Patent ID: 8812152
Filing Date: 2014-08-19
Classification: B65G

Abstract:
1. A method, based on a computerized speed control system, for managing movement of a plurality of carriages along a line having a closed-loop track, wherein the closed-loop track comprises a first zone in which the plurality of carriages move at a defined speed and pitch, a second zone wherein the plurality of carriages move at a faster speed and larger pitch in comparison to the first zone, a third zone which is an acceleration zone, and a fourth zone which is a deceleration zone, and wherein the computerized control system controls the carriage movement along each of the zones, so that the plurality of carriages moving along the first zone are moving at a defined speed and pitch, and wherein, at the same time the plurality of carriages moving along the second zone are moving at a defined, faster speed and larger pitch, and wherein said movement of the plurality of carriages along the at least first and second zones is performed simultaneously without collisions; wherein the computerized system monitors and controls, in real time, the carriages' speed, pitch and location; and wherein the speed and the pitch of the carriages are synchronized by the control system, so that, the ratio between the speed of the plurality of carriages at the first zone and the speed of the plurality of carriages at the second zone is equal to the ratio between the pitch of the plurality of carriages at the first zone and the pitch of the plurality of carriages at the second zone; at the acceleration zone, the speed and pitch of the plurality of carriages are changed so that at the end of the acceleration, the speed and pitch of the plurality of carriages match the speed and pitch of the plurality of carriages in the second zone, therefore allowing fluent and constant traffic with no collisions; and at the deceleration zone, the speed and pitch of the plurality of carriages are changed so that at the end of the deceleration the speed and pitch of the plurality of carriages match those of the first zone, therefore allowing fluent and constant traffic with no collisions.