Patent · US Active

Adaptable container handling system

US8915692B2 · kind B2 · utility

17Cited by
80References
49Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 18, 2009
Grant dateDec 23, 2014
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 10, 2033

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S901/01
  • WIPO fieldControl
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

An adaptable handling system featuring a boundary subsystem and one or more robots. Each robot typically includes a chassis, a container lift mechanism moveable with respect to the robot chassis for transporting at least one container, a drive subsystem for maneuvering the chassis, a boundary sensing subsystem, a container detection subsystem, and a controller. The controller is responsive to the boundary sensing subsystem and the container detection subsystem and is configured to control the drive subsystem to follow a boundary once intercepted until a container is detected and turn until another container is detected. The controller then controls the container lift mechanism to place a transported container proximate the second detected container.

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