Newsgroups: comp.robotics
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From: Donald.Heller@jpl.nasa.gov (Don Heller)
Subject: Re: Broadcast Power
Message-ID: <Donald.Heller.229.000E502E@jpl.nasa.gov>
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References: <36ru62$4c1@tabloid.amoco.com> <36vmb9$qmo@usenet.rpi.edu>
Date: Thu, 6 Oct 1994 22:18:41 GMT

In article <36vmb9$qmo@usenet.rpi.edu> morale@vccsouth12.its.rpi.edu (Enrique Morales) writes:

>In article <36ru62$4c1@tabloid.amoco.com>, jocoats@amoco.com (Jack Coats) writes:

>|> If we are working with robots in a confined space, could we use the
>|> weight of a battery for some other kind of power plant and possibly
>|> reduce the overall robotic vechicle weight? 
>Sure.

>|> I was thinking of an
>|> induction coil picking up power from a coil surrounding the area where
>|> the robot would roam. 
>I think you will have to talk to Nikolai Tesla... Oh wait, he's dead...
>I think this might work, but read below as to why you might not *want* to do it.

>|> This might allow use of multiple robots in the
>|> same area. 

     <much snipped>

You might consider placing several power sources around the area (at walls
or pillars) with contacts (like cordless phone rechargers) or closely spaced
transformer windings (on at wall, one in bot).  When the bot senses it is 
getting tired (power mon on a chip), it goes to the nearest bar and quaffs
some juice.  Fast charge, of course, and an IR light at the bar to let the
bots find their way...

Don

Don Heller (Donald.W.Heller@jpl.nasa.gov)
           (heller@vraptor.jpl.nasa.gov)
           (73632.454@compuserve.com)

LASCIATE OGNE SPERANZA, VOI CH'INTRATE

