摘要 |
A material handling and transport system for transporting goods between a number of discharge/induction stations and selectively receiving and discharging goods at the stations. A moving transport unit (24), for example a train-type string or cars (28, etc.) or trolleys with tilting trays (70, etc.) for receiving, transporting and discharging goods between induction (38) and discharge stations (52, etc.) positioned along a track (22), incorporates a number of self-contained, locally controlled sensing (58), signal (62, etc.) and actuation (30) devices which allow the trolleys to selectively interact with passive stations around the track. The centralization of systems control (54) on the trolleys themselves, as opposed to on the track-side stations, results in greater system flexibility, reduced cost, and allows the train to operate in essentially autonomous mode without the need for external control and monitoring.
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