Amazon Technologies, Inc.

Vivek S Narayanan

Ganesh Krishnamoorthy

Rajeev Dwivedi

Mohit Malik

Michael Alan Bray

Shahid Azad

Jon Stuart Battles

Max Alfonso Bruccoleri

Kevin W Keck

Sean O Maylone

Syama Prasad Suprasadachandran Pillai

Erika Regan Storvick

Vishal Mangesh Shanbhag

Sudhakar Teegavarapu

Michael D Assadi

Jerry Bullard

Daniel Lais

Raja Santosh Akella

Systems and methods are disclosed for systems and methods for container shuttle calibration. An example method for calibration of a shuttle coupled to a permanent magnet may include positioning the shuttle on a calibration table, energizing an electromagnet coupled to the calibration table, and determining a detected edge of the permanent magnet. Some methods may include determining a first location to position a connector of the shuttle along an X-axis based at least in part on the detected edge and a mechanical template coupled to the calibration table, and securing the connector in the first location.

Systems and methods for container shuttle calibration

Systems and methods are disclosed for wireless powering and control of conveyors on shuttles. An example system may include a track, and a shuttle configured to move along the track, the shuttle having a conveyor, and a first induction coil. The system may include a second induction coil disposed at a first location along the track, where the second induction coil is configured to interact with the first induction coil to power the conveyor. The shuttle may not have an onboard power source coupled to the conveyor.

Wireless powering and control of conveyors on shuttles

Systems and methods are disclosed for rapid braking of shuttles powered by electromagnets. An example system may include a first brake coupled to a track at a first location, the first brake including a first housing, a first retractable pin, a second retractable pin, a first actuator configured to actuate one or more of the first retractable pin and the second retractable pin from a retracted position to an extended position, a second actuator configured to actuate one or more of the first retractable pin and the second retractable pin from the extended position to the retracted position, and a first controller configured to control operation of the first brake.

Rapid braking of shuttles powered by electromagnets

Systems and methods are disclosed for automated self-calibration and maintenance for container shuttles. An example system for automated repairs may include a track, a shuttle coupled to a permanent magnet, the shuttle configured to move along the track, and an electromagnet disposed along the track, where the shuttle is propelled via interaction between the electromagnet and the permanent magnet. The system may include a maintenance area accessible via the track, and a set of robotic manipulators disposed about the maintenance area, the set of robotic manipulators configured to perform automated maintenance actions on the shuttle. The system may include a first controller configured to determine that the shuttle is in need of maintenance, and automatically direct the shuttle to the maintenance area.

Automated self-calibration and maintenance for container shuttles

Systems and methods are disclosed for elevators for material handling shuttles. In one embodiment, an example system configured to change elevation of a shuttle may include an elevator track disposed between a loading zone and an unloading zone, and a platform coupled to the elevator track and configured to move between the loading zone and the unloading zone. The platform may be configured to engage with a lower surface of the shuttle at the loading zone. The platform may be configured to lift the shuttle off a first set of rails at the loading zone, and to position the shuttle onto a second set of rails at the unloading zone.

Elevators for material handling shuttles

Systems, methods, and apparatuses are disclosed for helical container conveyance. In one embodiment, an example container conveyance system may include a set of rails having a first rail and a second rail, the set of rails configured to guide a container from an upright position at a first point along the set of rails to an inverted position at a second point along the set of rails. The system may include a drive mechanism configured to propel the container along the set of rails, and a conveyor disposed under a portion of the set of rails corresponding to the second point.

Helical container conveyance systems

Systems, methods, and apparatuses are disclosed for automated securing and releasing of items on shuttles. In one embodiment, an example item sortation system may include a shuttle having a conveyor, a first gate portion having a second width that is about half a first width of the conveyor, a second gate portion having the second width, an optional third gate portion having the second width, and an optional fourth gate portion having the second width, wherein the third gate portion and the fourth gate portion are disposed at a second side of the conveyor. The first gate portion, the second gate portion, the third gate portion, and the fourth gate portion may be configured to: (i) secure the at least one item on the conveyor during transport, and (ii) guide the at least one item along the conveyor when the item is unloaded.

Automated securing and releasing of items on shuttles

Systems and methods are disclosed for container shuttles having omnidirectional wheels. In one embodiment, an example system for shuttle transportation may include a first linear synchronous motor arranged in a first orientation, a second linear synchronous motor arranged in a second orientation that is offset with respect to the first linear synchronous motor, and a shuttle having a permanent magnet and a plurality of omnidirectional wheels. The shuttle may be configured to be propelled in a first direction via the first linear synchronous motor and the permanent magnet, and to be propelled in a second direction via the second linear synchronous motor and the permanent magnet.

Container shuttles having omnidirectional wheels

Systems and methods are disclosed for contactless powering and control of conveyors on shuttles. An example system may include a track, a first transmitter disposed at a first location along the track, the first transmitter configured to transmit power and data wirelessly, and a shuttle configured to move along the track. The shuttle may include a conveyor, and a first receiver configured to wirelessly receive the power and the data from the first transmitter, where the power is used to power the conveyor. The shuttle may not have an onboard power source coupled to the conveyor.

Contactless powering and control of conveyors on shuttles

Systems and methods are disclosed for interconnected sortation systems with multiple inputs and destinations. In one embodiment, an example system may include a first sortation system, a second sortation system, a first induction station to induct items into the system, and a second induction station to induct items into the system. The system may include a track configured to connect the first sortation system to both the first induction station and the second induction station, and to connect the second sortation system to both the first induction station and the second induction station. The system may include a number of shuttles configured to move along the track.

Interconnected sortation systems with multiple inputs and destinations

Systems and methods are disclosed for shuttle turning systems having linear synchronous motors. In one embodiment, an example system for shuttle transportation may include a first linear synchronous motor arranged in a first orientation, a second linear synchronous motor arranged in a second orientation that is transverse to the first orientation, and a shuttle. The shuttle may have a first permanent magnet coupled to the shuttle and a second permanent magnet coupled to the shuttle, where the first permanent magnet is arranged parallel to the first orientation and the second permanent magnet is arranged parallel to the second orientation. The shuttle may be configured to be propelled in a first direction via the first linear synchronous motor and the first permanent magnet, and to be propelled in a second direction via the second linear synchronous motor and the second linear synchronous motor.

Systems and methods to perform perpendicular changes in container shuttle direction

Systems, methods, and apparatuses are disclosed for external mobility systems for heavy machinery and equipment. In one embodiment, an example system may include a first module, a second module coupled to the first module, and a third module coupled to the first module and the second module. Systems may include an air bearing system disposed under the third module, where the air bearing system is configured to apply an upward force on the third module, and an air supply coupled to the air bearing system. The upward force on the third module may reduce a static friction of the third module with respect to a floor surface by at least 90%, such that the third module can slide from a default position to an expanded position.

External mobility systems for heavy machinery and equipment

Item singulation systems and methods may include an input conveyor, a vision system, and an output conveyor that receives items from the input conveyor. The vision system may determine individual columns of items from among a plurality of items on the input conveyor. Operations of the input conveyor and output conveyor may be controlled substantially as a pull system to transfer individual columns of items to the output conveyor, such that singulated items can be transferred by the output conveyor to downstream processes.

Item singulation systems using vision systems to transfer columns of items to downstream conveyors

Systems, methods, and apparatuses are disclosed for automated container retrieval and delivery systems. In one embodiment, an example container handling system may include a platform, a first rotatable arm disposed on a lower side of the platform, where the first rotatable arm is offset from a front end of the platform, a motor configured to rotate the first rotatable arm from a first position to a second position, and a first wheel disposed at a distal end of the first rotatable arm. The container handling system may be configured to raise a container from an angled position to a horizontal position, and the container may be in the horizontal position when the first rotatable arm is in the second position.

Growing community of inventors

Sammamish, WA, United States of America

Vivek S Narayanan