Systems and methods for providing an industrial cart for a grow pod

{
  "publication_number": "US10602676B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Systems and methods for providing an industrial cart for a grow pod",
  "abstract": "A cart having a wheel, a drive motor coupled to the wheel such that an output of the drive motor causes the wheel to rotate and propel the cart, a cart-computing device communicatively coupled to the drive motor; and one or more sensors communicatively coupled to the cart-computing device, the one or more sensors generating one or more signals in response to a detected event. The cart-computing device receives a communication signal and electrical power via the wheel. The communication signal corresponds to one or more instructions for controlling an operation of the cart. The cart-computing device receives the one or more signals from the one or more sensors. The cart-computing device generates and transmits a control signal to the drive motor to cause the drive motor to operate based on at least one of the one or more signals generated by the one or more sensors or the communication signal.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A cart comprising: a wheel; a drive motor coupled to the wheel such that an output of the drive motor causes the wheel to rotate and propel the cart; a cart-computing device communicatively coupled to the drive motor; and one or more sensors communicatively coupled to the cart-computing device, the one or more sensors generating one or more signals in response to a detected event, wherein: the cart-computing device receives an electrical signal via the wheel, wherein the electrical signal comprises a communication signal and electrical power, the communication signal corresponds to one or more instructions for controlling an operation of the cart, the cart-computing device receives the one or more signals from the one or more sensors, and the cart-computing device generates and transmits a control signal to the drive motor to cause the drive motor to operate based on at least one of the one or more signals generated by the one or more sensors or the communication signal.",
    "2. The cart of claim 1, wherein the wheel electrically couples with the drive motor and the cart-computing device such that the electrical power received by the wheel powers the drive motor and the cart-computing device.",
    "3. The cart of claim 1, wherein the communication signal corresponds to one or more instructions that cause the drive motor to operate at a speed and a direction.",
    "4. The cart of claim 1, wherein the control signal generated by the cart-computing device causes the drive motor to operate at a speed and a direction.",
    "5. The cart of claim 1, wherein the one or more signals generated by the one or more sensors include a signal indicative of a distance between the one or more sensors and the detected event.",
    "6. The cart of claim 1, wherein the detected event corresponds to detecting, with the one or more sensors, a presence of a second cart and the one or more signals generated by the one or more sensors include a signal indicative of a distance between the cart and the second cart.",
    "7. The cart of claim 1, wherein the detected event corresponds to detecting, with the one or more sensors, detection of a location marker and the one or more signals generated by the one or more sensors indicate a particular location identified by the location marker.",
    "8. The cart of claim 1, wherein: the one or more sensors include a trailing sensor coupled to the cart to generate the one or more signals in response to the detected event behind the cart, the detected event corresponds to detection of a presence of a trailing cart behind the cart, the one or more sensors generate the one or more signals that include a signal indicative of a distance between the cart and the trailing cart, and in response to the one or more signals, the cart-computing device generates a first control signal that decreases a speed of the drive motor when the distance between the cart and the trailing cart is above a threshold value and the cart-computing device generates a second control signal that increases the speed of the drive motor when the distance between the cart and the trailing cart is below the threshold value.",
    "9. The cart of claim 1, wherein: the one or more sensors include a leading sensor coupled to the cart to generate the one or more signals in response to the detected event in front of the cart, the detected event corresponds to detection of a presence of a leading cart in front of the cart, the one or more sensors generate the one or more signals that include a signal indicative of a distance between the cart and the leading cart, and in response to the one or more signals, the cart-computing device generates a first control signal that decreases a speed of the drive motor when the distance between the cart and the leading cart is below a threshold value and the cart-computing device generates a second control signal that increases the speed of the drive motor when the distance between the cart and the leading cart is above the threshold value.",
    "10. The cart of claim 1, wherein the cart includes a tray for growing at least one of the following: a plant, a seedling, or a seed.",
    "11. A system comprising: a track; a master controller communicatively coupled to the track; and a plurality of carts supported on the track, at least one cart of the plurality of carts comprising: a wheel supported on the track and electrically coupled to the track, a drive motor coupled to the wheel such that an output of the drive motor causes the wheel to rotate and propel the at least one cart along the track, a cart-computing device communicatively coupled to the drive motor, and one or more sensors communicatively coupled to the cart-computing device, the one or more sensors generating one or more signals in response to a detected event, wherein: the cart-computing device receives, via the track and the wheel, an electrical signal wherein the electrical signal comprises a communication signal transmitted from the master controller and electrical power, the communication signal, generated by the master controller, corresponds to one or more instructions for controlling an operation of the at least one cart, the cart-computing device receives the one or more signals from the one or more sensors, and the cart-computing device generates and transmits a control signal to the drive motor to cause the drive motor to operate based on at least one of the following: the one or more signals or the communication signal.",
    "12. The system of claim 11, wherein the wheel electrically couples with the drive motor and the cart-computing device such that the electrical power from the track powers the drive motor and the cart-computing device.",
    "13. The system of claim 11, wherein the communication signal, transmitted by the master controller to the cart-computing device of the at least one cart via the track and the wheel of the at least one cart, corresponds to one or more instructions that cause the drive motor to operate at a speed and a direction.",
    "14. The system of claim 11, wherein the track further comprises a first electrically conductive portion and a second electrically conductive portion separated by a non-conductive portion such that the first electrically conductive portion transmits a first electrical power signal that is separate from a second electrical power signal transmitted by the second electrically conductive portion and the at least one cart is configured to select either electrical power from either the first electrical power signal or the second electrical power signal when traversing the track from the first electrically conductive portion to the second electrically conductive portion.",
    "15. The system of claim 11, wherein: a leading cart of the plurality of carts is positioned behind a trailing cart of the plurality of carts on the track, the one or more sensors of the leading cart detect a presence of the trailing cart and generate the one or more signals indicative of a distance between the leading cart and the trailing cart, the cart-computing device of the leading cart receives the one or more signals from the one or more sensors and, in response, adjusts the operation of the drive motor through the control signal, the control signal generated by the cart-computing device causes the drive motor of the leading cart to decrease in speed, when the distance between the leading cart and the trailing cart is above a threshold value, and the control signal generated by the cart-computing device causes the drive motor to increase in speed, when the distance between the leading cart and the trailing cart is below the threshold value.",
    "16. The system of claim 11, wherein: a leading cart of the plurality of carts is positioned in front of a trailing cart of the plurality of carts on the track, the one or more sensors of the leading cart detect a presence of the trailing cart and generate the one or more signals indicative of a distance between the leading cart and the trailing cart, the cart-computing device of the leading cart receives the one or more signals from the one or more sensors and in response adjusts the operation of the drive motor through the control signal, the control signal generated by the cart-computing device causes the drive motor of the leading cart to decrease in speed, when the distance between the leading cart and the trailing cart is above a threshold value, and the control signal generated by the cart-computing device causes the drive motor to increase in speed, when the distance between the leading cart and the trailing cart is below the threshold value.",
    "17. The system of claim 11, wherein the detected event corresponds to detecting, with the one or more sensors, a location marker positioned along the track and in response to detecting the location marker, the one or more signals generated by the one or more sensors indicate a particular location identified by the location marker.",
    "18. The system of claim 11, wherein the at least one cart includes a tray for growing at least one of the following: a plant, a seedling, or a seed.",
    "19. A system comprising: a track comprising at least one electrically conductive rail; a master controller communicatively coupled to the at least one electrically conductive rail of the track; and a plurality of carts wherein each of the plurality of carts comprises: one or more wheels supported on the track and electrically coupled to the at least one electrically conductive rail of the track, a drive motor coupled to the one or more wheels such that an output of the drive motor causes the one or more wheels to rotate and propel each one of the plurality of carts along the track, a cart-computing device communicatively coupled to the drive motor, and one or more sensors communicatively coupled to the cart-computing device, the one or more sensors generating one or more signals in response to a detected event, wherein: the cart-computing device receives, through the one or more wheels, an electrical signal comprising a communication signal transmitted from the master controller and electrical power propagating over the track, the communication signal, generated by the master controller, corresponds to one or more instructions for controlling an operation of the plurality of carts, the cart-computing device of at least one cart of the plurality of carts receives the one or more signals from the one or more sensors, and the cart-computing device of the at least one cart of the plurality of carts generates and transmits a control signal to the drive motor to cause the drive motor to operate based on at least one of the one or more signals generated by the one or more sensors or the communication signal.",
    "20. The system of claim 19, further comprising a remote computing device communicatively coupled to the plurality of carts and the master controller, wherein the remote computing device generates the one or more instructions for controlling the operation of the plurality of carts and transmits the one or more instructions as the communication signal through the track and the one or more wheels to the cart-computing device of each of the plurality of carts."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "Embodiments described herein generally relate to systems and methods for providing an industrial cart for a grow pod and, more specifically, to industrial carts in an assembly line configuration of a grow pod.\n\nWhile crop growth technologies have advanced over the years, there are still many problems in the farming and crop industry today. As an example, while technological advances have increased efficiency and production of various crops, many factors may affect a harvest, such as weather, disease, infestation, and the like. Additionally, certain countries, regions and/or populations may not have suitable farmland to grow particular crops.\n\nCurrently, greenhouses and grow houses utilize stationary trays for growing plants. This typically requires large amounts of floor space because workers must be able to access the trays in order to water and otherwise tend to the plants while they are growing. For example, stationary trays in greenhouses need to be periodically rotated or relocated so the plants growing within them receive the required amount of light and/or exposure to environmental conditions such as humidity or airflow. Consequently, greenhouses must provide additional floor space for workers to carry out these tasks and may be limited by the vertical reach of the worker. Greenhouses and grow houses are only an example where a facility needs to accommodate access to stationary objects from time to time by a worker. Other environments, such as warehouses, fulfillment centers or the like must also utilize large amounts of floor space and may be vertically limited by the height of their workers.",
  "cpc": [
    "A01G 9/143",
    "A01G 31/042",
    "B60L 2200/44",
    "B60L 5/04",
    "B61B 13/00",
    "B61B 13/02",
    "B61L 15/0027",
    "B61L 2201/00",
    "B61L 2210/02",
    "B61L 23/24",
    "B61L 23/34",
    "G05B 19/042",
    "G05B 19/4189",
    "G05B 2219/2641",
    "G05D 1/0027",
    "G05D 1/0289",
    "G05D 1/226",
    "G05D 1/69",
    "G05D 2201/0216",
    "Y02A 40/25",
    "Y02P 90/02",
    "Y02P 90/60"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "A01G 9/14",
    "B61L 23/34",
    "A01G 31/04",
    "B60L 5/04",
    "B61B 13/00",
    "B61B 13/02",
    "B61L 15/00",
    "G05B 19/042",
    "G05B 19/418",
    "G05D 1/00"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "Grow Solutions Tech LLC"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Gary Bret Millar",
    "Mark Gerald Stott",
    "Todd Garrett Tueller",
    "Michael Stephen Hurst",
    "Alan Ray Bentley",
    "Taylor John Woodbury",
    "Shane York"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2018-03-23",
  "publication_date": "2020-03-31",
  "grant_date": "2020-03-31",
  "priority_date": "2017-06-14",
  "application_number": "US-201815934436-A",
  "family_id": "64655981",
  "cited_by_count": 1,
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}