Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for elevators for material handling shuttles. In one embodiment, an example system configured to change elevation of a shuttle may include an elevator track disposed between a loading zone and an unloading zone, and a platform coupled to the elevator track and configured to move between the loading zone and the unloading zone. The platform may be configured to engage with a lower surface of the shuttle at the loading zone. The platform may be configured to lift the shuttle off a first set of rails at the loading zone, and to position the shuttle onto a second set of rails at the unloading zone.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses are disclosed for helical container conveyance. In one embodiment, an example container conveyance system may include a set of rails having a first rail and a second rail, the set of rails configured to guide a container from an upright position at a first point along the set of rails to an inverted position at a second point along the set of rails. The system may include a drive mechanism configured to propel the container along the set of rails, and a conveyor disposed under a portion of the set of rails corresponding to the second point.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses are disclosed for automated securing and releasing of items on shuttles. In one embodiment, an example item sortation system may include a shuttle having a conveyor, a first gate portion having a second width that is about half a first width of the conveyor, a second gate portion having the second width, an optional third gate portion having the second width, and an optional fourth gate portion having the second width, wherein the third gate portion and the fourth gate portion are disposed at a second side of the conveyor. The first gate portion, the second gate portion, the third gate portion, and the fourth gate portion may be configured to: (i) secure the at least one item on the conveyor during transport, and (ii) guide the at least one item along the conveyor when the item is unloaded.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for container shuttles having omnidirectional wheels. In one embodiment, an example system for shuttle transportation may include a first linear synchronous motor arranged in a first orientation, a second linear synchronous motor arranged in a second orientation that is offset with respect to the first linear synchronous motor, and a shuttle having a permanent magnet and a plurality of omnidirectional wheels. The shuttle may be configured to be propelled in a first direction via the first linear synchronous motor and the permanent magnet, and to be propelled in a second direction via the second linear synchronous motor and the permanent magnet.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for contactless powering and control of conveyors on shuttles. An example system may include a track, a first transmitter disposed at a first location along the track, the first transmitter configured to transmit power and data wirelessly, and a shuttle configured to move along the track. The shuttle may include a conveyor, and a first receiver configured to wirelessly receive the power and the data from the first transmitter, where the power is used to power the conveyor. The shuttle may not have an onboard power source coupled to the conveyor.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for interconnected sortation systems with multiple inputs and destinations. In one embodiment, an example system may include a first sortation system, a second sortation system, a first induction station to induct items into the system, and a second induction station to induct items into the system. The system may include a track configured to connect the first sortation system to both the first induction station and the second induction station, and to connect the second sortation system to both the first induction station and the second induction station. The system may include a number of shuttles configured to move along the track.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for shuttle turning systems having linear synchronous motors. In one embodiment, an example system for shuttle transportation may include a first linear synchronous motor arranged in a first orientation, a second linear synchronous motor arranged in a second orientation that is transverse to the first orientation, and a shuttle. The shuttle may have a first permanent magnet coupled to the shuttle and a second permanent magnet coupled to the shuttle, where the first permanent magnet is arranged parallel to the first orientation and the second permanent magnet is arranged parallel to the second orientation. The shuttle may be configured to be propelled in a first direction via the first linear synchronous motor and the first permanent magnet, and to be propelled in a second direction via the second linear synchronous motor and the second linear synchronous motor.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for contactless powering and control of conveyors on shuttles. An example system may include a track, a first transmitter disposed at a first location along the track, the first transmitter configured to transmit power and data wirelessly, and a shuttle configured to move along the track. The shuttle may include a conveyor, and a first receiver configured to wirelessly receive the power and the data from the first transmitter, where the power is used to power the conveyor. The shuttle may not have an onboard power source coupled to the conveyor.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses are disclosed for external mobility systems for heavy machinery and equipment. In one embodiment, an example system may include a first module, a second module coupled to the first module, and a third module coupled to the first module and the second module. Systems may include an air bearing system disposed under the third module, where the air bearing system is configured to apply an upward force on the third module, and an air supply coupled to the air bearing system. The upward force on the third module may reduce a static friction of the third module with respect to a floor surface by at least 90%, such that the third module can slide from a default position to an expanded position.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for elevators for material handling shuttles. In one embodiment, an example system configured to change elevation of a shuttle may include an elevator track disposed between a loading zone and an unloading zone, and a platform coupled to the elevator track and configured to move between the loading zone and the unloading zone. The platform may be configured to engage with a lower surface of the shuttle at the loading zone. The platform may be configured to lift the shuttle off a first set of rails at the loading zone, and to position the shuttle onto a second set of rails at the unloading zone.

Abstract: Item singulation systems and methods may include an input conveyor, a vision system, and an output conveyor that receives items from the input conveyor. The vision system may determine individual columns of items from among a plurality of items on the input conveyor. Operations of the input conveyor and output conveyor may be controlled substantially as a pull system to transfer individual columns of items to the output conveyor, such that singulated items can be transferred by the output conveyor to downstream processes.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for wireless powering and control of conveyors on shuttles. An example system may include a track, and a shuttle configured to move along the track, the shuttle having a conveyor, and a first induction coil. The system may include a second induction coil disposed at a first location along the track, where the second induction coil is configured to interact with the first induction coil to power the conveyor. The shuttle may not have an onboard power source coupled to the conveyor.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for wireless powering and control of conveyors on shuttles. An example system may include a track, and a shuttle configured to move along the track, the shuttle having a conveyor, and a first induction coil. The system may include a second induction coil disposed at a first location along the track, where the second induction coil is configured to interact with the first induction coil to power the conveyor. The shuttle may not have an onboard power source coupled to the conveyor.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses are disclosed for automated container retrieval and delivery systems. In one embodiment, an example container handling system may include a platform, a first rotatable arm disposed on a lower side of the platform, where the first rotatable arm is offset from a front end of the platform, a motor configured to rotate the first rotatable arm from a first position to a second position, and a first wheel disposed at a distal end of the first rotatable arm. The container handling system may be configured to raise a container from an angled position to a horizontal position, and the container may be in the horizontal position when the first rotatable arm is in the second position.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for automated item sortation and container handling. In one embodiment, an example method may include determining, by a controller, a first item identifier of a first item at an induction portion of a sortation system, determining an order identifier associated with the first item identifier, and determining a first container associated with the order identifier. The method may include causing a first mobile carrier unit to receive the item, and causing the first mobile carrier unit to deliver the first item to the first container.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for dynamically configurable articulating surfaces for mobile carrier units. In one embodiment, an example mobile carrier unit may include a number of tiles that form a surface on which to receive an object, the tiles including a first tile in a first row and a second tile in a first column. The mobile carrier unit may include a first actuator coupled to the first tile and configured to actuate the first tile in a first direction, and a second actuator coupled to the second tile and configured to actuate the second tile in a second direction. A portion of the tiles may be configured to be actuated into angled orientations at or near a perimeter of the object, such that the object is prevented from sliding along the surface past the tiles.

Abstract: Item singulation systems and methods may include an input conveyor, a separation conveyor, and an output conveyor that is positioned orthogonally to the input conveyor. A vision system may determine individual columns of items from among a plurality of items on the input conveyor. Operations of the input conveyor, separation conveyor, and output conveyor may be controlled substantially as a pull system to transfer individual columns of items to the output conveyor, such that singulated items can be transferred by the output conveyor to downstream processes.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for removable conveyor cartridge assemblies for mobile carrier units. In one embodiment, an example removable assembly for a mobile carrier unit of a sortation system may include a frame, a conveyor belt disposed about the frame, a first sheet metal component coupled to a first side of the frame, the first sheet metal component including a first set of tabs extending from the first sheet metal component, and a tensioning device configured to tension the conveyor belt, the tensioning device having a first screw that engages a first tab of the first set of tabs.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for automated item sortation and container handling. In one embodiment, an example method may include determining, by a controller, a first item identifier of a first item at an induction portion of a sortation system, determining an order identifier associated with the first item identifier, and determining a first container associated with the order identifier. The method may include causing a first mobile carrier unit to receive the item, and causing the first mobile carrier unit to deliver the first item to the first container.

Abstract: Item singulation systems and methods may include an input conveyor, a separation conveyor, a turn conveyor, and an output conveyor that is positioned parallel with the input conveyor. A vision system may determine individual columns of items from among a plurality of items on the input conveyor. Operations of the input conveyor, separation conveyor, turn conveyor, and output conveyor may be controlled substantially as a pull system to transfer individual columns of items to the output conveyor, such that singulated items can be transferred by the output conveyor to downstream processes.