US 12,466,659 B2
Linear motor conveyor system with alternate drive
Blake Robert Lambert, Cambridge (CA); and Albert John Kleinikkink, Cambridge (CA)
Filed by ATS Corporation, Cambridge (CA)
Filed on Sep. 14, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/466,951.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/406,505, filed on Sep. 14, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2024/0083686 A1, Mar. 14, 2024
Int. Cl. B65G 23/23 (2006.01); B65G 23/02 (2006.01); B65G 54/02 (2006.01)
CPC B65G 23/23 (2013.01) [B65G 23/02 (2013.01); B65G 54/02 (2013.01); B65G 2205/00 (2013.01); B65G 2811/092 (2013.01)] 15 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A linear motor conveyor system with alternate drive, the system comprising:
at least one linear motor track section;
at least one alternate drive track section having the same configuration as the linear motor track section and configured to connect with the linear motor track section but incorporating an alternate drive mechanism;
a plurality of moving elements configured to move along the linear motor track section and alternate drive track section; and
a control system for controlling the plurality of moving elements to move on the linear motor track section and the alternate drive track section,
wherein the alternate drive track section comprises:
a frame that is similar to a frame of the linear motor track section; and
one or more rails that are similar to one or more rails of the linear motor track section,
wherein the alternate drive mechanism is a simplified linear motor.