Patent ID: 6278201
Filing Date: 2001-08-21
Classification: H02J

Abstract:
An apparatus for providing power to an automated material handling system that includes a plurality of electrically powered material transport vehicles, the apparatus comprising:a track including a plurality of sections interconnected together in a geometric layout;a plurality of electrically powered material transport vehicles mounted on the track and moveable thereon, each of the plurality of electrically powered material transport vehicles having a power supply input and a power return output;a plurality of current-limited power sources each having a power supply lead, a power return lead, and an output voltage;a power supply distribution network configured and arranged to electrically couple the power supply leads of the plurality of power sources to the power supply input of at least one of the plurality of material transport vehicles, wherein the material transport vehicles receive power to move from the power distribution network; anda power return network configured and arranged to complete the electrical circuit to couple the power to at least one of the plurality of material transport vehicles, wherein as the output voltage of one or more of the plurality of current-limited power sources droops due to a current overload condition, the other power sources connected to the power supply distribution network and the power return network will begin to supply current via the power supply distribution network.