Electrified monorail conveyor system
AssigneeAutomatic Systems, Inc.
InventorsKim W. Potter, Craig Steven Wise
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus comprises a portion of conductor bar, a plurality of carriers, and at least one variable frequency driver. The portion of conductor bar forms a portion of track for the carriers. The plurality of carriers are operable to engage the at least a portion of the conductor bar, wherein the plurality of carriers are able to advance along the track. The at least one variable frequency driver is configured to drive at least two of the plurality of carriers along the track.
Claims20
An apparatus comprising:
- (a) at least a portion of a conductor bar operable to form a portion of a track for carriers;
- (b) a plurality of carriers operable to engage the at least a portion of a conductor bar, wherein the plurality of carriers are configured to advance along the track;
- and
- (c) at least one variable frequency driver configured to drive at least two carriers along the track;
- wherein the at least one variable frequency driver comprises a first variable frequency driver and a second variable frequency driver, wherein the first variable frequency driver and the second variable frequency driver are configured to alternatingly provide power to each of the plurality of carriers.
An apparatus comprising:
- (a) a conductor bar, wherein a portion of the conductor bar defines a zone;
- (b) a plurality of carriers configured to advance along the conductor bar, wherein each of the plurality of carriers comprises:
- (i) a motor configured to advance the carrier;
- and
- (ii) a collector shoe configured to engage the conductor bar;
- (c) at least two variable frequency drivers in selective communication with the collector shoe of the plurality of carriers, wherein each of the variable frequency drivers are configured to serially provide power to each of the plurality of carriers without simultaneously providing power to each of the plurality of carriers.
A method of advancing a carrier along a conductor bar with a first variable frequency driver, a second variable frequency driver, a plurality of motors positioned on the carrier, and a collector shoe on the carrier, the method comprising:
- (a) engaging the conductor bar with the collector shoe;
- (b) providing power to the carrier via the first variable frequency driver;
- (c) driving the plurality of motors;
- (d) advancing the carrier along the conductor bar;
- (e) determining that the carrier has advanced along the conductor bar;
- (f) halting the power to the carrier by the first variable frequency driver;
- and
- (g) providing power to the carrier via the second variable frequency driver.
An apparatus comprising:
- (a) at least a portion of a conductor bar operable to form a portion of a track for carriers;
- (b) a plurality of carriers operable to engage the at least a portion of a conductor bar, wherein the plurality of carriers are configured to advance along the track;
- and
- (c) at least one variable frequency driver configured to drive at least two carriers along the track;
- wherein the at least one variable frequency driver is remotely positioned in relation to the plurality of carriers.
An apparatus comprising:
- (a) at least a portion of a conductor bar operable to form a portion of a track for carriers;
- (b) a plurality of carriers operable to engage the at least a portion of a conductor bar, wherein the plurality of carriers are configured to advance along the track;
- and
- (c) at least one variable frequency driver configured to drive at least two carriers along the track;
- wherein each of the plurality of carriers comprises three motors configured to advance the carrier along the conductor bar;
- wherein the at least one variable frequency driver comprises a first variable frequency driver and a second variable frequency driver, wherein the first variable frequency driver is configured to power one of the three motors while the second variable frequency driver is configured to power two of the three motors.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.