Active and passive electromagnetic switching for sortation shuttles along a track
Systems and methods are disclosed for active and passive electromagnetic switching for sortation shuttles along a track. An example system for active and passive electromagnetic switching for sortation shuttles may include a track having a first linear path and a first curved path that intersects the first linear path. The system may include a shuttle with a first ferrous block, the shuttle configured to move along the track, a first set of electromagnets disposed along a side of the first curved path, and a first set of permanent magnets disposed along a side of the first linear path. Energizing the first set of electromagnets causes the shuttle to merge onto the first curved path via interaction with the first ferrous block.
1 . A system comprising:
a set of rails that form a track having a central axis, the set of rails comprising a first rail segment on a first side of the central axis and a second rail segment on a second side of the central axis, wherein the track comprises a first linear path, a first curved path that intersects the first linear path, a second linear path, and a second curved path;
a shuttle configured to transport items from a first location to a second location using the set of rails, the shuttle comprising:
a first ferrous block; and
a first set of wheels;
a first set of electromagnets disposed along the central axis of the track, the first set of electromagnets configured to propel the shuttle;
a second set of electromagnets disposed along a side of the first linear path, wherein electromagnets of the second set of electromagnets are configured to be individually energized;
a first set of permanent magnets disposed along a side of the first curved path;
a third set of electromagnets disposed along a side of the second curved path, wherein electromagnets of the third set of electromagnets are configured to be individually energized; and
a second set of permanent magnets disposed along a side of the second linear path;
wherein energizing the second set of electromagnets causes the shuttle to remain on the first linear path via interaction with the first ferrous block, and wherein a default path of the shuttle at the first curved path is the first curved path when the second set of electromagnets is not energized; and
wherein energizing the third set of electromagnets causes the shuttle to turn onto the second curved path via interaction with the first ferrous block, and wherein a default path of the shuttle at the second curved path is the second linear path when the third set of electromagnets is not energized.
2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the shuttle is configured to move along both the first linear path and the first curved path, and wherein the track is devoid of mechanical switching components to direct the shuttle along the first linear path or the first curved path.
3 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a cover plate disposed on a first side of the first set of electromagnets, the cover plate configured to separate the first set of electromagnets from the shuttle; and
a curved steel plate disposed on a second side of the first set of electromagnets;
wherein a density of permanent magnets of the first set of permanent magnets increases as the shuttle moves downstream along the first curved path.
4 . A system comprising:
a track comprising:
a first linear path; and
a first curved path that intersects the first linear path;
a shuttle comprising a ferrous block, the shuttle configured to move along the track;
a first set of electromagnets disposed along a side of the first curved path; and
a first set of permanent magnets disposed along a side of the first linear path;
wherein energizing the first set of electromagnets causes the shuttle to merge onto the first curved path via interaction with the ferrous block.
5 . The system of claim 4 , wherein a default path of the shuttle at the first curved path is the first linear path when the first set of electromagnets is not energized.
6 . The system of claim 4 , wherein the track further comprises a second linear path and a second curved path that intersects the second linear path, the system further comprising:
a second set of electromagnets disposed along a side of the second linear path;
a second set of permanent magnets disposed along a side of the second linear path;
wherein energizing the second set of electromagnets causes the shuttle to merge onto the second linear path via interaction with the ferrous block.
7 . The system of claim 6 , wherein a default path of the shuttle at the second curved path is the second curved path when the second set of electromagnets is not energized.
8 . The system of claim 4 , wherein the ferrous block is a first ferrous block, and wherein the shuttle further comprises a second ferrous block and is configured to move along both the first linear path and the first curved path, and wherein the track is devoid of mechanical switching components to direct the shuttle along the first linear path or the first curved path.
9 . The system of claim 4 , wherein a density of permanent magnets of the first set of permanent magnets increases as the shuttle moves downstream along the first linear path.
10 . The system of claim 4 , further comprising:
a second set of electromagnets disposed along the side of the first curved path.
11 . The system of claim 4 , further comprising:
a second set of permanent magnets disposed along the side of the first linear path.
12 . The system of claim 4 , wherein the first set of electromagnets comprises a single electromagnetic coil that is passively cooled.
13 . The system of claim 4 , wherein electromagnets of the first set of electromagnets are configured to be individually energized.
14 . The system of claim 4 , further comprising:
a cover plate disposed on a first side of the first set of electromagnets, the cover plate configured to separate the first set of electromagnets from the shuttle; and
a curved steel plate disposed on a second side of the first set of electromagnets.
15 . The system of claim 4 , further comprising:
a second set of electromagnets disposed along the track;
wherein the shuttle comprises a permanent magnet, and the shuttle is propelled along the track via interaction between the permanent magnet and the second set of electromagnets.
16 . A system comprising:
a track comprising:
a first linear path;
a first curved path that intersects the first linear path;
a second linear path; and
a second curved path that intersects the second linear path;
a shuttle comprising a first ferrous block, the shuttle configured to move along the track;
a first set of electromagnets disposed along a side of the first curved path;
a first set of permanent magnets disposed along a side of the first linear path;
a second set of electromagnets disposed along a side of the second linear path; and
a second set of permanent magnets disposed along a side of the second linear path;
wherein energizing the first set of electromagnets causes the shuttle to merge onto the first curved path via interaction with the first ferrous block.
17 . The system of claim 16 , wherein energizing the second set of electromagnets causes the shuttle to merge onto the second linear path via interaction with the first ferrous block.
18 . The system of claim 16 , wherein the shuttle moves in one direction along the track.
19 . The system of claim 16 , wherein the shuttle further comprises a permanent magnet disposed under the shuttle, and a second ferrous block, wherein the first ferrous block is on a first side of the shuttle, and the second ferrous block is on a second side of the shuttle.