Methods and apparatus for controlling movement of receptacles
US9696706B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 5, 2016 |
| Grant date | Jul 4, 2017 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 5, 2036 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG05B2219/2621
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Methods and apparatus for controlling the movement of portable receptacles within a materials handling facility are described. The materials handling facility utilizes at least one linear induction motor (LIM) to move the portable receptacles having conductive elements from a first location to a second location within the facility. The LIMs may be configured such that most, if not all, of the movement of the receptacles is controlled by the application of energy from the LIMs to the conductive elements of the receptacles. This energy may cause the receptacles to move from one LIM to another LIM, where each LIM in sequence can apply force to the receptacle to pass it to the next LIM in the sequence. In some implementations, the portable receptacles are configured such that at least a base portion of the receptacle includes a conductive element to interact with the LIMs, while maintaining an overall light-weight configuration.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.