A motorized container carrier can be configured to travel along a suspended railway. The motorized container carrier can include at least one motorized trolley configured to move the motorized container carrier along the suspended railway. The motorized container carrier can include a plurality of end beams with container engagement devices configured to interact with containers of various lengths. In some embodiments, the container engagement devices are twist locks. The motorized container carrier can include a system of bumpers and/or guide wheels.

For providing a reliable determination of the position of an object (1) regarding a relative movement between the object (1) and a path (2) an apparatus is provided comprising: a detector (3) attached to or integrated in the object (1), at least one marker (4) being located along the path (2), wherein the at least one marker (4) is detected by the detector (3) within its spatial detection range (5) for determining the position of the object (1) relative to the marker (4), characterized by generating means for providing a definable signal or signal sequence or graphic representation (7, 8) or graphic representation sequence, wherein said signal or signal sequence or graphic representation (7, 8) or graphic representation sequence is detected by the detector (3) within its spatial detection range (5), and by evaluating means (6) for verifying a coincidence or relationship of the provided signal or signal sequence or graphic representation (7, 8) or graphic representation sequence with corresponding data detected by the detector (3). Further, a corresponding method is claimed.

For providing a reliable determination of the position of an object (1) regarding a relative movement between the object (1) and a path (2) an apparatus is provided comprising: a detector (3) attached to or integrated in the object (1), at least one marker (4) being located along the path (2), wherein the at least one marker (4) is detected by the detector (3) within its spatial detection range (5) for determining the position of the object (1) relative to the marker (4), characterized by generating means for providing a definable signal or signal sequence or graphic representation (7, 8) or graphic representation sequence, wherein said signal or signal sequence or graphic representation (7, 8) or graphic representation sequence is detected by the detector (3) within its spatial detection range (5), and by evaluating means (6) for verifying a coincidence or relationship of the provided signal or signal sequence or graphic representation (7, 8) or graphic representation sequence with corresponding data detected by the detector (3). Further, a corresponding method is claimed.

A robotic service device is described for use on a robotic picking system grid. The robotic service device is capable of driving to any location on the grid order to perform maintenance operations or cleaning. Additionally, the service device may be used to rescue robotic load handling devices operational in the picking system. The robotic service device may include a releasable docking mechanism to enable it to dock and latch on to malfunctioning load handling devices. The service device may also be provided with cleaning capability and a camera to enable the condition of the grid and other robotic devices to be monitored.

A robotic service device is described for use on a robotic picking system grid. The robotic service device is capable of driving to any location on the grid order to perform maintenance operations or cleaning. Additionally, the service device may be used to rescue robotic load handling devices operational in the picking system. The robotic service device may include a releasable docking mechanism to enable it to dock and latch on to malfunctioning load handling devices. The service device may also be provided with cleaning capability and a camera to enable the condition of the grid and other robotic devices to be monitored.

A self-maintaining crane system including a bridge, a trolley, a hoist, and sensors for use within a hostile environment, such as a wastewater treatment facility, is presented. The bridge is movable along a pair of runway rails. The trolley is movable between the runway rails. The hoist with extendable-retractable cable is movable with the trolley. Bridge sensors determine whether the bridge has engaged home and end positions. Trolley sensors determine whether the trolley has engaged home and end positions. The bridge and the trolley are movable between home and end positions. Hoist sensors determine whether the cable has engaged a hoist home position and a hoist end position. The cable is extendable away from the home position and retractable toward the end position. Sensors facilitate automated movement of bridge, trolley, and cable so as to minimize functional impairment of the crane system by the hostile environment.

A self-maintaining crane system including a bridge, a trolley, a hoist, and sensors for use within a hostile environment, such as a wastewater treatment facility, is presented. The bridge is movable along a pair of runway rails. The trolley is movable between the runway rails. The hoist with extendable-retractable cable is movable with the trolley. Bridge sensors determine whether the bridge has engaged home and end positions. Trolley sensors determine whether the trolley has engaged home and end positions. The bridge and the trolley are movable between home and end positions. Hoist sensors determine whether the cable has engaged a hoist home position and a hoist end position. The cable is extendable away from the home position and retractable toward the end position. Sensors facilitate automated movement of bridge, trolley, and cable so as to minimize functional impairment of the crane system by the hostile environment.

An overhead hoist transfer (OHT) apparatus, a guiding device of the OHT apparatus, and a direction maintaining module of the OHT apparatus are provided. The direction maintaining module includes a main channel, a first retaining channel and a second retaining channel that are spaced apart from the main channel, a switch channel, and a switching mechanism connected to the switch channel. The switch channel is disposed among the main channel, the first channel, and the second channel. The switching mechanism is configured to drive the switch channel to move between a turning position and a straight position. When the switch channel is at the turning position, the switch channel connects the main channel and the first retaining channel. When the switch channel is at the straight position, the switch channel connects the main channel and the second retaining channel.

An overhead hoist transfer (OHT) apparatus, a guiding device of the OHT apparatus, and a direction maintaining module of the OHT apparatus are provided. The direction maintaining module includes a main channel, a first retaining channel and a second retaining channel that are spaced apart from the main channel, a switch channel, and a switching mechanism connected to the switch channel. The switch channel is disposed among the main channel, the first channel, and the second channel. The switching mechanism is configured to drive the switch channel to move between a turning position and a straight position. When the switch channel is at the turning position, the switch channel connects the main channel and the first retaining channel. When the switch channel is at the straight position, the switch channel connects the main channel and the second retaining channel.

An overhead hoist transfer (OHT) apparatus and a differential overhead trolley thereof are provided. The OHT apparatus includes a rail module and a differential overhead trolley. The rail module includes a main rail and a first rail, and defines a turning path extending from the main rail to the first rail. The differential overhead trolley is movably disposed on the rail module, and includes a walking mechanism and a carrying body that is hung on the rail module by being connected to the walking mechanism. The walking mechanism includes two differential wheels and a driving unit that is connected to the two differential wheels. When the differential overhead trolley is moved along the turning path, the driving unit is configured to drive the two differential wheels to move along the first rail by different rolling velocities.