Cellular depot with hydropneumatically-driven conveyor cars

• US 6,149,366 A
• Filed: 07/30/1998
• Issued: 11/21/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 07/30/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Fata Automation, Inc. (SIND International SPA)
• Original Assignee: Fata Automation, S.p.A.
• Inventors: Deandrea, Giorgio
• Primary Examiner(s): Olszewski, Robert O.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Chin, Paul T.
• Application Number:
  US09/126,440
• Time in Patent Office: 845 Days
• Field of Search: 414/277, 414/281, 414/282, 414/273, 414/279, 414/284, 414/495, 414/498, 414/254, 414/239, 414/240, 414/245, 414/246, 414/255
• US Class Current: 414/279
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 1/0414 provided with satellite cars adapted to travel in storage racks
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 1/0492 with cars adapted to travel in storage aisles

Abstract

A cellular depot including a plurality of cells facing onto a corridor through which runs at least one motor-driven car to convey loads between the cells. The car includes a trolley which is motor-driven to move between the car and the inside of a cell and transfer a load stored or to be stored to and from the car and cell. The trolley includes a hydraulic drive connected, for their power supply, to an independent source of fluid under pressure, which is automatically recharged when the trolley is accommodated on the car.

Claims

1. Cellular depot comprising a plurality of cells facing a corridor, at least one motor-driven car running through the corridor to convey loads between the cells, the car comprising a trolley, motor-driven to move between one of said at least one car and an inside of the plurality of cells and transfer a load to and from the one car and the plurality of cells, the trolley comprises hydraulic driving means connected to an independent source of fluid under pressure disposed on the trolley, for a power supply, and the independent source of fluid being recharged when the trolley rests on the car, the independent source of fluid including accumulators of fluid under pressure, an electric pump located on the trolley withdrawing fluid from a tank and having a delivery side supplying the accumulators, and an automatic electric coupling located between the car and the trolley which, when the trolley is accommodated on the car, automatically connects an electric power supply of the electric pump to a source of electric power reaching the car.

2. Depot as claimed in claim 1, wherein the accumulators comprise hydropneumatic accumulators.

3. Depot as claimed in claim 1, wherein the source of electric power reaching the car is the electric power supply of the car.

4. Depot as claimed in claim 3, wherein the source of power reaches the car through contact lines disposed along rails on which the car runs along the corridor.

5. Depot as claimed in claim 1, wherein the trolley comprises a platform movable between a lowered position and a raised position for raising and lowering the load, said hydraulic drive means comprising an hydraulic actuator for moving the platform between the lowered and raised position.

6. Depot as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hydraulic driving mans comprise an hydraulic motor for translation of the trolley.

7. Cellular depot comprising a plurality of cells facing a corridor, at least one motor-driven car running through the corridor to convey loads between the cells, the car comprising a trolley, motor-driven to move between one of said at least one car and an inside of the plurality of cells and transfer a load to and from the one car and the plurality of cells, the trolley comprises hydraulic driving means connected to an independent source of fluid under pressure disposed on the trolley, for a power supply, and the independent source of fluid being recharged when the trolley rests on the car, and cordless communication devices for exchange of controls and information disposed between the car and the trolley.

8. Depot as claimed in claim 7, wherein the trolley comprises a platform movable between a lowered position and a raised position for raising and lowering the load, said hydraulic drive means comprising an hydraulic actuator for moving the platform between the lowered and raised position.

9. Depot as claimed in claim 7, wherein the hydraulic driving mans comprise an hydraulic motor for translation of the trolley.

10. Cellular depot comprising a plurality of cells facing a corridor, at least one motor-driven car running through the corridor to convey loads between the cells, the car comprising a trolley, motor-driven to move between one of said at least one car and an inside of the plurality of cells and transfer a load to and from the one car and the plurality of cells, the trolley comprises hydraulic driving means connected to an independent source of fluid under pressure disposed on the trolley, for a power supply, and the independent source of fluid being recharged when the trolley rests on the car, and a control unit disposed on the trolley being powered by an electric battery recharged through an automatic electric connection between the trolley and the car when the trolley is accommodated on the car.

11. Depot as claimed in claim 10, wherein the trolley comprises a platform movable between a lowered position and a raised position for raising and lowering the load, said hydraulic drive means comprising an hydraulic actuator for moving the platform between the lowered and raised position.

12. Depot as claimed in claim 10, wherein the hydraulic driving mans comprise an hydraulic motor for translation of the trolley.