long continuum robots, inserted through small holes, and working collaboratively in a crammed space to manipulate an extreme-temperature (>2000 °C) flame for coating repair on aeroengines without the need of their disassembly. One robot (Adder) carries a thermal spray nozzle while the other (Observer) carries cameras and a flame ignitor, supporting the locomotion and operation of the Adder, which was demonstrated on a real aeroengine offering advantages in both operational time and repair costs.
Topics & Concepts
RobotNozzleComputer scienceAutomotive engineeringSimulationMechanical engineeringEngineeringArtificial intelligenceSoft Robotics and ApplicationsMicro and Nano RoboticsRobotic Path Planning Algorithms