Harnischfeger Engineers Inc.

Charles R Kroll

Keith O Jurkowski

Eric C Blom

John Briggs

An elevated track network guides self-propelled guided vehicles (with containers thereon) from an entry location where objects enter the system, to a storage zone defined by sets of compartmentalized storage racks wherein containers filled with objects are temporarily stored, and from thence to an exit location where retrieved objects leave the system. Each set of storage racks comprise four racks and two aisles, with two of the racks arranged back-to-back between the aisles and the other two racks on opposite sides of the aisles. Each storage rack comprises storage compartments arranged in horizontal rows and vertical columns. A track in the track network extends through and along an intermediate row in one of the back-to-back racks (pre-empting the compartments in that row). Each aisle accommodates a self-propelled aisle crane which services the racks on both sides of the aisle. Each crane comprises a chassis movable along its aisle to any column, a carriage vertically movable on the chassis to any row, and an extendable/retractable shuttle on the carriage for storing and retrieving objects in the compartments. The shuttle has a 'home position' intermediate the opposite ends of its associated racks and intermediate the tops and bottoms of those racks. A guided vehicle is directed to an unloading/loading zone on the track, which zone is adjacent the shuttle's home position and whereat objects can be exchanged between the guided vehicle and the shuttle when the latter is extended. In one embodiment the loading zone has two regions, each accessible to only one shuttle. One region is on the track and the other region is on a short spur track switchably connected to the main track inside a portion of the adjacent row of the other of the two back-to-back racks. In a second embodiment the same loading zone is accessible to both shuttles. In a third embodiment two separate tracks and loading zones are provided, one for each aisle crane. Control means operate the guided vehicles, aisle cranes and shuttles in desired sequences.

Growing community of inventors

Delafield, WI, United States of America

Charles R Kroll