A method and apparatus are provided for sorting or retrieving items to/from a plurality of destinations areas. The items are loaded onto one of a plurality of independently controlled delivery vehicles. The delivery vehicles follow a track that guides the delivery vehicles to/from the destination areas, which are positioned along the track. Once at the appropriate destination area, an item is transferred between the delivery vehicle and the destination area.

A method and apparatus are provided for sorting or retrieving items to/from a plurality of destinations areas. The items are loaded onto one of a plurality of independently controlled delivery vehicles. The delivery vehicles follow a path to/from the destination areas, which are positioned along the path. Once at the appropriate destination area, an item is transferred between the delivery vehicle and the destination area.

A method and apparatus are provided for sorting or retrieving items to/from a plurality of destinations areas. The items are loaded onto one of a plurality of independently controlled delivery vehicles. The delivery vehicles follow a path to/from the destination areas, which are positioned along the path. Once at the appropriate destination area, an item is transferred between the delivery vehicle and the destination area.

A track system may include a track assembly and a support assembly. A track assembly may include a toothed portion. The support assembly may include a support member removable from and adjustably connected to the track assembly. The toothed portion may include a plurality of track teeth. The support member may include an adjuster pinion. The adjuster pinion may include a plurality of pinion teeth configured to engage the plurality of track teeth. The adjuster pinion may be adjustable to an engaged position in which the adjuster pinion and the toothed portion are engaged with one another. The adjuster pinion may be adjustable to a disengaged position in which the adjuster pinion and the toothed portion are not engaged with one another.

A track system may include a track assembly and a support assembly. A track assembly may include a toothed portion. The support assembly may include a support member removable from and adjustably connected to the track assembly. The toothed portion may include a plurality of track teeth. The support member may include an adjuster pinion. The adjuster pinion may include a plurality of pinion teeth configured to engage the plurality of track teeth. The adjuster pinion may be adjustable to an engaged position in which the adjuster pinion and the toothed portion are engaged with one another. The adjuster pinion may be adjustable to a disengaged position in which the adjuster pinion and the toothed portion are not engaged with one another.

The present disclosure relates to a method for constructing a penstock. A path of the penstock to be dug along a central axis of a hydro-electric site within a rock mass is planned. A lower shaft is excavated, the lower shaft intersecting the path of the penstock. A starting station extending from the lower shaft and from a bottom of the path of the penstock is excavated. The penstock is excavated. An arrival station is excavated and is overhanging above a top of the penstock. An expansion chamber broadening a width of the penstock and broadening a width of the lower shaft near the bottom of the path of the penstock is excavated. A hydro-electric site comprising the penstock is also disclosed.

The present disclosure relates to a method for constructing a penstock. A path of the penstock to be dug along a central axis of a hydro-electric site within a rock mass is planned. A lower shaft is excavated, the lower shaft intersecting the path of the penstock. A starting station extending from the lower shaft and from a bottom of the path of the penstock is excavated. The penstock is excavated. An arrival station is excavated and is overhanging above a top of the penstock. An expansion chamber broadening a width of the penstock and broadening a width of the lower shaft near the bottom of the path of the penstock is excavated. A hydro-electric site comprising the penstock is also disclosed.

An embodiment of a transport system may include a vehicle and a circuit with a rail extending at least on sections of the circuit. The system may include a drive system configured for a positive drive for propelling the vehicle along the circuit, wherein, at least on sections extending along the circuit, the drive system has first and second engagement members. The first engagement member may have a first projection and an adjacent second projection on at least sections of the circuit and, between the first and adjacent second projections, grooves, which are each bounded by the first and adjacent second projections. The first engagement member may have one or more openings, of which at least one through-opening is formed between the first and adjacent second projections. Through the through-opening may engage a connecting member configured for connecting the first engagement member with the rail for attachment to the rail.

An embodiment of a transport system may include a vehicle and a circuit with a rail extending at least on sections of the circuit. The system may include a drive system configured for a positive drive for propelling the vehicle along the circuit, wherein, at least on sections extending along the circuit, the drive system has first and second engagement members. The first engagement member may have a first projection and an adjacent second projection on at least sections of the circuit and, between the first and adjacent second projections, grooves, which are each bounded by the first and adjacent second projections. The first engagement member may have one or more openings, of which at least one through-opening is formed between the first and adjacent second projections. Through the through-opening may engage a connecting member configured for connecting the first engagement member with the rail for attachment to the rail.

An electric pallet conveyor includes a slide moveably supported on a guide-rail of a track. The electric pallet includes a motor for propelling the slide along the guide rail. A first gear pulley is attached to the slide and rotatable about a first gear pulley axis of rotation in response to a rotational torque output from the motor. A second gear pulley displaced from the first gear pulley is rotatable about a second gear pulley axis of rotation. A pulley belt connects the first gear pulley to the second gear pulley and is operable for transferring a rotational torque from the first gear pulley to the second gear pulley. A drive pulley fixedly attached to the second gear pulley engages a drive rail of the track to propel the slide along the guide-rail.