US 12,115,860 B2
Linear motor transport for packaging and other uses
Tracy M. Clark, Devens, MA (US); Todd S. Webber, Boxborough, MA (US); Michael Bottasso, Maynard, MA (US); Robert Mosher, Weston, MA (US); and Nathan King, Ayer, MA (US)
Assigned to Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc., Mayfield Heights, OH (US)
Filed by Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc., Mayfield Heights, OH (US)
Filed on Oct. 28, 2020, as Appl. No. 17/082,837.
Application 15/711,647 is a division of application No. 14/491,274, filed on Sep. 19, 2014, granted, now 9,802,507, issued on Oct. 31, 2017.
Application 17/082,837 is a continuation of application No. 16/673,106, filed on Nov. 4, 2019, granted, now 10,821,837.
Application 16/673,106 is a continuation of application No. 15/711,647, filed on Sep. 21, 2017, granted, now 10,479,216, issued on Nov. 19, 2019.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/880,910, filed on Sep. 21, 2013.
Prior Publication US 2021/0039502 A1, Feb. 11, 2021
Int. Cl. B60L 13/03 (2006.01); B60L 13/00 (2006.01); B60L 13/10 (2006.01); B60L 15/00 (2006.01)
CPC B60L 13/03 (2013.01) [B60L 13/003 (2013.01); B60L 13/10 (2013.01); B60L 15/005 (2013.01); Y02T 10/64 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A transport system comprising:
at least one linear synchronous motor guideway in or on which one or more vehicles are propelled;
a plurality of vehicles mounted on the guideway, each vehicle including:
a frame which includes a web having two opposing side walls, and
magnets on both opposing side walls of the web;
wherein the guideway comprises one or more modules, each module comprising a plurality of propulsion coils that, in operation, exert a propulsive force of substance on the magnets of the vehicles, and
wherein the plurality of propulsion coils are disposed at least one side of and in laterally facing relation to the magnets on a respective side of the vehicles; and
wherein each vehicle comprises an upper structure for carrying a payload, an upper wheel above the magnets, and a lower wheel below the magnets, the upper and lower wheels, in operation, contacting the guideway as the respective vehicle is propelled along the guideway.