A rotation device rotates an autonomous vehicle operating on a rail system of an automated storage and retrieval system. The system is of the type having a framework structure including a plurality of vertical upright members defining storage columns for storing stacks of storage containers, with the rail system arranged on the framework structure. The rail system includes perpendicular tracks, the intersection of which define a grid having grid cells. The grid cells define openings to the storage columns. The autonomous vehicle is of the type having wheels that travel along the rail system, and which changes direction by alternatively lifting or lowering sets of wheels. One set of wheels is adapted for travel of the vehicle in a first direction, and a second set of wheels is adapted for travel of the vehicle in a second direction, perpendicular to the first direction. The rotation device includes a module adapted for mounting in a grid cell beneath a plane defined by the rail system of the framework structure, and a stationary member affixed to the module. The stationary member is arranged to receive a force, transferred from the container handling vehicle to the stationary member by a mechanical linkage, and to convert the force into a rotation of the vehicle.

A rotation device rotates an autonomous vehicle operating on a rail system of an automated storage and retrieval system. The system is of the type having a framework structure including a plurality of vertical upright members defining storage columns for storing stacks of storage containers, with the rail system arranged on the framework structure. The rail system includes perpendicular tracks, the intersection of which define a grid having grid cells. The grid cells define openings to the storage columns. The autonomous vehicle is of the type having wheels that travel along the rail system, and which changes direction by alternatively lifting or lowering sets of wheels. One set of wheels is adapted for travel of the vehicle in a first direction, and a second set of wheels is adapted for travel of the vehicle in a second direction, perpendicular to the first direction. The rotation device includes a module adapted for mounting in a grid cell beneath a plane defined by the rail system of the framework structure, and a stationary member affixed to the module. The stationary member is arranged to receive a force, transferred from the container handling vehicle to the stationary member by a mechanical linkage, and to convert the force into a rotation of the vehicle.

In one aspect, an apparatus for turning a corner, the apparatus being disposed adjacent to a grounded surface and comprising: a turntable platter, rotatably coupled to the grounded surface, for orienting a line-drawn trolley; a locking mechanism, disposed on the turntable platter, for preventing rotation of the turntable platter with respect to the grounded surface; a first turntable guide, removably coupled to the turntable platter, for guiding a draw line through the line-drawn trolley; a second turntable guide, removably coupled to the turntable platter, for guiding the draw line through the line-drawn trolley; a first stationary diverter, removably coupled to the grounded surface, for diverting the draw line around the line-drawn trolley; and a second stationary diverter, removably coupled to the grounded surface, for diverting the draw line around the line-drawn trolley.

In one aspect, an apparatus for turning a corner, the apparatus being disposed adjacent to a grounded surface and comprising: a turntable platter, rotatably coupled to the grounded surface, for orienting a line-drawn trolley; a locking mechanism, disposed on the turntable platter, for preventing rotation of the turntable platter with respect to the grounded surface; a first turntable guide, removably coupled to the turntable platter, for guiding a draw line through the line-drawn trolley; a second turntable guide, removably coupled to the turntable platter, for guiding the draw line through the line-drawn trolley; a first stationary diverter, removably coupled to the grounded surface, for diverting the draw line around the line-drawn trolley; and a second stationary diverter, removably coupled to the grounded surface, for diverting the draw line around the line-drawn trolley.

A terminal is designed with a railcar staging area and a railcar transfer apparatus, the railcar transfer apparatus configured to move a railcar to and/or from railcar staging area. The terminal may be further designed with a terminal building where the railcar transfer apparatus is configured to move the railcar between the terminal building and the staging area. The staging area may be provided as two staging areas where the railcar transfer apparatus is configured to move the railcar between two staging areas. The railcar transfer apparatus may include automated railcar transfer device, bridge and shuttle.

The invention relates to a device for changing the direction of travel of a rail-bound vehicle, comprising a feeding rail section, a removing rail section, and a connecting rail section, which can be moved from a first position, in which the connecting rail section is arranged in relation to the feeding rail section in such a way that the rail-bound vehicle can drive onto the connecting rail section, to a second position, in which the connecting rail section is arranged in relation to the removing rail section in such a way that the vehicle can drive onto the removing rail section, by means of a motion comprising at least one rotational motion about an axis of the rotational motion. The invention further relates to a rail-bound ride having such a device, and to a method for operating such a device.

The invention relates to a device for changing the direction of travel of a rail-bound vehicle, comprising a feeding rail section, a removing rail section, and a connecting rail section, which can be moved from a first position, in which the connecting rail section is arranged in relation to the feeding rail section in such a way that the rail-bound vehicle can drive onto the connecting rail section, to a second position, in which the connecting rail section is arranged in relation to the removing rail section in such a way that the vehicle can drive onto the removing rail section, by means of a motion comprising at least one rotational motion about an axis of the rotational motion. The invention further relates to a rail-bound ride having such a device, and to a method for operating such a device.

The technology disclosed herein relates to a rooftop platform to facilitate a delivery of a parcel by an aerial vehicle. The rooftop platform may comprise an elevator apparatus at least partially accessible via the rooftop platform. The rooftop platform may also comprise a rotatable turntable mounted to the rooftop platform. The rotatable turntable can be rotated to position the parcel on the elevator apparatus. The rotatable turntable may have tracks for receiving track wheels of a parcel containment unit. In some embodiments, the parcel may be positioned on the elevator apparatus at a top surface of a lift cabin of the elevator apparatus. The rooftop platform may also comprise a landing area for the aerial vehicle to deliver or receive the parcel containment unit via the rotatable turntable.

A method and system for a rotational multi-track railway switch-junction. The rotational multi-track railway junction comprises one or more incoming tracks and a plurality of outgoing tracks connected by a rotating platform to a plurality of stationary track sections. The rotational platform provides a connection between at least one of the incoming tracks and at least one of the outgoing tracks and can be automatically controlled and locked in a given position. Thus, costs and an overall size of a railway junction are reduced.

A method and system for a rotational multi-track railway switch-junction. The rotational multi-track railway junction comprises one or more incoming tracks and a plurality of outgoing tracks connected by a rotating platform to a plurality of stationary track sections. The rotational platform provides a connection between at least one of the incoming tracks and at least one of the outgoing tracks and can be automatically controlled and locked in a given position. Thus, costs and an overall size of a railway junction are reduced.