A conveyor (1) has rollers (12) for conveying a load (100) along a conveying direction (C). A stop (20) is configured to be arranged in a separating configuration, in which the load (100) is impeded from being conveyed along the conveying direction (C), and a conveying configuration, in which the load (100) can be conveyed along the conveying direction (C). A trigger (30) is configured to move between a triggered position and an idle position. The trigger (30) is configured so that the load (100) moving in the conveying direction (C) onto the trigger (30) moves the trigger (30) out of the idle position and into the triggered position, thereby arranging the stop (20) in the separating configuration. A counter element (50) is configured to move the trigger (30) out of the idle position when the load (100) is conveyed on the rollers (12) against the conveying direction (C).

A system utilizes electroadhesive surfaces for braking and metering objects in an automated environment. An electroadhesive surface can include electrodes that are configured to induce an electrostatic attraction with nearby objects upon application of voltage to the electrodes. The systems described utilize various configurations of electroadhesive surfaces, sensors, controllers and programmable processors to create smart braking, capturing and metering systems for improved automated material handling.

A system utilizes electroadhesive surfaces for braking and metering objects in an automated environment. An electroadhesive surface can include electrodes that are configured to induce an electrostatic attraction with nearby objects upon application of voltage to the electrodes. The systems described utilize various configurations of electroadhesive surfaces, sensors, controllers and programmable processors to create smart braking, capturing and metering systems for improved automated material handling.

A conveyor for conveying loads along a conveying direction has a frame and a plurality of rollers mounted in the frame. The conveyor also has a trigger pedal movable between an idle position and an engaged position, and a separator stop movable between a retracted position and a protruding position. A coupling is between the trigger pedal and the separator stop for transmitting to the separator stop a movement applied to the trigger pedal. A manual release mechanism also is provided. The frame has an end portion positioned after the plurality of rollers in the conveying direction. The manual release mechanism is arranged in the end portion and the trigger pedal is arranged within the end portion. The coupling has a knee-joint mechanism and is configured to pull the separator stop in the protruding position and to push the separator stop in the retracted position.

Disclosed herein is a movable platform (MP) for moving freight during cross-dock operations. The MP comprises a mechanical lift brake assembly that can be utilized to deploy a plurality of mechanical lift brakes preventing further movement of the MP. AMP forklift attachment that can be used to convey the MP and to engage or disengage the mechanical lift brake assembly. The MP forklift attachment can be attached to a conveyance vehicle, such as a forklift, or built into an automated guided vehicle.

Disclosed herein is a movable platform (MP) for moving freight during cross-dock operations. The MP comprises a mechanical lift brake assembly that can be utilized to deploy a plurality of mechanical lift brakes preventing further movement of the MP. AMP forklift attachment that can be used to convey the MP and to engage or disengage the mechanical lift brake assembly. The MP forklift attachment can be attached to a conveyance vehicle, such as a forklift, or built into an automated guided vehicle.

Disclosed is a powered transport cargo system, and a method of retrofitting a powered transport cargo system that includes braking rollers. The method includes replacing a power drive unit (PDU) of the powered transport cargo system with a PDU including a permanent magnet motor (PMM), and removing a braking roller from the powered transport cargo system.

Disclosed is a powered transport cargo system, and a method of retrofitting a powered transport cargo system that includes braking rollers. The method includes replacing a power drive unit (PDU) of the powered transport cargo system with a PDU including a permanent magnet motor (PMM), and removing a braking roller from the powered transport cargo system.

An electromechanical actuator power drive unit for dynamic braking is provided, comprising an electric motor with a stator, a rotor that rotates with respect to the stator, and windings fixed to the stator. There is a control unit configured to supply a current to the windings. When the control unit is not supplying current to the windings, an electrical device allows current to flow through a parallel current path to the windings. The new current is generated by the interaction of a roller connected with a gear set to the rotor. The roller, and therefore the rotor, is urged in a rotational direction by the translational velocity of a load in contact with the roller. The new current generated by the rotating rotor flows in the opposite direction as the first current supplied by the power supply unit and creates a dynamic braking torque in the electric motor.

An electromechanical actuator power drive unit for dynamic braking is provided, comprising an electric motor with a stator, a rotor that rotates with respect to the stator, and windings fixed to the stator. There is a control unit configured to supply a current to the windings. When the control unit is not supplying current to the windings, an electrical device allows current to flow through a parallel current path to the windings. The new current is generated by the interaction of a roller connected with a gear set to the rotor. The roller, and therefore the rotor, is urged in a rotational direction by the translational velocity of a load in contact with the roller. The new current generated by the rotating rotor flows in the opposite direction as the first current supplied by the power supply unit and creates a dynamic braking torque in the electric motor.