Air cushioned materials handling system
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A system comprising:
- a utility floor;
a first wireless power unit at or below the utility floor, the first wireless power unit configured to transmit power;
a first aperture configured to emit air at a surface of the utility floor;
a second aperture configured to emit air at the surface of the utility floor;
a sensor to provide position data indicative of a position of a tote over a portion of the utility floor containing one or more of the first aperture or the second aperture;
an air source configured to deliver a flow of air;
a first air reservoir coupled to the air source and coupled to the first aperture, the first air reservoir configured to direct at least a portion of the flow of air received from the air source through the first aperture to the utility floor;
a second air reservoir coupled to the air source and coupled to the second aperture, the second air reservoir configured to direct at least a portion of the flow of air received from the air source through the second aperture to the utility floor;
a switching manifold configured to selectively direct at least a portion of the flow of air from the air source to one or more of the first air reservoir or the second air reservoir; and
a switching manifold controller configured to operate the switching manifold to direct a portion of air from the air source to the one or more of the first air reservoir or the second air reservoir, responsive to the position data, to provide air from apertures beneath at least a portion of the tote.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Described are systems for a materials handling facility to emit air from a floor which is used to generate an air cushion upon which one or more totes may move. The floor may contain one or more apertures which receive air from an air reservoir which is supplied by an air source such as a compressor. Air emitted by these apertures is constrained by a deck of the tote, forming an air cushion upon which the tote rests. In some implementations the air cushion may be maintained while a user is within a threshold distance, and discontinued when the user is beyond the threshold distance.
59 Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A system comprising:
-
a utility floor; a first wireless power unit at or below the utility floor, the first wireless power unit configured to transmit power; a first aperture configured to emit air at a surface of the utility floor; a second aperture configured to emit air at the surface of the utility floor; a sensor to provide position data indicative of a position of a tote over a portion of the utility floor containing one or more of the first aperture or the second aperture; an air source configured to deliver a flow of air; a first air reservoir coupled to the air source and coupled to the first aperture, the first air reservoir configured to direct at least a portion of the flow of air received from the air source through the first aperture to the utility floor; a second air reservoir coupled to the air source and coupled to the second aperture, the second air reservoir configured to direct at least a portion of the flow of air received from the air source through the second aperture to the utility floor; a switching manifold configured to selectively direct at least a portion of the flow of air from the air source to one or more of the first air reservoir or the second air reservoir; and a switching manifold controller configured to operate the switching manifold to direct a portion of air from the air source to the one or more of the first air reservoir or the second air reservoir, responsive to the position data, to provide air from apertures beneath at least a portion of the tote. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
-
-
5. A system comprising:
-
a utility floor; a first aperture configured to emit air at a surface of the utility floor; a second aperture configured to emit air at the surface of the utility floor; a sensor to provide position data indicative of a position of a tote over a portion of the utility floor containing one or more of the first aperture or the second aperture; an air source configured to deliver a flow of air; a first air reservoir coupled to the air source and coupled to the first aperture, the first air reservoir configured to direct at least a portion of the flow of air received from the air source through the first aperture to the utility floor; a second air reservoir coupled to the air source and coupled to the second aperture, the second air reservoir configured to direct at least a portion of the flow of air received from the air source through the second aperture to the utility floor; a switching manifold configured to selectively direct at least a portion of the flow of air from the air source to one or more of the first air reservoir or the second air reservoir; and a switching manifold controller configured to operate the switching manifold to direct a portion of air from the air source to the one or more of the first air reservoir or the second air reservoir, responsive to the position data, to provide air from apertures beneath at least a portion of the tote. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
-
-
16. A system comprising:
-
a utility floor; a first aperture configured to emit air at a surface of the utility floor; a second aperture configured to emit air at the surface of the utility floor; an air source configured to deliver a flow of air; a first air reservoir coupled to the air source and coupled to the first aperture, the first air reservoir configured to direct at least a portion of the flow of air received from the air source through the first aperture to the utility floor; a second air reservoir coupled to the air source and coupled to the second aperture, the second air reservoir configured to direct at least a portion of the flow of air received from the air source through the second aperture to the utility floor; a switching manifold configured to selectively direct at least a portion of the flow of air from the air source to one or more of the first air reservoir or the second air reservoir; and a first wireless power unit at or below the utility floor, the first wireless power unit configured to transmit power. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
-
Specification