US 12,145,633 B2
Multifunctional track system with independently movable vehicles
Carl Anthony Salmon, Brooklyn, NY (US)
Appl. No. 16/966,755
Filed by Carl Anthony Salmon, Brooklyn, NY (US)
PCT Filed Feb. 1, 2019, PCT No. PCT/US2019/016249
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Jul. 31, 2020,
PCT Pub. No. WO2019/152778, PCT Pub. Date Aug. 8, 2019.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/709,784, filed on Feb. 1, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2021/0039684 A1, Feb. 11, 2021
Int. Cl. B61B 3/02 (2006.01); B25J 9/00 (2006.01); B61B 3/00 (2006.01); B61B 5/00 (2006.01); B61B 5/02 (2006.01); B61B 13/00 (2006.01); B61B 15/00 (2006.01); B61K 13/00 (2006.01); B61L 15/00 (2006.01); E01B 25/22 (2006.01); G01N 33/00 (2006.01); E01B 25/24 (2006.01); E01B 25/26 (2006.01)
CPC B61B 3/02 (2013.01) [B25J 9/0009 (2013.01); B61B 3/00 (2013.01); B61B 5/00 (2013.01); B61B 5/02 (2013.01); B61B 13/00 (2013.01); B61B 15/00 (2013.01); B61K 13/00 (2013.01); B61L 15/0018 (2013.01); E01B 25/22 (2013.01); G01N 33/0009 (2013.01); E01B 25/24 (2013.01); E01B 25/26 (2013.01)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A multifunctional track system with a plurality of independently movable trolleys thereon, comprising:
a track system comprising one or more main channels with a longitudinal axis, where each main channel has a rectangular or square cross section comprising a dorsal wall, a ventral wall, and two side walls; and wherein the ventral wall is divided by a longitudinal groove therethrough; and wherein a guide channel is positioned longitudinally along the interior surface of the dorsal wall of each main channel, and wherein the main channels have one or more crossover sections;
wherein two or more independently movable trolleys are provided that move in either direction on the track system, wherein each trolley comprises a drive unit positioned within a main channel, an operational unit hosting one or more sensory or mechanical devices;
wherein the drive unit has at least four wheels and a support member with a contact member extending into the guide channel, and wherein at least one of the wheels is a drive wheel that provides motive power to move the trolley in either direction in the track system;
wherein the trolleys can change channels at a crossover section;
wherein a at least two electrical conductors in the guide channel deliver electric power to each trolley;
wherein each trolley is adapted to receive and transmit data pertaining to the position of the trolley, instructions on the movement of the trolley within the track system, and control or reporting data for the sensory device or operational device in the operating section; and
wherein the track system has one or more data control stations, and wherein each trolley and the track system can send and receive data to and from a data control station.