Alternative power operation of loading docks and loading dock equipment

摘要

Technology generally directed to operation of loading dock equipment such as vehicle restraints, dock levelers, overhead doors/openers, barrier gates, lights, and linked or unlinked control systems is disclosed herein. The disclosed technology may be employed to power electrical loading dock systems from batteries and/or alternative power sources, including “green” power sources. For example, the technology may be employed at new, temporary, and/or mobile facilities having any number of loading docks where reliable commercial power may not be readily available. Further, the technology may also be employed at warehouses in remote and/or developing areas where electrical infrastructure is not available and/or reasonably priced. The technology may be embodied as methods, apparatuses, manufactures (e.g., computer- and/or processor-readable storage and/or other mediums), and/or the like.

主权项

1. A loading dock system for transferring cargo between a warehouse and a vehicle, the loading dock system comprising:
an alternative power interface configured to receive power from at least one alternative power source; a battery circuit configured to store power provided by the alternative power interface; loading dock equipment configured to, at a first time, receive power provided by the battery circuit and, at a second time different from the first time, receive power provided by a commercial power interface; a power switch circuit configured to selectively route power to the loading dock equipment from the battery circuit at the first time and selectively route power to the loading dock equipment from the commercial power interface at the second time; and a power controller configured to selectively control switching operations of the power switch circuit; wherein the power switch is further configured to selectively route power to the loading dock equipment based on a switch control signal from the power controller to the power switch, and wherein the switch control signal is based on a status signal provided to the power controller from the loading dock equipment.