Automated railcar loader and method
US4595331A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 29, 1983 |
| Grant date | Jun 17, 1986 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 29, 2003 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S414/116
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Disclosed is a system for automatically loading a transport vehicle with unit loads by automatically moving the unit loads from a predetermined loading position to prescribed positions in the transport vehicle. The present invention uses a loading vehicle which receives loads from a staging device which positions the unit loads in the predetermined loading position. A unit load transfer device transfers the unit loads from the staging device to the loading vehicle. The loading vehicle uses on-board sensors in combination with placement information provided by a staging processor to perform translational and operational movements which are processed by an on-board loading vehicle processor. Unit loads can be deposited throughout the transport vehicle by maintaining a guidance path which is internally generated within the transport vehicle and can be either internally or externally generated outside the transport vehicle.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.