Patent · US Expired

Method and apparatus for controlling and monitoring movement of material-transporting carriages

US4630216A · kind A · utility

120Cited by
7References
38Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJun 5, 1984
Grant dateDec 16, 1986
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 5, 2004

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB61L27/14
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A computer-controlled conveying system is provided for use in transporting materials between different locations. The system includes a plurality of carriages for receiving and holding the materials and a track along which the carriages move in transporting the materials. Each of the carriages has a unique identifier, which is used by a system controller to monitor and control the movement of the carriage. A number of transfer units, and corresponding transfer unit controllers, are provided along the track. The transfer unit controllers communicate with a system controller and, in conjunction with the transfer units and information received from the system controller, act to provide the desired path for end of the carriages.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.