Magnet arrays for vehicle identification in an independent cart system
US12391495B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 23, 2023 |
| Grant date | Aug 19, 2025 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 12, 2044 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB65G2203/043
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An independent cart system includes multiple track segments, multiple movers, multiple position sensors, and a controller. Each track segment includes multiple coils along a length of the track segment and a segment controller operative to selectively energize the coils to generate an electromagnetic field. Each mover includes a magnet array having multiple magnets, where the magnet array generates a magnetic field that interacts with the electromagnetic field generated by the coils to propel the mover along the track segments. The position sensors are spaced apart along the length of each track segment and generate a position feedback signal with a waveform as a function of the magnetic field generated by the magnet array on each mover. The controller is operative to receive the position feedback signal from each position sensor and to determine a unique identifier for each mover as a function of the waveform of the position feedback signal.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.