Apparatus, systems, and methods for operating and maintaining electrically-powered material-transport vehicles
US11287831B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 20, 2019 |
| Grant date | Mar 29, 2022 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 27, 2039 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02T90/16
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
There is provided an electrically-powered material-transport vehicle having a vehicle-charging contact on one side of the vehicle, and a second vehicle-charging contact on the opposite side of the vehicle. The vehicle has a load-bearing cap that covers the top of the vehicle, and a cap elevator for raising and lowering the cap. The cap can be raised and lowered to a transit position, a payload-engagement position, a charging position, and a maintenance position. In the transit position and payload-engagement position, the cap covers the vehicle-charging contacts so that they are not exposed. In the charging position, the cap is raised so that the vehicle-charging contacts are exposed. The vehicle can enter a charging-dock with the cap in the charging position in order to recharge the vehicle's battery.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.