Contour adapting active particulate collection system

Abstract

A contour-adaptive particulate material collecting system and method of utilization thereof employed in a facility for the cleaning of an overhead support rail for overhead transport (OHT) vehicles, utilizing a cleaning apparatus which is coupled to an existing overhead transportation vehicle so as to be towed thereby, and wherein the apparatus removes foreign or contaminant materials (FM) from the overhead support rail, which is produced during operation of the facility and by normal wear from internal moving components of the OHT vehicle during operation of the latter.

1 . A system for cleaning an overhead support rail for an overhead transport vehicle being conveyed along said rail; said cleaning system comprising: 
 a rail cleaner apparatus arranged on said overhead support rail for travel therealong proximate to said overhead transport vehicle, said rail cleaner apparatus including structure for cleaning debris and contaminants from said rail; and    a coupling arrangement forming a connection between said overhead transport vehicle and said rail cleaner apparatus whereby movement of said overhead transport vehicle along said rail imparts a concurrent movement to said rail cleaner apparatus along said rail so as to simultaneously cause said rail cleaner apparatus to impart a cleaning action thereto.    
   
   
       2 . A system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said rail cleaner apparatus comprises a trolley structure having wheels supporting said rail cleaner apparatus for rolling travel along said overhead transport rail, said trolley structure including vacuum-generating means for aspirating said debris and contaminants from said overhead transport rail.  
   
   
       3 . A system as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein a support frame is connected to said trolley structure, said vacuum-generating means comprising a vacuum receptacle arranged in said support frames and a vacuum hose connecting said trolley structure with said receptacle.  
   
   
       4 . A system as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein said trolley structure includes a sponge wiper contacting said overhead transport rail for wiping debris and contaminants from the surface of said rail.  
   
   
       5 . A system as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein said trolley structure includes a vacuum nozzle proximate said sponge wiper, said vacuum hose communicating with an opening of said vacuum nozzle for aspiring said wiped debris and contaminants into said vacuum receptacle.  
   
   
       6 . A system as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein said trolley structure includes a brush contacting said overhead transport rail for brushing debris and contaminants from the surface of said rail.  
   
   
       7 . A system as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein said trolley structure includes a vacuum nozzle adjacent to said brush, said vacuum hose communicating with an opening of said vacuum nozzle for aspirating said brushed debris and contaminants into said vacuum receptacle.  
   
   
       8 . A system as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein said vacuum-generating means is supplied with operating energy from a main power supply for said overhead transport vehicle.  
   
   
       9 . A system as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein said vacuum-generating means is energized by a self-contained power supply from a rechargeable battery independently of said overhead transport vehicle.  
   
   
       10 . A system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said coupling arrangement comprises a towing bar connecting said overhead transport vehicle and said rail cleaner apparatus for fixedly coupled travel along said overhead transport rail.  
   
   
       11 . A method of cleaning an overhead support rail for an overhead transport vehicle being conveyed along said rail; said cleaning method comprising: 
 arranging rail cleaner apparatus on said overhead support rail for travel therealong proximate to said overhead transport vehicle, said rail cleaner apparatus including structure for cleaning debris and contaminants from said rail; and    providing a coupling arrangement forming a connection between said overhead transport vehicle and said rail cleaner apparatus whereby movement of said overhead transport vehicle along said rail imparts a concurrent movement to said rail cleaner apparatus along said rail so as to simultaneously cause said rail cleaner apparatus to impart a cleaning action thereto.    
   
   
       12 . A method as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein said rail cleaner apparatus comprises a trolley structure having wheels supporting said rail cleaner apparatus for rolling travel along said overhead transport rail, said trolley structure including vacuum-generating means for aspirating said debris and contaminants from said overhead transport rail.  
   
   
       13 . A method as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein a support frame is connected to said trolley structure, said vacuum-generating means comprising a vacuum receptacle arranged in said support frames and a vacuum hose connecting said trolley structure with said receptacle.  
   
   
       14 . A method as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein said trolley structure includes a sponge wiper contacting said overhead transport rail for wiping debris and contaminants from the surface of said rail.  
   
   
       15 . A method as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein said trolley structure includes a vacuum nozzle proximate said sponge wiper, said vacuum hose communicating with an opening of said vacuum nozzle for aspiring said wiped debris and contaminants into said vacuum receptacle.  
   
   
       16 . A method as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein said trolley structure includes a brush contacting said overhead transport rail for brushing debris and contaminants from the surface of said rail.  
   
   
       17 . A method as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein said trolley structure includes a vacuum nozzle adjacent to said brush, said vacuum hose communicating with an opening of said vacuum nozzle for aspirating said brushed debris and contaminants into said vacuum receptacle.  
   
   
       18 . A method as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein said vacuum-generating means is supplied with operating energy from a main power supply for said overhead transport vehicle.  
   
   
       19 . A method as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein said vacuum-generating means is energized by a self-contained power supply from a rechargeable battery independently of said overhead transport vehicle.  
   
   
       20 . A method as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein said coupling arrangement comprises providing a towing bar connecting said overhead transport vehicle and said rail cleaner apparatus for fixedly coupled travel along said overhead transport rail.