According to the US Patent & Trademark Office, the invention relates to an “AMHS that allows an overhead hoist transport vehicle to load/unload parts directly to/from storage units included in the system. The AMHS includes an overhead hoist transport subsystem and a vertical carousel stocker having a plurality of storage bins.”
It added: “The subsystem includes an overhead hoist transport vehicle travelling along a suspended track defining a predetermined route. The route passes over the stocker, which allows the vehicle to access parts directly from one of the storage bins.”
An abstract of the invention, released by the Patent Office, said: “The selected bin is positioned at the top of the stocker underneath the track. Next, the vehicle is moved along the track to a position above the selected bin. The hoist is then lowered parallel to the longitudinal axis of the stocker toward the selected bin. Finally, the hoist is operated to pick parts directly from the bin, or to place parts in the bin.”
The inventors were issued US Patent Number 7,165,927 on January 23 2007.
The patent has been assigned to Brooks Automation Inc., Chelmsford, Massachusetts.
