Abstract:
In conjunction with an unmanned, remotely controllable apparatus for inspecting, testing and viewing and for examination and evaluation of the general condition, state of repair, and of the quality of fabrication of mechanical structures including bridges, an assembly including a guide track carried by a space frame fastened to extend transversely of a bridge or other structure at an underside thereof. The track supports a carrier adapted for transporting, viewing, examining, treating and testing apparatus for controlled movement and manipulation of the apparatus along a path delineated by the guide track. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the carrier supports one or more turntables and one or more articulated arms and linked arm assemblies at remote ends of which selectable viewing and testing devices are attachable, thus facilitating physical access to and penetration into restricted mechanical zones to be viewed, examined and treated. The space frame itself may be moved lineally along the bridge, on an underside thereof so that through the combination of the transversely moving carrier and the lineally movable space frame, an entire areal zone may be traversed.