System and method for providing power to a moving element

摘要

A system and method for providing power to a plurality of moving elements in a transport system that include: tracking a position of each of the plurality of moving elements in the transport system; and selectively operating a power system provided to the transport system based on the position of each of the plurality of the moving element such that power is independently transferred to each of the plurality of moving elements. In another embodiment, the system and method include: adapting the plurality of moving elements to receive power from a drive component used to drive the plurality of moving elements along the transport system; and controlling the drive component to provide power to the plurality of moving elements, and, in particular, while the moving elements are moving.

主权项

1. A system for providing power to a moving element on a transport system comprising:
a plurality of moving elements, each moving element comprising at least one drive component and at least one power pick-up panel; and at least one track section with which the plurality of moving elements are associated, the track section comprising:
a control system;a track on which the plurality of moving elements move; anda track power system that is controlled by the control system, the track power system comprising a plurality of electromagnetic coils;wherein the control system and track power system are configured such that the control system controls the plurality of electromagnetic coils to:
independently control movement and a position of each of the plurality of moving elements by pulse width modulation and duty cycle adjustment of the DC voltage at a first frequency to first selected electromagnetic coils of the plurality of electromagnetic coils when a drive component is approximately adjacent to the first selected electromagnetic coils; and independently control a transfer of power to the at least one power pick-up panel of each of the plurality of moving elements by pulse width modulation and duty cycle adjustment of the DC voltage at a second frequency to second selected electromagnetic coils of the plurality of electromagnetic coils when a power pick-up panel is approximately adjacent the second selected electromagnetic coils, in order to simultaneously drive the moving element and transfer power to at least one power pick-up panel of at least one moving element.