US4926753A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Flexible material transport system
Assignee: GREENWOOD JAMES E
•
Filing: 1988-09-09
•
Granted: 1990-05-22
•
Expires: 2008-09-09
Abstract
Abstract A computer controlled transport system for carrying materials, such as semiconductors, to various work stations at spaced apart locations within a common facility. The system comprises a routing controller, a monorail track extending past the work stations and consisting of a plurality of modular track sections. The track sections are interconnected to one another by at least one routing module, such as a turntable, transfer station, etc., to establish plural paths along the track. Plural cars are provided for supporting the materials and carrying them along the track. The cars are battery powered. The system also includes plural control modules located adjacent the track at spaced locations. Each car is individually identifiable and includes control circuitry and communication circuitry. Each of the control modules also includes control circuitry and communication circuitry. The control modules are connected to the routing controller by a local area network. Each of the cars are arranged to communicate with respective ones of the control modules via infrared signals when the car is located at the control module. The control modules, routing controller, and car control circuits cooperate with one another and with the routing module(s) to control the movement of the cars along the monorail track in a predetermined one of the plural paths so that the car can move to selected work stations.
Inventors
- 👤 Mitchell Weiss
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 10:21
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60L; B60L15/00; B60L15/002; B60L15/005; B61; B61L; B61L23/00; B61L23/002; B61L23/005; B60L2200/00; B60L2200/26; B60L2240/00; B60L2240/60; B60L2240/62; B60L2240/627; Y; Y02; Y02T; Y02T10/00; Y02T10/60; Y02T10/64; Y02T10/72; Y02T90/00; Y02T90/10; Y02T90/16
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 47
Claim 1
Independent Claim
304 words
A computer controlled transport system for carrying materials to various workstations at spaced apart locations within a common facility, said system comprising at least one self-powered carrier for supporting said materials thereon, routing controller means having intelligence for determining a route to be followed by each carrier in moving to desired workstations, a track extending past said workstations and comprising a plurality of modular elongated sections interconnected to one another and at least one routing module to establish plural paths along said track, each self-powered carrier being mounted on said track for movement therealong, plural control module means located adjacent to and independent of said track at spaced locations therealong, said plural control module means having intelligent controller means and communication means for transmitting information to and from said intelligent controller means, said carriers including intelligent controller means thereon and communication means for transmitting information to and from said intelligent controller means on the carriers, each of said control module means being coupled to said routing controller means for receiving routing instructions for each car approaching each of said control module means, a communication link between the communication means of the plural control module means and the communication means on each carrier for transmitting information and instructions between the intelligent controller means of each said plural control module means and the intelligent controller means of each carrier via signals when said carrier is adjacent to a respective one of said control module means, whereupon the intelligent controller means of said control module means, said routing controller means, and said intelligent controller means on each of said carriers cooperate with one another and with said routing module to control the path of movement of said carrier along said track in a selected one of said plural paths to move to selected ones of said workstations.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
304 words
A computer controlled transport system for carrying materials to various workstations at spaced apart locations within a common facility, said system comprising at least one self-powered carrier for supporting said materials thereon, routing controller means having intelligence for determining a route to be followed by each carrier in moving to desired workstations, a track extending past said workstations and comprising a plurality of modular elongated sections interconnected to one another and at least one routing module to establish plural paths along said track, each self-powered carrier being mounted on said track for movement therealong, plural control module means located adjacent to and independent of said track at spaced locations therealong, said plural control module means having intelligent controller means and communication means for transmitting information to and from said intelligent controller means, said carriers including intelligent controller means thereon and communication means for transmitting information to and from said intelligent controller means on the carriers, each of said control module means being coupled to said routing controller means for receiving routing instructions for each car approaching each of said control module means, a communication link between the communication means of the plural control module means and the communication means on each carrier for transmitting information and instructions between the intelligent controller means of each said plural control module means and the intelligent controller means of each carrier via signals when said carrier is adjacent to a respective one of said control module means, whereupon the intelligent controller means of said control module means, said routing controller means, and said intelligent controller means on each of said carriers cooperate with one another and with said routing module to control the path of movement of said carrier along said track in a selected one of said plural paths to move to selected ones of said workstations.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said carrier includes rechargeable battery means for powering it, said intelligent controller means on said carrier monitoring information indicative of the condition of the battery means and providing instructions via signals to charging means for controlling charging of said battery means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said signals are in the electromagnetic spectrum and provide information as to the identity of said carrier and information as to the location of the carrier with respect to said track.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 3 wherein said signals in the electromagnetic spectrum comprise infrared signals.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said carrier means comprises a car having a rigid platform supported by a pair of articulated trucks.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system of claim 5 wherein said carrier means includes an electrical motor mounted thereon and coupled to a drive roller, said track being a monorail and said drive roller engaging a portion of said monorail.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 5 wherein said platform is of an open construction to enable air to freely pass therethrough.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
76 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said track is a monorail and wherein each of said track sections comprises an elongated, vertically oriented, ribbon-like member whose width is substantially smaller than its height, said ribbon-like member having an upper and lower surface and parallel, substantially planar sidewalls extending from said upper surface to said lower surface, said carriers having rotating members engaging said upper surface and sidewalls to aid in moving the carriers along the track.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said system comprises plural routing modules, each of said routing modules controllable by a respective control module means to establish said predetermined path that said carrier is to take.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
50 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said track includes incoming and outgoing track sections and wherein said routing module comprises turntable means located at the junction of said incoming and outgoing track sections to enable said carrier to take anyone of at least two paths established by said track sections.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
56 words
The system of Claim 10 wherein said turntable means comprises at least one moveable track section disposed between said incoming and said outgoing track sections, said moveable track section being rotatable by actuator means under the control of said control module means to assume various orientations interconnecting respective ones of said incoming and outgoing track sections.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
42 words
The system of claim 11 wherein said control module means controlling the actuator means includes sensing means for sensing the orientation of said movable track section and for providing a signal indicative thereof to the intelligent controller of said control module means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
43 words
The system of claim 11 wherein said control module means includes means disposed adjacent said movable track section for providing a signal to said intelligent controller of said control module means for indicating the disposition of a carrier on said movable track section.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 10 wherein said carrier can take any one of at least three paths established by said track sections.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
38 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said routing module comprises transfer station means for transferring said carrier off of said track and to a lateral position to enable any other carrier on said track to pass said station.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
90 words
The system of claim 15 wherein said track includes an incoming and an outgoing track section and wherein said transfer station means comprises a first movable track section, a second movable track section, and actuator means therefor, said first section being arranged to be moved by said actuator means from a position between said incoming and outgoing track sections to a lateral position with respect thereto and said second track section being arranged to be moved by said actuator means to a position between said incoming and outgoing track sections.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 16 wherein said first and second track sections are disposed parallel to one another and with the spacing therebetween being adjustable.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
45 words
The system of claim 16 wherein a control module means additionally comprising means disposed adjacent said first movable track section for providing a signal to said intelligent controller of said one control module means indicating the disposition of a carrier on said movable track section.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
62 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said track includes three sections defining at least one incoming section and at least one outgoing section and wherein said routing module comprises turnout means located at the junction of said incoming and outgoing sections to enable said carrier to move from one track section to one of the other two track sections or vice versa.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
71 words
The system of claim 19 wherein said turnout means comprises a first movable track section, a second movable track section, and actuator means therefor, said first track section being movable by said actuator mens to a position between one incoming track section and one outgoing track section, said second track section being movable by said actuator means to a position between said one incoming track section and another outgoing track section.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 20 wherein said actuator moves said first and second movable track sections laterally with respect to the direction of said incoming and outgoing track sections.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 21 wherein said first track section is linear and said second track section is in the shape of an "S" curve.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
47 words
The system of claim 20 wherein one of said control module means additionally comprising means disposed adjacent said first movable track section for providing a signal to said intelligent controller of said one control module means indicating the disposition of a carrier on said movable track section.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
46 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said track includes an incoming track section disposed at one elevation and an outgoing track section disposed at a different elevation and wherein said routing module comprises elevator means to move said carrier between said incoming and outgoing track sections.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 24 wherein said elevator means comprises a movable track section mounted on a vertically extending member and actuator means to move said movable track section.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
64 words
The system of claim 25 wherein said actuator means comprises a motor, flexible drive means connected thereto and extending about a pulley and connected to said track section, whereupon movement of said flexible drive means in one direction causes the raising of said movable track section while movement of said flexible drive means in the opposite direction causes the lowering of said track section.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 26 additionally comprising counterbalance means for said movable track section.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
47 words
The system of claim 25 wherein one of said control module means additionally comprising means disposed adjacent said first movable track section for providing a signal to said intelligent controller of said one control module means indicating the disposition of a carrier on said movable track section.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said track sections and routing modules are releasably securable to change the configuration of said track.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
37 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said track is a monorail and wherein said track sections are of predetermined standardized lengths up to twelve feet (3.66 meters) long and in increments of one foot (0.30 meters) lengths.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 30 wherein at least one of said track sections is straight.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 30 wherein at least one of said track sections is curved, having a minimum radius of curvature of six inches (0.15 meters).
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system of claim 30 wherein at least one of said track sections is curved, having a minimum radius of curvature of six inches (0.15 meters) and at least one of said track sections is straight.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said routing controller means provides signals via a local area network to said plural control module means for establishing said path.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
93 words
The system of claim 1 wherein each of said control module means includes buffer means for storing signals received from said routing control means, said intelligent controller means and communication means of each of said control module means communicating signals stored in the buffer means to the communication means and intelligent controller means on said at least one carrier for providing instructions to the carrier through the intelligent controller on said carrier, whereupon said routing controller means is relieved of real time control over the movement of the carrier along said predetermined path.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said control module means comprises routing module actuator control means for establishing the state of the routing module.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
42 words
The system of claim 36 wherein said control module means additionally comprises carrier sensing means and local area network interface means, and wherein said system comprises a local area network for coupling said plural control module means to said routing controller means.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system of claim 37 wherein said carrier is powered by a rechargeable battery means mounted thereon and wherein said control module means additionally comprises means for effecting the charging of the carrier battery means.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
48 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said carrier includes a motor and motor control means for controlling the operation of said motor to effect movement and stopping of said carrier, said carrier motor control means being operated by control signals provided by the intelligent controller on the carrier.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 39 wherein said carrier additionally comprises means for providing a signal to said control module means indicating a unique designation of said carrier.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
42 words
The system of claim 40 wherein said control module means comprises routing module actuator control means for establishing the state of the routing module, said routing module actuator control means being operated by the intelligent controller means of said control module means.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
41 words
The system of claim 41 wherein said control module means additionally comprises carrier sensing means and local area network interface means and wherein said system comprises a local area network for coupling said control module means to said routing controller means.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system of claim 42 wherein said carrier is powered by a rechargeable battery means mounted thereon and wherein said control module means additionally comprises means for effecting the charging of the carrier battery means.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said control module means is coupled to said routing controller means by a local area network.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
104 words
A transport system for carrying material to various workstations at spaced-apart locations within a common facility, said transport system comprising a track extending past said workstations and at least one self-powered carrier for support said material thereon, said at least one carrier including a rechargeable battery means for powering it, characterized in that said carrier includes a charging means for the battery means, intelligent controller means for monitoring information indicative of the condition of the battery means and for providing instructions via signals to said charging means for controlling charging of said batter means, said intelligent controller means being powered by said battery means.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
104 words
A transport system for carrying material to various workstations at spaced-apart locations within a common facility, said transport system comprising a track extending past said workstations and at least one self-powered carrier for support said material thereon, said at least one carrier including a rechargeable battery means for powering it, characterized in that said carrier includes a charging means for the battery means, intelligent controller means for monitoring information indicative of the condition of the battery means and for providing instructions via signals to said charging means for controlling charging of said batter means, said intelligent controller means being powered by said battery means.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-05-21 | 1993-11-20 | 1994-05-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-05-21 | 1997-11-20 | 1998-05-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-05-21 | 2001-11-20 | 2002-05-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |