Modular manufacturing chain including a utility transfer module and method of operation therefor

• US 20090277745A1
• Filed: 05/09/2008
• Published: 11/12/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/09/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Inventors: Dietz, Mark E., Spangler, John M.
• Granted Patent: US 8,360,225 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 198/345.300
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 2207/30 Modular constructions
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 35/066 the bar or the tube being provided with a helical or annular channel

Abstract

A manufacturing chain includes a plurality of manufacturing modules positioned in series. Each of the manufacturing modules includes a utility transfer module for transferring at least one of electric power, fluid, and data through the manufacturing module. Each utility transfer module includes an entry port for engaging a utility transfer module of a preceding manufacturing module and an exit port for engaging a utility transfer module of a succeeding manufacturing module.

Claims

1. A manufacturing chain, comprising:

a plurality of manufacturing modules positioned in series;

wherein each of the manufacturing modules includes a utility transfer module for transferring at least one of electric power, fluid, and data through the manufacturing module; and

wherein each utility transfer module includes an entry port for engaging a utility transfer module of a preceding manufacturing module and an exit port for engaging a utility transfer module of a succeeding manufacturing module.

2. The manufacturing chain of claim 1, wherein each utility transfer module further includes an external port for engaging an external utility connection.

3. The manufacturing chain of claim 2, wherein the external utility connection includes a source of the at least one of electric power, fluid, and data.

4. The manufacturing chain of claim 2, further including a building defining a manufacturing area, wherein the manufacturing chain is disposed within the manufacturing area, wherein the external utility connection is disposed outside the manufacturing area.

5. The manufacturing chain of claim 2, wherein each utility transfer module further includes at least one equipment port for accessing the at least one of electric power, fluid, and data transferred through the manufacturing module.

6. The manufacturing chain of claim 5, further including at least one modular manufacturing station disposed within each manufacturing module.

7. The manufacturing chain of claim 6, wherein the modular manufacturing station includes a piece of manufacturing equipment having a quick connect coupling member for engaging the at least one equipment port.

8. The manufacturing chain of claim 6, wherein the modular manufacturing station includes an article transportation device having a quick connect coupling member for engaging the at least one equipment port.

9. The manufacturing chain of claim 6, wherein the modular manufacturing station includes a station control system having a quick connect coupling member for engaging the at least one equipment port.

10. A manufacturing module, comprising:

a plurality of beams forming a skeleton and defining an entry and an exit of the manufacturing module;

at least one modular manufacturing station disposed between the entry and the exit, wherein the modular manufacturing station includes an article transportation device supported by at least one of the beams; and

a utility transfer module supported by at least one of the beams for transferring at least one of electric power, fluid, and data through the manufacturing module, and wherein the utility transfer module includes at least an entry port, an exit port, an external port, and an equipment port.

11. The manufacturing module of claim 10, wherein the external port is configured to engage an external utility connection.

12. The manufacturing module of claim 11, wherein the external utility connection includes a source of the at least one of electric power, fluid, and data.

13. The manufacturing module of claim 11, further including a building defining a manufacturing area, wherein the manufacturing module is disposed within the manufacturing area, and wherein the external utility connection is disposed outside the manufacturing area.

14. The manufacturing module of claim 11, wherein the article transportation device includes a quick connect coupling member for engaging a first equipment port.

15. The manufacturing module of claim 14, wherein the modular manufacturing station further includes a piece of manufacturing equipment having a quick connect coupling member for engaging a second equipment port.

16. The manufacturing module of claim 15, wherein the modular manufacturing station further includes a station control system having a quick connect coupling member for engaging a third equipment port.

17. A method for operating a manufacturing chain having a plurality of manufacturing modules connected in series, comprising:

advancing at least one carrier from a beginning of the manufacturing chain to an end of the manufacturing chain;

wherein the advancing step includes supplying a utility to a utility transfer module of a first manufacturing module, transferring the utility through a utility transfer module of a second manufacturing module, and using the utility at a third manufacturing module; and

wherein the first manufacturing module and the second manufacturing module are contiguous, and the second manufacturing module and the third manufacturing module are contiguous.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the supplying step includes connecting an external port of the utility transfer module of the first manufacturing module to an external utility connection.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the supplying step further includes connecting the external port to a source of at least one of electric power, fluid, and data located outside of a manufacturing area, wherein the manufacturing chain is disposed within the manufacturing area.

20. The method of claim 17, further including transmitting a data communication to the utility transfer module of the first manufacturing module, transferring the data communication through the utility transfer module of the second manufacturing module, and receiving the data communication at the third manufacturing module.