US5303154A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Continuous on-line communications system for automatic guided vehicles
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1991-10-25
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Granted: 1994-04-12
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Expires: 2011-10-25
Abstract
Abstract The present invention features a method and circuit for ensuring substantially continuous, on-line communications for a vehicle that is directed to travel along one of a plurality of closed loop guide paths. The system includes a signal generator, and a first buffer operatively connected to the signal generator and to a first guide member defining one of the plurality of closed loop guide paths. The generator and first buffer provide a first reference signal at a predetermined frequency. A second buffer is operatively connected to the signal generator and to a second guide member defining a second guide path. The second buffer provides a second signal at the predetermined frequency. Connected to the second buffer is a mechanism for shifting or time delaying the second signal relative to the first reference signal, as a periodic function of time. In this way, destructive coupling of signals provided in each of the guide members in their respective guide paths is substantially eliminated and constructive coupling of signals provides enhanced effective signal amplitude to the vehicle.
Inventors
- 👤 Walter Luke, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 17:46
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05D; G05D1/00; G05D1/02; G05D1/021; G05D1/0259; G05D1/0265
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
145 words
An inductive communications and guide path system for automatic guided vehicles (AGVs) that provides substantially continuous on-line communications for an AGV proximate one of its guide paths, comprising: means defining at least two continuous, closed loop guide paths for AGVs; signal generating means operatively connected to said at least two continuous, closed loop guide paths; buffer means operatively connected to said signal generating means and to each of said at least two continuous, closed loop guide paths for providing a first, or reference signal at a predetermined frequency and for providing a second signal at said predetermined frequency; and means operatively connected to said buffer means for shifting or time delaying said second signal relative to said first signal as a periodic function of time, whereby destructive coupling of said first and second signals provided in respective ones of said guide paths is substantially eliminated.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
145 words
An inductive communications and guide path system for automatic guided vehicles (AGVs) that provides substantially continuous on-line communications for an AGV proximate one of its guide paths, comprising: means defining at least two continuous, closed loop guide paths for AGVs; signal generating means operatively connected to said at least two continuous, closed loop guide paths; buffer means operatively connected to said signal generating means and to each of said at least two continuous, closed loop guide paths for providing a first, or reference signal at a predetermined frequency and for providing a second signal at said predetermined frequency; and means operatively connected to said buffer means for shifting or time delaying said second signal relative to said first signal as a periodic function of time, whereby destructive coupling of said first and second signals provided in respective ones of said guide paths is substantially eliminated.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The inductive communications and guide path system for automatic guided vehicles in accordance with claim 1, wherein one of said guide paths comprises a guidance wire.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The inductive communications and guide path system for automatic guided vehicles in accordance with claim 2, wherein each of said guide paths comprises a communications wire.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
The inductive communications and guide path system for automatic guided vehicles in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for shifting or time delaying said second signal comprises means for delaying said signal inversely proportionally to a predetermined external modulation function.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The inductive communications and guide path system for automatic guided vehicles in accordance with claim 4, wherein said means for shifting or time delaying said second signal comprises a voltage controlled oscillator.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The inductive communications and guide path system for automatic guided vehicles in accordance with claim 4, wherein the frequency of said predetermined external modulation function is lower than said predetermined frequency.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
The inductive communications and guide path system for automatic guided vehicles in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for shifting or delaying said second signal comprises means for delaying said signal inversely proportionally to a predetermined internally generated function.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
The inductive communications and guide path system for automatic guided vehicles in accordance with claim 7, wherein said internally generated function is generated by an astable multivibrator, and further wherein said generated function is exponential.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
101 words
A method for ensuring substantially continuous on-line communications for an automatic guided vehicle (AGV) moving along a guide path in an inductive communications and guide system, comprising the steps of: a) generating a first signal; b) receiving said first signal and generating a reference signal in response thereto at a predetermined frequency; c) receiving said first signal and generating a second signal in response thereto at said predetermined frequency; and d) shifting or time delaying said second signal relative to said reference signal as a periodic function of time, whereby destructive coupling between said second and reference signals is substantially eliminated.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
101 words
A method for ensuring substantially continuous on-line communications for an automatic guided vehicle (AGV) moving along a guide path in an inductive communications and guide system, comprising the steps of: a) generating a first signal; b) receiving said first signal and generating a reference signal in response thereto at a predetermined frequency; c) receiving said first signal and generating a second signal in response thereto at said predetermined frequency; and d) shifting or time delaying said second signal relative to said reference signal as a periodic function of time, whereby destructive coupling between said second and reference signals is substantially eliminated.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method for ensuring substantially continuous on-line communications in accordance with claim 9, wherein said reference signal comprises a guidance signal.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method for ensuring substantially continuous on-line communications in accordance with claim 10, wherein said second signal comprises a communications signal.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method for ensuring substantially continuous on-line communications in accordance with claim 9, wherein said step (d) of shifting or time delaying said second signal delays said second signal inversely proportionally to a predetermined external modulation function.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method for ensuring substantially continuous on-line communications in accordance with claim 12, wherein said predetermined external modulation function has a frequency that is lower than said predetermined frequency.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method for ensuring substantially continuous on-line communications in accordance with claim 9, wherein said step (d) of shifting or delaying said second signal delays said signal inversely proportionally to a predetermined internally generated function.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method for ensuring substantially continuous on-line communications in accordance with claim 14, wherein said internally generated function is exponential.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
141 words
An inductive communications and guide path system for automatic guided vehicles (AGVs) that provides enchanced on-line communications for an AGV proximate one of its guide paths, comprising: means defining at least two continuous, closed loop guide paths for AGVs; signal generating means operatively connected to said at least two continuous, closed loop guide paths; buffer means operatively connected to said signal generating means and to each of said at least two continuous, closed loop guide paths for providing a first, or reference signal at a predetermined frequency, and for providing a second signal at said predetermined frequency; and means operatively connected to said buffer means for shifting or time delaying said second signal relative to said first signal as a periodic function of time, whereby constructive coupling of said first and second signals provides enhanced effective signal amplitude to said AGVs.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
141 words
An inductive communications and guide path system for automatic guided vehicles (AGVs) that provides enchanced on-line communications for an AGV proximate one of its guide paths, comprising: means defining at least two continuous, closed loop guide paths for AGVs; signal generating means operatively connected to said at least two continuous, closed loop guide paths; buffer means operatively connected to said signal generating means and to each of said at least two continuous, closed loop guide paths for providing a first, or reference signal at a predetermined frequency, and for providing a second signal at said predetermined frequency; and means operatively connected to said buffer means for shifting or time delaying said second signal relative to said first signal as a periodic function of time, whereby constructive coupling of said first and second signals provides enhanced effective signal amplitude to said AGVs.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
26 words
The inductive communications and guide path system for automatic guided vehicles in accordance with claim 16, wherein one of said guide paths comprises a guidance wire.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
26 words
The inductive communications and guide path system for automatic guided vehicles in accordance with claim 17, wherein each of said guide paths comprises a communications wire.
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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) | 1997-04-11 | 1997-10-11 | 1998-04-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-04-11 | 2001-10-11 | 2002-04-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-04-11 | 2005-10-11 | 2006-04-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |