The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 02, 1997
Filed:
Sep. 06, 1995
Charles E Miller, Ann Arbor, MI (US);
John Strand, Ann Arbor, MI (US);
James J Gould, Ann Arbor, MI (US);
Symorex, Ltd., Ann Arbor, MI (US);
Abstract
An automated material handling system including one or more train assemblies moving along a rail with each train assembly including a locomotive pulling a plurality of trolley cars. The locomotive includes a front truck adapted for movement along the rail; a rear truck adapted for movement along the rail in spaced trailing relation to the front truck; a body structure mounted on and extending between the front and rear trucks; a tractor positioned between the front and rear trucks, disassociated from the body structure, and including a motor and a traction drive wheel driven by the motor and adapted to drivingly engage the rail; and a link pivotally interconnecting the tractor and the rear truck. The body structure defines a central downwardly opening compartment between the front and rear trucks and the tractor is positioned in the compartment. The tractor is thus free to essentially independently perform the pulling function for the train without concern for the carrying function of the locomotive. The tractor also includes a guide wheel coacting with the drive wheel of the locomotive to exert a clamping force on the rail and a traction control mechanism operative in response to variations in the draft load applied to the tractor by the associated train to vary the clamping force and thereby the locomotive traction.