초록 ▼

An apparatus and method for monitoring the condition at or near the surface of objects is disclosed. The apparatus is a vehicle which includes a housing which is supported and translated across the object surface by three wheels. The front or first wheel is associated with an encoder and sensor whic

An apparatus and method for monitoring the condition at or near the surface of objects is disclosed. The apparatus is a vehicle which includes a housing which is supported and translated across the object surface by three wheels. The front or first wheel is associated with an encoder and sensor which magnetically determines the physical condition of the object. The apparatus includes a starter block which includes a series of metallic wires embedded at certain depths and locations within the starter block. The vehicle passes over the starter block prior to passing over the object in order that the vehicle be recalibrated by the starter block prior to observing the physical condition of the object.

대표청구항 ▼

[ Having thus described the invention, it is now claimed:] [1.] A method of observing a physical condition of an object at or near a surface of the object, the object having opposed lateral first and second edges, the method comprising the steps of:causing a vehicle to move over the surface of the o

[ Having thus described the invention, it is now claimed:] [1.] A method of observing a physical condition of an object at or near a surface of the object, the object having opposed lateral first and second edges, the method comprising the steps of:causing a vehicle to move over the surface of the object while observing the physical condition;apart from travel over the surface, calibrating the apparatus that senses the physical condition by causing the vehicle to travel over the calibration surface;detecting a second edge of the object, the step of detecting a second edge of the object being accomplished by a first wheel of the vehicle rolling off the second edge, thereby bringing a slide shoe into contact with the object; and,reversing the direction of travel of the vehicle after detection of the second edge.