A compendium of robotic equipment used in hazardous environments

Abstract

This report presents a compendium of information regarding specific robotic/teleoperated devices that can be employed in various hazardous environments. A number of the devices were developed for the power industry, while others were designed for non-power related industries, such as space or underwater but may have applications in electricity generating stations. These devices can be used to inspect, locate, identify, manipulate, and/or maintain components in a hazardous environment as well as act as mobile surveillance/sensing/reconnaissance platforms while monitoring the various elements in that atmosphere. Furthermore, they can be used to transport tools, equipment, and material to and from the hazardous environment. This compendium includes remote terrestrial vehicles (RTVs), underwater remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), ROVs suitable for power plant applications; remote pipe crawlers (RPCs), and remote manipulator system (RMSs). The information contained in this report represents a snapshot of this evolving technology, and the devices shown are those for which general information and specification could be obtained at this time. 172 figs.