Patent ID: 9611107
Date: 2017-04-04
CPC Classifications: B65G

Claim:
1. A linear drive transport system, comprising: a plurality of fixed tracks; a junction track disposed on a conveyor configured to align the junction track with each of the plurality of fixed tracks, wherein the plurality of fixed tracks and the junction track comprise one of electromagnetic coils or permanent magnets arranged in series along the respective plurality of fixed tracks and the junction track, and wherein the conveyor comprises a linear drive; and a plurality of movers configured to move along the fixed tracks and configured to transition between each of the plurality of fixed tracks and the junction track when aligned, wherein the movers comprise the other of the electromagnetic coils or the permanent magnets, wherein the plurality of fixed tracks are positioned in an aligned orientation between the junction track disposed on the conveyor and an additional junction track disposed on an additional conveyor such that the plurality of movers can be transitioned between any of the plurality of fixed tracks by the junction track for traversal to the additional junction track and then transitioned for return along a different one of the plurality of fixed tracks.