Rail system for a powered pallet conveyor

Abstract

A rail system for a powered pallet conveyor, which comprises alternative pathways having an electric cable provided on at least one of n parallel rails defining a travel pathway, wherein n≧2, whereby the rail system includes a switch for switching between m alternative travel pathways, wherein m≧2, and allowing the vehicle to continuously move across the switch after switching, said switch comprising a first actuator for selectively positioning (m*n) rigid rail portions bridging the distance between rail ends at (i) n joining points where the n parallel rails of each of the m alternative travel pathways subject to switching converge, and (ii) (m*n) continuation points where each alternative pathway subject to switching diverges downstream from the joining points. A second actuator selectively positions [m(n−1)] rigid rail portions bridging the distance between rail ends, where each alternative pathway is discontinued downstream from the corresponding continuation points.

1 : A rail system for a powered pallet conveyor, which comprises alternative pathways for a vehicle traveling along an electric cable provided on at least one of n parallel rails defining a travel pathway, wherein n≧2, whereby the rail system includes a switch for switching between m alternative travel pathways, wherein m≧2, and allowing the vehicle to continuously move across the switch after switching, said switch comprising:
 (a) a first actuator for selectively positioning (m*n) rigid rail portions bridging the distance between rail ends optionally holding cable ends at:
 (i) n joining points where the n parallel rails of each of the m alternative travel pathways subject to switching converge, and 
 (ii) (m*n) continuation points where each alternative pathway subject to switching diverges downstream from the joining points, and 
   (b) a second actuator for selectively positioning [m(n−1)] rigid rail portions bridging the distance between rail ends optionally holding cable ends at crossing portions, where each alternative pathway subject to switching is discontinued downstream from the corresponding continuation points;   whereby the positioning of a set of n rigid rail portions by the first actuator and the positioning of (n−1) rigid rail portions by the second actuator provides a travel pathway allowing the vehicle to continuously travel across the switch along the electric cable means provided on at least one of n parallel rails defining the travel pathway.   
   
   
       2 : The rail system according to  claim 1 , wherein n is 2. 
   
   
       3 : The rail system according to either  claim 1  or  2 , wherein m is 2. 
   
   
       4 : The rail system according to  claim 1  or  2 , wherein the first actuator is a shifting frame. 
   
   
       5 : The rail system according to  claim 1  or  2 , wherein the second actuator is a shifting frame. 
   
   
       6 : The rail system according to  claim 1  or  2 , wherein the pathways are mounted on the floor. 
   
   
       7 : The rail system according to  claim 1  or  2 , further comprising determining the position of a vehicle and communicating the position to a control. 
   
   
       8 : A process for operating a switch of a rail system for a powered pallet conveyor as defined by  claim 1 , which comprises the steps of:
 (a) selecting one of n alternative pathways;   (b) positioning n rigid rail portions for bridging the distance between:
 (i) n joining points where the m alternative travel pathways subject to switching coincide, and 
 (ii) n continuation points of the selected travel pathway downstream from the joining points; and 
   (c) positioning n−1 rigid rail portions for bridging the distance between rail ends optionally holding cable ends at crossing portions where each alternative pathway subject to switching is discontinued downstream from the corresponding continuation points;   thereby providing the selected pathway allowing the vehicle to travel along an electric cable provided along at least one of n parallel rails defining the selected pathway.