Variable offset positioning antenna array for enhanced guidance of automated guided vehicles (AGVS)

• US 9,063,550 B2
• Filed: 07/23/2013
• Issued: 06/23/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 01/17/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Volley Automation, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Boomerang Systems Incorporated
• Inventors: Barwick, Stott, Swasey, Merin, Beeny, Lance, Petersen, John A. M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Kim T
• Application Number:
  US13/948,903
• Publication Number:
  US 20130311030A1
• Time in Patent Office: 700 Days
• Field of Search: 701/23, 701/25, 701/50, 414/267, 414/279
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 17/30 the ultimate propulsive elements, e.g. ground wheels, being steerable
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 5/0418 Electric motor acting on road wheel carriers
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 7/026 characterised by comprising more than one bogie, e.g. situated in more than one plane transversal to the longitudinal centre line of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 6/00 Buildings for parking cars, rolling-stock, aircraft, vessels or like vehicles, e.g. garages
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 6/183 without transverse movement of the car after leaving the transfer means
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 6/245 without transverse movement of the wheeled parking platform after leaving the transfer means
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 6/305 using car-gripping transfer means
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 6/36 characterised by use of freely-movable dollies
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0265 using buried wires
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0297 by controlling means in a control room
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

An automated guided vehicle (AGV) adapted to follow a guide wire or the like, the AGV comprising at least one antenna in communication with a master control system and having a programmable microprocessor that enables the AGV to dynamically assume a linear, angular or skewed offset position relative to the guide wire or the like in accordance with instructions provided by the control system.

Claims

1. An automated storage system for storing a plurality of objects in storage locations, the automated storage system comprising a master control computer, a guide wire network, and a plurality of automated guided vehicles (AGVs) each having an onboard microprocessor and a wireless receiver for receiving control commands from the master control computer, wherein the master control computer dynamically instructs each AGV to assume a desired offset position relative to the guide wire network by sending control commands to the AGVs.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the storage locations are determined based on a dimensional analysis of the objects.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the storage locations are variably defined and populated based on a dimensional analysis of the objects.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of AGVs are adapted to simultaneously acquire and move multiple objects at a time.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising a use of trays for transport and storing the plurality of objects.