Robotic system and methods of use

Abstract

A robotic system that can have a body and four flippers is described. Any or all of the flippers can be rotated. The flippers can have self-cleaning tracks. The tracks can be driven or passive. The robotic system can be controlled by, and send audio and/or video to and/or from, a remote operator control module. The methods of using and making the robotic system are also described.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A robotic system comprising:
 a chassis having a first lateral side and a second lateral side;   a first flipper laterally outside the first lateral side of the chassis;   a second flipper laterally outside the first lateral side of the chassis; and   a heat sink cover between the first flipper and the second flipper.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a first track drive system attached to the chassis, wherein the first track drive system comprises a track and a drive pulley. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a heat sink comprising a vane; and   a fluid circulation device configured to force an ambient fluid across a vane.   
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the chassis is sealed fluid-tight. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a heat sink. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5 , further comprising a fan coupled to the heat sink. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the heat sink is attached to the outside of the chassis. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the heat sink comprises a vane. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the heat sink cover surrounds the vane. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the vane is extending laterally outward from the chassis. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein a longitudinal axis of the vane is parallel to a longitudinal axis of the chassis. 
     
     
         12 . A robotic system comprising:
 a chassis;   a first track drive system attached to the chassis, wherein the first track drive system comprises a track and a drive pulley; and   a heat sink cover on the exterior of the chassis, wherein the heat sink cover is surrounded by the track.   
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 12 , further comprising a heat sink. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 13 , further comprising a fan coupled to the heat sink. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the heat sink comprises a vane. 
     
     
         16 . A robotic system comprising:
 a chassis having a lateral side and an exterior;   a first track drive system attached to the chassis, wherein the first track drive system comprises a track and a drive pulley; and   a heat sink comprising a vane on the exterior of the chassis, wherein the vane is on the lateral side of the chassis.   
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 12 , further comprising a fan coupled to the heat sink. 
     
     
         18 . A robotic system comprising:
 a chassis having a longitudinal axis;   a first track drive system attached to the chassis, wherein the first track drive system comprises a track and a drive pulley;   a first flipper;   a second flipper longitudinally offset from the first flipper; and   a heat sink cover between the first flipper and the second flipper.   
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 18 , further comprising a heat sink. 
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 19 , further comprising a fan coupled to the heat sink.