Abstract: A presence detector for detecting the presence of a heat source, including a motion detector having a predetermined field of view. The motion detector is activated by movement of a heat source a certain minimum amount within that predetermined field of view. An actuator is provided for moving the motion detector sufficient to change the position of the field of view by at least that minimum amount. The actuator includes a shape memory alloy wire. The motion detector is movably or rotatably mounted to a support. The actuator is connected at one end to the motion detector and at the other to the support. The actuator also includes a biasing or return spring for re-stretching the shape memory alloy wire back to its original length once it has contracted. A strain relief spring is also provided, having a spring rate substantially higher than that of the return spring, for relieving strain on the shape memory alloy wire in case the detector rotatable mounting seizes or otherwise is prevented from moving freely.

Abstract: A control circuit for continually testing a photoelectric detector. The detector includes a light source, and a photoelectric receiver having a predetermined drop-out time, attached to a movable storage carriage, spaced apart and substantially sightaligned. The carriage has a reversible electric motor which is controlled by the control circuit, including at least two relays, the contacts of which are connected in series so that the contacts of both must be closed in order for the motor to be energized. The relay drop-out time is substantially longer than the receiver drop-out time. In the circuit, an inverter is connected between the second coil and the light source. This inverter inverts signals received from the second coil and passes them to the light source so that receipt of a signal at the receiver causes the light source to turn off, in turn causing a loss of signal at the receiver, resulting in the light source turning on.

Abstract: The housing of a switch assembly has four plastic walls which are joined integrally during molding and encompass a nominally open area. A panel spans across the front of the opening and is molded integrally with the walls. The panel has a laterally extending slit and several slits which are perpendicular to the lateral slit and divide the panel into cantilever supported deflectable push button switch operators. At the front of the switch housing and covering part of the area of the opening is a swingable door which conceals a multiple contact connector. Several different types of key devices are adapted for plugging into the connector for modifying the ordinary functions of the switch assembly. When used on a mobile storage system unit, one key overrides the controls when a safety device is activated. Another key device can be plugged in to dominate control over the normal push buttons of the switch assembly. Another key device is adapted to supply emergency power from a battery power pack.

Abstract: A limit switch assembly for mounting on mobile storage units has first and second limit switches secured in spaced relationship. A switch operating rod is spring biased to extend from the assembly by a predetermined amount into an open aisle or where there is no proximate storage unit and there is a cam element on the rod which holds the first switch in closed circuit condition to enable a motor on the unit and drive it into the open aisle space and when the rod touches a stop as the unit means reached the limit of its travel the cam shifts to open the first switch to initiate a deceleration interval which terminates when the cam retracts enough to open the second switch which disables the motor.

Abstract: A limit switch assembly for mounting on mobile storage units has first and second limit switches secured in spaced relationship. A switch operating rod is spring biased to extend from the assembly by a predetermined amount into an open aisle or where there is no proximate storage unit and there is a cam element on the rod which holds the first switch in closed circuit condition to enable a motor on the unit and drive it into the open aisle space and when the rod touches a stop as the unit means reaches the limit of its travel the cam shifts to open the first switch to initiate a deceleration interval which terminates when the cam retracts enough to open the second switch which disables the motor.

Abstract: An electrical control module has electrical components on a circuit board inside of a box which is open on a side opposite of its bottom. A molding section is mounted to one side wall of the box. This molding has the same cross-sectional configuration as a molding which is installed on the edge of the side wall of a mobile storage unit. The side wall molding has a gap in it. The end wall of the storage unit is composed of two parallel upstanding panel members which are spaced apart from each other. The molding extends up to the gap from below and down to the gap from above. The control module slides into the gap and into the space between the panels. The section of molding on the module becomes flush with the molding on the storage unit when the module is inserted in the gap. Means are provided for releasably locking the module in the end wall of the storage unit.

Abstract: A vertical storage and retrieval system has a light bar at the operator's station that visually indicates selected bins on a conveyor shelf. The light bar comprises an elongated rectangular tubing flush with the work surface. Several identical electric modules are connected end-to-end and inserted into the tubing. Each module has an array of parallel circuits, each containing a light emitting diode, connected to an electric source. Through circuits connect the terminal circuit of each array of parallel circuits to an electrical sink. A branch circuit of each parallel circuit connects with the corresponding parallel circuit on the adjacent module. The circuits are arranged such that the end module remote from the electric source and sink may be severed and a portion of the module discarded without affecting the operation of the light bar.

Abstract: A vertical storage and retrieval system has a light bar at the operator's station that visually indicates selected bins on a conveyor shelf. The light bar comprises an elongated rectangular tubing flush with the work surface. Several identical electric modules are connected end-to-end and inserted into the tubing. Each module has an array of parallel circuits, each containing a light emitting diode, connected to an electric source. Through circuits connect the terminal circuit of each array of parallel circuits to an electrical sink. A branch circuit of each parallel circuit connects with the corresponding parallel circuit on the adjacent module. The circuit are arraged such that the end module remote from the electric source and sink may be severed and a portion of the module discarded without affecting the operation of the light bar.

Abstract: A vertical storage and retrieval system has a light bar at the operator's station that visually indicates selected bins on a conveyor shelf. The light bar comprises an elongated rectangular tubing flush with the work surface. Several identical electric modules are connected end-to-end and inserted into the tubing. Each module has an array of parallel circuits, each containing a light emitting diode, connected to an electric source. Through circuits connect the terminal circuit of each array of parallel circuits to an electrical sink. A branch circuit of each parallel circuit connects with the corresponding parallel circuit on the adjacent module. The circuits are arranged such that the end module remote from the electric source and sink may be severed and a portion of the module discarded without affecting the operation of the light bar.

Abstract: A movable storage unit control system is provided with: a leading edge safety tape switch for contacting it to bring a driven unit to a stop; a processor for generating move and stop command signals; a plurality of circuits through which test signals are transmitted under control of the processor and which are returned to the processor coincidentally with their transmission through a current sensor if the circuit tests good; a procedure for having the processor address a test signal to a nonexistent circuit to determine if the current sensor has failed and is allowing return of signals when it should not; circuits for setting minimum and maximum speed of the motors that drive the storage units; a circuit for setting the intensity of dynamic braking of the drive motors; and, a watchdog circuit that shuts down the processor upon occurrence of intense temporary electrical noise or software execution errors and is involved in causing the processor to shut down and block all commands to the system if the processor

Abstract: A movable storage unit control system is provided with: a leading edge safety tape switch for contacting it to bring a driven unit to a stop; a processor for generating move and stop command signals; a plurality of circuits through which test signals are transmitted under control of the processor and which are returned to the processor coincidentally with their transmission through a current sensor if the circuit tests good; a procedure for having the processor address a test signal to a nonexistent circuit to determine if the current sensor has failed and is allowing return of signals when it should not; circuits for setting minimum and maximum speed of the motors that drive the storage units; a circuit for setting the intensity of dynamic braking of the drive motors; and, a watchdog circuit that shuts down the processor upon occurrence of intense temporary electrical noise or software execution errors and is involved in causing the processor to shut down and block all commands to the system if the processor

Abstract: A movable storage unit control system is provided with: a leading edge safety tape switch for contacting it to bring a driven unit to a stop; a processor for generating move and stop command signals; a plurality of circuits through which test signals are transmitted under control of the processor and which are returned to the processor coincidentally with their transmission through a current sensor if the circuit tests good; a procedure for having the processor address a test signal to a nonexistent circuit to determine if the current sensor has failed and is allowing return of signals when it should not; circuits for setting minimum and maximum speed of the motors that drive the storage units; a circuit for setting the intensity of dynamic braking of the drive motors; and, a watchdog circuit that shuts down the processor upon occurrence of intense temporary electrical noise or software execution errors and is involved in causing the processor to shut down and block all commands to the system if the processor

Abstract: A control system for vertical storage equipment requires only two sensing devices, in combination with a microprocessor controller, for positioning a selected article carrier at a specified work station. One sensor senses a reference mark having a direct speed and position relation with the carriers. The second sensor senses at least one reference mark mounted to a high speed member in the drive mechanism used to move the carriers. By sensing the high speed member, the resolution of the control system is greatly increased, thereby providing the control system with increased accuracy and versatility. A flywheel having a relative inertia greater than the total of the remaining moving parts is preferably employed to negate the influence of carrier loading conditions on control system smoothness and accuracy.

Abstract: One or more movable storage units each having a reversible motor for driving the units on tracks between stationary storage units to open an aisle between units. Each unit has leash cord plug holders on its aisle sides. The movable units have safety sweep bars on one or both sides, safety switches actuated thereby, and a limit switch. Setting a leash cord plug in its own holder so the leash does not span the aisle that is to be opened provides a move command signal and setting the other leashes so they span the aisles that are too close sets up the control circuitry for causing all units to be driven away from the aisle that is not spanned by a leash.

Abstract: A plurality of movable storage units each have a reversible motor for driving them in the proper direction in response to a user command to open an aisle between selected units. There is a microprocessor-based programmable control module on each unit and there is a structurally similar module that acts as a system controller. Four control lines interconnect the modules. One line is for sending digital command data away from the system controller and another is for sending sensing data toward the system controller. Another line is for resync pulses transmitted from the system controller to the microprocessors simultaneously. The processor in each module responds to a resync pulse by initiating definition of a specific number of time slots for containing individual high or low bits to enable serial transmission of encoded data representative of commands and sensed conditions.