A surface-mounted vehicle includes a body and a mounting system configured to couple the surface-mounted vehicle to a surface. The surface-mounted vehicle also includes a propulsion system configured to move the surface-mounted vehicle along the surface. In addition, the surface-mounted vehicle includes a rail coupling system having at least one rail coupled to the body. The at least one rail is configured to couple a component to the surface-mounted vehicle. The rail coupling system also includes multiple electrical connectors disposed along the at least one rail. The electrical connectors are configured to provide electrical power to the component.

A surface-mounted vehicle includes a body and a mounting system configured to couple the surface-mounted vehicle to a surface. The surface-mounted vehicle also includes a propulsion system configured to move the surface-mounted vehicle along the surface. In addition, the surface-mounted vehicle includes a rail coupling system having at least one rail coupled to the body. The at least one rail is configured to couple a component to the surface-mounted vehicle. The rail coupling system also includes multiple electrical connectors disposed along the at least one rail. The electrical connectors are configured to provide electrical power to the component.

A conveyor system including a fixed, non-powered rail defining a conveyor path, and a plurality of automated conveyor carriers supported on the rail. Each carrier includes an on-board motor and electrical power source selectively powering the motor to drive the carrier along the rail. Each of the plurality of ACCs operates to power the on-board motor from the on-board electrical power source under the direction of instructions programmed to a local controller on the respective ACC. Wherein each of the local controllers of the respective ACCs is programmed to carry out independent power level management for its own on-board electrical power source and configured to selectively operate an adaptive low power indicator to communicate a low power status based only in part on the power level of the on-board electrical power source and further based on one or more parameters of a current work cycle.

An inventory-handling system can receive inventory containers filled with inventory items. The inventory containers can be received between guides and advanced through the inventory-handling system. The guides can be curved to rotate the inventory containers being advanced through the inventory-handling system. The inventory containers can be rotated from an upright orientation to an inverted orientation for emptying the inventory items.

Various embodiments disclosed herein provide for a storage and retrieval systems, and more specifically to a three dimensional storage and retrieval system in which storage cells featuring multiple storage locations disposed around a central void are stacked in alignment with one another such that the central voids in each stack form a central shaft by which storage/retrieval vehicles can access every storage location from upper and lower track grids above and below the stacked array of storage locations.

A conveyorized industrial system includes at least one work station including a heated oven chamber. A fixed, non-powered rail defines a conveyor path including an oven zone in which the rail extends through or over the heated oven chamber. An automated conveyor carrier (ACC) is suspended from the rail by a self-driving trolley having an on-board motor for driving the ACC along the rail, and by at least one additional free-rolling trolley. The ACC further comprises an enclosure containing one or both of an inverter and a battery, the enclosure having a wall defining an interior space of the enclosure. A heat protection system is provided in addition to the wall, the heat protection system operating to limit an internal temperature of the enclosure during transport along the oven zone.

A conveyor system including a fixed, non-powered rail defining a conveyor path, and a plurality of automated conveyor carriers supported on the rail. Each carrier includes an on-board motor, at least one wheel forming an interface with the rail, and an on-board power source selectively powering the on-board motor to drive the ACC along the rail. Each of the plurality of carriers operates to power the on-board motor from the on-board power source under the direction of instructions programmed to a local controller. Each of the local controllers is programmed with an algorithm for independent wear monitoring of the at least one wheel and further programmed to take at least one responsive action based on an identification of the at least one wheel being worn.

A method of operating a conveyor system includes providing a fixed, non-powered rail defining a conveyor path, the rail supporting first and second consecutive automated conveyor carriers (ACC), each of which includes a motor-powered self-driving trolley. First and second loads are suspended from the first and second ACCs. The first and second ACCs are driven independently along the rail by executing instructions from independent on-board controllers of the first and second ACCs, wherein a first spacing between the first and second ACCs is maintained through a first section of the rail. The first ACC is accelerated away from the second ACC to increase the spacing from the first spacing to a second spacing for navigating a second section of the rail, the second section being a curved section.

An assembly for use with a power and free conveyor comprises a track member adapted to be slidingly received by a receiver portion of a power and free conveyor power track. The track member is slidingly moveable from a first position to a second position such that, when in the first position, the proximal end is retained within the receiver portion and the distal end is proximate to a connection portion. When in the second position, the proximal end is retained within the receiver portion and there is a gap between the distal end and the connection portion. A power and free conveyor comprising the assembly is also provided. A method of servicing a power and free conveyor comprising a sliding track member is also provided.

A transport system in a fabrication facility includes a driving unit moving along a driving rail, and a steering unit selectively contacting a steering guide rail at a branching part where the driving rail branches off. The steering unit includes horizontal steering wheels contacting a vertical guide part of the steering guide rail, and vertical steering wheels contacting a horizontal guide part of the steering guide rail.