A method for turning a pinion-driven lift-robot in an intersection of rails. Moving the pinion-driven lift-robot in a first motion mode to position the pinion-driven lift-robot in a first position at the intersection. The pinion-driven lift-robot is turned over a corner of the intersection that is accessible from the first position and that includes continuous rails connecting a vertical track and a horizontal track, whereby positioning the pinion-driven lift-robot in a second position at the intersection. The pinion-driven lift-robot is moved in a second motion mode towards a designated direction.

A direction switching module for lift robots using a pair of pinions coupled to a rack for propelling vertically and horizontally according to the track's orientation, is disclosed. In a linear motion mode both pinions rotate in the same velocity. In a direction switching mode, when changing from vertical to horizontal motion mode and vise versa, the module is capable of propelling one pinion on a vertical track and its counterpart on a horizontal track, simultaneously, each pinion in a different velocity. A bogie propelled by two pairs of said module is also disclosed, and a controller configured to drive both pinions in same velocity during linear motion and each pinion in a separate appropriate velocity during the direction switching mode. A method for turning a pinion-driven lift-robot in an intersection of rails and a controller for controlling the linear motion modes and the direction switching modes of the lift robot are also disclosed.

A farming system (1) for row crop installations (10) comprises: a first plurality of plants (10A) and a second plurality of fruit or vegetable plants (10B), disposed along a first longitudinal axis (L1) and a second longitudinal axis (L2), respectively, and mutually spaced along a transverse direction (T) to form a first row (F1) and a second row (F2); a supporting structure (11), configured to support the plants and including, for the first row (F1) and the second row (F2), a first plurality of posts (11A) and a second plurality of posts (11B); a first rail (12A), connected to the first plurality of posts (11A); a second rail (12B), connected to the second plurality of posts (11B). The first rail (12A) and the second rail (12B) are oriented longitudinally and spaced transversely from each other to define a track (12). The system comprises a trolley (13), movable along the track (12) and including a movement actuator (131), configured to move the trolley (13) on the track (12).

A farming system (1) for row crop installations (10) comprises: a first plurality of plants (10A) and a second plurality of fruit or vegetable plants (10B), disposed along a first longitudinal axis (L1) and a second longitudinal axis (L2), respectively, and mutually spaced along a transverse direction (T) to form a first row (F1) and a second row (F2); a supporting structure (11), configured to support the plants and including, for the first row (F1) and the second row (F2), a first plurality of posts (11A) and a second plurality of posts (11B); a first rail (12A), connected to the first plurality of posts (11A); a second rail (12B), connected to the second plurality of posts (11B). The first rail (12A) and the second rail (12B) are oriented longitudinally and spaced transversely from each other to define a track (12). The system comprises a trolley (13), movable along the track (12) and including a movement actuator (131), configured to move the trolley (13) on the track (12).

The present invention relates to the field of automated transportation systems. Particularly, it relates to a transportation system comprising guide-ways or tracks, vehicle units [100, 100a] with wheel-axle assembly for switching of vehicles from primary [20] to secondary track [22] on changing trajectory to maintain same vertical plane and the method. It comprises of central controller [101], vehicle chassis with main wheels [2W], guide wheels [4iw, 4ow], guide blocks [05, 06], actuator [09]. The chassis [30] has set of contractible axles fixed to wheels [2W] to enables movement from primary [20] to secondary track [22] by withdrawing the wheels [2W] from expanded position [C] to contracted position [C] or vice-versa. The forces required to compress the spring loaded axle axis is derived from inner guide wheels rolling over the edge flange [26] when swung using single linear motor actuator [09] and related electronic controls.

The present invention relates to the field of automated transportation systems. Particularly, it relates to a transportation system comprising guide-ways or tracks, vehicle units [100, 100a] with wheel-axle assembly for switching of vehicles from primary [20] to secondary track [22] on changing trajectory to maintain same vertical plane and the method. It comprises of central controller [101], vehicle chassis with main wheels [2W], guide wheels [4iw, 4ow], guide blocks [05, 06], actuator [09]. The chassis [30] has set of contractible axles fixed to wheels [2W] to enables movement from primary [20] to secondary track [22] by withdrawing the wheels [2W] from expanded position [C] to contracted position [C] or vice-versa. The forces required to compress the spring loaded axle axis is derived from inner guide wheels rolling over the edge flange [26] when swung using single linear motor actuator [09] and related electronic controls.

Example embodiments relate to implementing self-contained power sources for railcars. A railcar may include an air turbine that comprises a generator. The air turbine converts mechanical energy received from air to electrical energy by way of the generator. In some implementations, the air turbine is selectably coupled to the air brake system of the railcar and can convert mechanical energy received from pressurized air of the air brake system. The railcar can further include a pneumatic valve and a controller that can cause the pneumatic valve to open when the air pressure of the air brake system is at or above a predetermined level. Opening the pneumatic valve provides pressurized air to the air turbine from the air brake system and/or an exhaust pipe. The air turbine is a Wells turbine or a ram air turbine in some examples.

Example embodiments relate to implementing self-contained power sources for railcars. A railcar may include an air turbine that comprises a generator. The air turbine converts mechanical energy received from air to electrical energy by way of the generator. In some implementations, the air turbine is selectably coupled to the air brake system of the railcar and can convert mechanical energy received from pressurized air of the air brake system. The railcar can further include a pneumatic valve and a controller that can cause the pneumatic valve to open when the air pressure of the air brake system is at or above a predetermined level. Opening the pneumatic valve provides pressurized air to the air turbine from the air brake system and/or an exhaust pipe. The air turbine is a Wells turbine or a ram air turbine in some examples.

A railway vehicle comprises a traction system including an asynchronous electric motor or a synchronous electric DC motor operable by an inverter electronic drive system. The vehicle further comprises an electronic control unit coupled to the traction system and configured to receive signals/data/commands indicative of operating conditions of the vehicle and of the traction system and to determine, based on the received signals/data/commands, the occurrence of a coasting condition of the vehicle and the occurrence of an exit condition from the coasting condition of the vehicle. If a coasting condition of the vehicle occurs, the electronic drive system is controlled to cause the electric motor to undergo magnetic flux changes. If an exit condition from the coasting condition occurs, and depending whether the electronic drive system is on or off, the electronic drive system is controlled to increase torque of the electric motor or to reduce magnetic flux reduction.

A railway vehicle comprises a traction system including an asynchronous electric motor or a synchronous electric DC motor operable by an inverter electronic drive system. The vehicle further comprises an electronic control unit coupled to the traction system and configured to receive signals/data/commands indicative of operating conditions of the vehicle and of the traction system and to determine, based on the received signals/data/commands, the occurrence of a coasting condition of the vehicle and the occurrence of an exit condition from the coasting condition of the vehicle. If a coasting condition of the vehicle occurs, the electronic drive system is controlled to cause the electric motor to undergo magnetic flux changes. If an exit condition from the coasting condition occurs, and depending whether the electronic drive system is on or off, the electronic drive system is controlled to increase torque of the electric motor or to reduce magnetic flux reduction.