Systems and methods for creating walkways in heavy machinery and equipment
Systems, methods, and apparatuses are disclosed for creating walkways in heavy machinery and equipment. In one embodiment, an example system may include a first module, a second module coupled to the first module, where the second module comprises a first track and a second track, a third module coupled to the first module and the second module, where the third module has a container matrix configured to support a first set of containers disposed along a lower portion of the system and a second set of containers disposed along an upper portion of the system, and a first actuation system configured to actuate the first set of containers from a first position to a second position, where the first set of containers is vertically aligned with the first track in the second position.
1 . An item sortation system comprising:
a first module at which items are inducted into the item sortation system, the first module comprising a conveyor to support the items;
a second module coupled to the first module, wherein the second module comprises a first track for item shuttles and a second track for item shuttles, the first track disposed along a lower portion of the item sortation system and the second track disposed along an upper portion of the item sortation system;
a third module coupled to the first module and the second module, wherein the third module comprises a container matrix configured to support a first set of containers disposed along the lower portion of the item sortation system and a second set of containers disposed along the upper portion of the item sortation system;
a first actuation system configured to actuate the first set of containers from a first position to a second position, wherein the lower portion of the item sortation system is unoperational when the first set of containers is in the second position, and wherein the first set of containers is vertically aligned with the first track in the second position, the first actuation system comprising a pneumatic actuator; and
a controller configured to control the first actuation system.
2 . The item sortation system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a second actuation system configured to actuate the second set of containers from a first position to a second position, wherein the upper portion of the item sortation system is unoperational when the second set of containers is in the second position, and wherein the second set of containers is vertically aligned with the second track in the second position, the second actuation system comprising a pneumatic actuator.
3 . The item sortation system of claim 1 , wherein a footprint of the item sortation system is constant when the first set of containers is in the first position and in the second position.
4 . The item sortation system of claim 1 , wherein the controller is further configured to:
determine a section of the item sortation system for which to provide access corresponds to the first actuation system; and
cause the first actuation system to be actuated.
5 . A system comprising:
a first module, the first module comprising a conveyor;
a second module coupled to the first module, wherein the second module comprises a first track and a second track;
a third module coupled to the first module and the second module, wherein the third module comprises a container matrix configured to support a first set of containers disposed along a lower portion of the system and a second set of containers disposed along an upper portion of the system; and
a first actuation system configured to actuate the first set of containers from a first position to a second position, wherein the first set of containers is vertically aligned with the first track in the second position, the first actuation system comprising a pneumatic actuator.
6 . The system of claim 5 , wherein the first module is a module at which items are inducted into an item sortation system, wherein the first track and the second track are tracks for item shuttles, and wherein the third module comprises a frame having a fixed position.
7 . The system of claim 5 , wherein the lower portion of the system is unoperational when the first set of containers is in the second position due to the first set of containers blocking the first track.
8 . The system of claim 5 , wherein the first track is disposed along the lower portion of the system and the second track is disposed along the upper portion of the system.
9 . The system of claim 5 , further comprising:
a set of guide rails disposed between the second module and the third module, wherein one or more portions of the set of guide rails are removable.
10 . The system of claim 5 , further comprising:
a controller configured to:
determine a section of the system for which to provide access corresponds to the first actuation system; and
cause the first actuation system to be actuated.
11 . The system of claim 5 , further comprising:
a sensor configured to indicate that the third module is positioned in the default position.
12 . The system of claim 5 , wherein a footprint of the system is constant when the first set of containers is in the first position and in the second position.
13 . The system of claim 5 , further comprising:
a second actuation system configured to actuate the second set of containers from a first position to a second position, wherein the upper portion of the system is unoperational when the second set of containers is in the second position, and wherein the second set of containers is vertically aligned with the second track in the second position, the second actuation system comprising a pneumatic actuator.
14 . The system of claim 13 , wherein the second actuation system is separated from the first actuation system by at least one vertical level.
15 . The system of claim 13 , wherein actuation of the first actuation system provides access to a different internal portion of the system than actuation of the second actuation system.
16 . An item sortation system comprising:
a first module, the first module comprising a conveyor;
a second module coupled to the first module, wherein the second module comprises a first track and a second track;
a third module coupled to the first module and the second module, wherein the third module comprises a container matrix configured to support a first set of containers disposed along a lower portion of the system and a second set of containers disposed along an upper portion of the system;
a first actuation system configured to actuate the first set of containers from a first position to a second position, wherein the first set of containers is vertically aligned with the first track in the second position, the first actuation system comprising a pneumatic actuator; and
a second actuation system configured to actuate the second set of containers from a first position to a second position, wherein the second set of containers is vertically aligned with the second track in the second position, the second actuation system comprising a pneumatic actuator.
17 . The item sortation system of claim 16 , wherein the lower portion of the system is unoperational when the first set of containers is in the second position due to the first set of containers blocking the first track.
18 . The item sortation system of claim 16 , wherein a footprint of the system is constant when the first set of containers is in the first position and in the second position.
19 . The item sortation system of claim 16 , wherein the first module is a module at which items are inducted into an item sortation system, wherein the first track and the second track are tracks for item shuttles, and wherein the third module comprises a frame having a fixed position.
20 . The item sortation system of claim 16 , further comprising:
a controller configured to:
determine a section of the system for which to provide access corresponds to the first actuation system; and
cause the first actuation system to be actuated.