Control system and method for moving multiple automated vehicles along a monorail
US6109568A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 23, 1998 |
| Grant date | Aug 29, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 23, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB61L23/005
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
The monorail system of the present invention contains a monorail and a system controller that has a first radio frequency ethernet communications device. Location markers are attached to the monorail. A vehicle is positioned to move on the monorail. The vehicle contains a motor drive system that moves the vehicle on the monorail. A remote controller is interconnected to the motor drive system, and the remote controller controls movement of the vehicle and receives information from the system controller. A reader connected to the remote controller senses the location markers attached to the monorail. A second radio frequency ethernet communications device is provided and is connected to the remote controller. The radio frequency ethernet communications device wirelessly communicates with the first radio frequency ethernet communications device on the system controller to create a wireless ethernet network containing at least the system controller and the remote controller. The information from the system controller is delivered over the wireless ethernet network to the vehicle, and the information is used to instruct the vehicle in the controlled movement on the monorail.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.