U.S. patent application number 12/187999 was filed with the patent office on 2008-11-27 for system and method for pneumatic transport.
This patent application is currently assigned to THE CDA GROUP, LLC. Invention is credited to Timothy J. Owens.
Application Number | 20080292414 12/187999 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38288362 |
Filed Date | 2008-11-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080292414 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Owens; Timothy J. |
November 27, 2008 |
System and Method for Pneumatic Transport
Abstract
A pneumatic transport system has a plurality of interconnected
stations for transporting a carrier containing a material.
Pneumatic travel tubes interconnect the stations. Each station has
a rotatable cartridge assembly with a first tube for pass-through
of the carrier, a second tube for loading the carrier, and a third
tube for receiving the carrier. Each tube is configurable to be
aligned with the travel tubes. A wear plate assembly is in slidable
communication with the rotatable cartridge assembly. The wear plate
assembly has a center plate with a solid portion, an opening for
passing the carrier, and an air-pass opening. A computer system
controls the configuration of the interconnected stations to
provide transport of the carrier between stations while passing
through intermediate stations without stopping movement of the
carrier. A user interface provides for entering commands to the
pneumatic transport system.
Inventors: |
Owens; Timothy J.; (Erie,
CO) |
Correspondence
Address: |
QUARLES & BRADY LLP
RENAISSANCE ONE, TWO NORTH CENTRAL AVENUE
PHOENIX
AZ
85004-2391
US
|
Assignee: |
THE CDA GROUP, LLC
Mesa
AZ
|
Family ID: |
38288362 |
Appl. No.: |
12/187999 |
Filed: |
August 7, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11623073 |
Jan 13, 2007 |
7424340 |
|
|
12187999 |
|
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|
60758905 |
Jan 13, 2006 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
406/182 ;
406/197 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65G 51/32 20130101;
B65G 51/46 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
406/182 ;
406/197 |
International
Class: |
B65G 51/16 20060101
B65G051/16 |
Claims
1. A pneumatic transport system, comprising: a carrier containing a
material; first and second chains of interconnected stations for
transporting the carrier, the first and second chains of
interconnected stations each defining interconnected transportation
zones, each station including, (a) first and second pneumatic
travel tubes for interconnecting the stations, and (b) a rotatable
cartridge assembly having a plurality of tubes, each tube
configurable to be aligned with the first and second pneumatic
travel tubes; a diverter connecting the first and second chains of
interconnected stations to transfer the carrier between the
interconnected transportation zones; and a computer system
controlling the configuration of each of the plurality of
interconnected stations to provide transport of the carrier between
first and second stations.
2. The pneumatic transport system of claim 1, further including a
wear plate assembly in slidable communication with the rotatable
cartridge assembly.
3. The pneumatic transport system of claim 2, wherein the wear
plate assembly includes a center plate having a solid portion, an
opening for passing the carrier, and an air-pass opening.
4. The pneumatic transport system of claim 2, including an electric
motor for rotating the wear plate assembly.
5. The pneumatic transport system of claim 1, further including an
electric motor for rotating the cartridge assembly.
6. The pneumatic transport system of claim 1, wherein the cartridge
assembly has a first tube for pass-through of the carrier and a
second tube for loading the carrier.
7. The pneumatic transport system of claim 1, further including a
user interface for entering commands to the pneumatic transport
system.
8. A pneumatic transport system, comprising: a carrier containing a
material; first and second chains of interconnected stations for
transporting the carrier, each station including, (a) first and
second pneumatic travel tubes for interconnecting the stations, and
(b) a rotatable cartridge assembly having a plurality of tubes,
each tube configurable to be aligned with the first and second
pneumatic travel tubes; a diverter connecting the first and second
chains of interconnected stations; and a computer system
controlling the configuration of each of the plurality of
interconnected stations to provide transport of the carrier between
first and second stations.
9. The pneumatic transport system of claim 8, further including a
wear plate assembly in slidable communication with the rotatable
cartridge assembly.
10. The pneumatic transport system of claim 9, wherein the wear
plate assembly includes a center plate having a solid portion, an
opening for passing the carrier, and an air-pass opening.
11. The pneumatic transport system of claim 9, including an
electric motor for rotating the wear plate assembly.
12. The pneumatic transport system of claim 8, further including an
electric motor for rotating the cartridge assembly.
13. The pneumatic transport system of claim 8, wherein the
cartridge assembly has a first tube for pass-through of the carrier
and a second tube for loading the carrier.
14. The pneumatic transport system of claim 8, further including a
user interface for entering commands to the pneumatic transport
system.
15. A pneumatic transport system, comprising: a carrier containing
a material; first and second chains of interconnected stations for
transporting the carrier, each station including, (a) first and
second pneumatic travel tubes for interconnecting the stations, and
(b) a rotatable cartridge assembly having a plurality of tubes,
each tube configurable to be aligned with the first and second
pneumatic travel tubes; and a diverter for transporting the carrier
between the first and second chains of interconnected stations.
16. The pneumatic transport system of claim 15, wherein the
diverter is connected to the first and second chains of
interconnected stations.
17. The pneumatic transport system of claim 15, further including a
wear plate assembly in slidable communication with the rotatable
cartridge assembly.
18. The pneumatic transport system of claim 17, wherein the wear
plate assembly includes a center plate having a solid portion, an
opening for passing the carrier, and an air-pass opening.
19. The pneumatic transport system of claim 17, including an
electric motor for rotating the wear plate assembly.
20. The pneumatic transport system of claim 15, further including
an electric motor for rotating the cartridge assembly.
21. The pneumatic transport system of claim 15, wherein the
cartridge assembly has a first tube for pass-through of the carrier
and a second tube for loading the carrier.
22. The pneumatic transport system of claim 15, further including a
user interface for entering commands to the pneumatic transport
system.
23. The pneumatic transport system of claim 15, wherein the carrier
contains medicines, supplies, or hazardous materials.
24. The pneumatic transport system of claim 15, including a
computer system controlling the configuration of each of the
plurality of interconnected stations to provide transport of the
carrier between first and second stations.
25. A method of transporting a carrier, comprising: providing a
carrier containing a material; providing first and second chains of
interconnected stations for transporting the carrier, each station
including, (a) first and second pneumatic travel tubes for
interconnecting the stations, and (b) a rotatable cartridge
assembly having a plurality of tubes, each tube configurable to be
aligned with the first and second pneumatic travel tubes; providing
a diverter for transporting the carrier between the first and
second chains of interconnected stations; and controlling the
configuration of each of the plurality of interconnected stations
to provide transport of the carrier between first and second
stations using a computer system.
Description
CLAIM TO DOMESTIC PRIORITY
[0001] The present application is a division of U.S. application
Ser. No. 11/623,073, filed Jan. 13, 2007, which claims the benefit
of priority of Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/758,905 entitled
"Pneumatic Transport System," filed Jan. 13, 2006, which
applications are hereby incorporated by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates in general to pneumatic
transport systems and, more particularly, to a system and method of
transporting materials between various stations without delaying
the movement of material.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Pneumatic tube systems are widely used in commercial
applications to move articles from one location to another
location. Pneumatic tube systems generally utilize a hollow
cylinder or "carrier" in which the materials are placed for
transport within the system. The carrier containing the materials
to be transported travels through pneumatic travel tubes. Such
systems have been used in department stores and banks for
bi-directionally movement of currency, deposit slips, sales slips,
and the like between the ends of a single tube.
[0004] Pneumatic tube systems are also commonly used in hospitals
and similar medical facilities for the rapid movement of medicines,
supplies, and biological samples within the building. In this
setting, the user needs a more complex system than a single tube
because the system must move carriers to different stations on
different floors. In one application, the pharmacy may need to send
carriers containing medication to one of many possible nurse's
stations. The nurse's station may need to send carriers containing
blood samples to the lab for analysis. In another situation, the
pharmacy may want to send the medication directly to the emergency
room. In such complex arrangements, a system of dedicated tubes
having single end points would be impractical since multiple tubes
would need to run to each of many locations.
[0005] To overcome this problem, "diverters", such as those
described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,529,335 have been used. Briefly, a
diverter has a plurality of tubes terminating in a revolving
cylinder. FIG. 1 illustrates source station 10 sending a carrier
through diverter 12. The diverter receives a carrier from tube 14,
rotates, and then sends the carrier back out another tube, e.g.,
tubes 16, 18, 20, and 22. For example, a carrier from station 10
(pharmacy) travels into a diverter and stops. The diverter rotates
until it is aligned with a desired exit tube. The blower then turns
on and sends the carrier back out through the selected exit tube to
the desired end location (nurse's station), possibly on a different
floor of the hospital.
[0006] The number of locations in either direction that can be
serviced is increased by employing multiple diverters. FIG. 1
illustrates diverters 30, 32, 34, and 36 being connected to tubes
16-22, respectively. Diverter 30 also connects to tubes 38, 40, 42,
and 44; diverter 32 also connects to tubes 46, 48, 50, and 52;
diverter 34 also connects to tubes 54, 56, 58, and 60; diverter 36
also connects to tubes 62, 64, 66, and 68. Stations 70, 72, 74, and
76 connect to tubes 38, 40, 42, and 44, respectively. Stations 78,
80, 82, and 84 connect to tubes 46, 48, 50, and 52, respectively.
Stations 86, 88, 90, and 92 connect to tubes 54, 56, 58, and 60,
respectively. Stations 94, 96, 97, and 98 connect to tubes 62, 64,
66, and 68, respectively.
[0007] Station 10 can route a carrier to station 70 by way of
diverter 12 and diverter 30. The carrier is routed from station 10
to diverter 12 by way of tube 14 and stops. Diverter 12 rotates to
align with tube 16. The carrier is then routed to diverter 30 and
stops. Diverter 30 rotates to align with tube 38. The carrier is
routed to station 70. In another example, station 72 can send a
carrier to station 98 by way of diverter 30, diverter 12, and
diverter 36. The carrier is routed from station 72 to diverter 30
by way of tube 40 and stops. Diverter 30 rotates to align with tube
16. The carrier is then routed to diverter 12 and stops. Diverter
12 rotates to align with tube 22. The carrier is then routed to
diverter 36 and stops. Diverter 36 rotates to align with tube 68.
The carrier is routed to station 98. A return trip from station 98
to station 72, which is common, uses the same tubes and diverters
in the opposite order. The carrier moving from station 72 to
station 98 and back again may require eight diverter rotations plus
two carrier stops plus two carrier starts each by three different
diverters. In general, the carrier may be required to stop at each
diverter depending on the specific layout.
[0008] Yet, even with the flexibility of the pneumatic system of
FIG. 1, the number of inlet and outlet tubes possible on any given
diverter is limited due to space concerns and limitations on the
size of the rotational mechanisms. In addition, each station is an
end point that relies upon a dedicated diverter for sending and
receiving a carrier. Accordingly, the needs of even a modest
hospital require many diverters in order to service the large
number of entry points. Diverters also increase travel time due to
stoppage of the carrier and the rotation to align with different
tubes, increase maintenance costs due to failure of the moving
parts of the diverters, and have relatively high capital costs.
[0009] Accordingly, a need exists for a pneumatic transport system
that decreases travel time and reduces system capital costs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] In one embodiment, the present invention is a pneumatic
transport system comprising a carrier containing a material. A
plurality of interconnected stations transports the carrier. Each
station has first and second pneumatic travel tubes for
interconnecting the stations, and a rotatable cartridge assembly
having a plurality of tubes which are each configurable to be
aligned with the first and second pneumatic travel tubes. A
computer system controls the configuration of each of the plurality
of interconnected stations to provide transport of the carrier
between first and second stations while passing through
intermediate stations between the first and second stations without
stopping movement of the carrier.
[0011] In another embodiment, the present invention is a pneumatic
transport system comprising a carrier containing a material. A
first and second chain of interconnected stations transport the
carrier. Each station has first and second pneumatic travel tubes
for interconnecting the stations, and a rotatable cartridge
assembly having a plurality of tubes which are each configurable to
be aligned with the first and second pneumatic travel tubes. A
diverter connects the first and second chains of interconnected
stations. A computer system controls the configuration of each of
the plurality of interconnected stations to provide transport of
the carrier between first and second stations.
[0012] In another embodiment, the present invention is a
computer-controlled pneumatic transport system comprising a
plurality of interconnected stations for transporting a carrier.
Each station has first and second pneumatic travel tubes for
interconnecting the stations, and a rotatable cartridge assembly
having a plurality of tubes which are each configurable to be
aligned with the first and second pneumatic travel tubes.
[0013] In another embodiment, the present invention is a
computer-implemented method of controlling pneumatic transport of
carriers comprising the steps of transporting a carrier through a
plurality of stations interconnected by pneumatic travel tubes,
rotating a cartridge assembly within each station to align
cartridge tubes with the pneumatic travel tubes, and controlling
the configuration of each of the plurality of stations to provide
transport of the carrier between first and second stations while
passing through intermediate stations between the first and second
stations without stopping movement of the carrier.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 illustrates a known pneumatic transport system using
diverters;
[0015] FIG. 2 illustrates a pneumatic transport system arranged in
a loop of stations;
[0016] FIG. 3 illustrates a station with rotating cartridge
assembly with tubes aligned to the pneumatic travel tubes;
[0017] FIG. 4 illustrates a wear plate assembly for the rotating
cartridge assembly;
[0018] FIG. 5 illustrates a pneumatic transport system having
multiple loops connected by diverters;
[0019] FIG. 6 illustrates another pneumatic transport system having
multiple loops connected without any diverter;
[0020] FIG. 7 illustrates a computer system for controlling the
pneumatic transport system; and
[0021] FIG. 8 illustrates further detail of the computer system for
controlling the pneumatic transport system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] The present invention is described in one or more
embodiments in the following description with reference to the
Figures, in which like numerals represent the same or similar
elements. While the invention is described in terms of the best
mode for achieving the invention's objectives, it will be
appreciated by those skilled in the art that it is intended to
cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be
included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by
the appended claims and their equivalents as supported by the
following disclosure and drawings.
[0023] Referring to FIG. 2, a pneumatic transport system 100 is
shown having a plurality of pass-through entry stations 102, 104,
106, 108, 110, 112, 114, and 116. In the present discussion,
pneumatic transport system 100 will be described in terms of a
hospital transport system. The system can be used in any
application where there is a need to transport material from one
location to another location, e.g., manufacturing plants, financial
transaction processing centers, businesses, retail, government
facilities, shipping services, universities, hotels, etc. In the
present example, station 102 may be located in the hospital
pharmacy, stations 104-108 may be individual nurse's desks, station
110 may be patient admitting, station 112 may be an emergency room,
station 114 may be x-ray, and station 116 may be a laboratory.
[0024] Each pass-through entry station has several functions. In
one aspect, each station can receive a carrier containing a
material to be transported. A carrier is a hollow, cylindrical
vessel or container with an access door or hatch that can be opened
and closed. The carrier must be suitable to transport through a
pneumatic tube under air pressure. The carrier typically has bumper
guards on each end to absorb the impact of traveling through the
pneumatic tubes and the sudden stop at the destination station
without damaging the material inside. The material can be anything
that can disposed within the carrier for transport from one
location to another. In a hospital setting, the material can be
orders, records, medicines, supplies, and biological samples. In a
business or industrial setting, the material can be documents,
receipts, reports, component parts, just to name a few. The user
places the material in the carrier and closes the carrier access
door. The user gains access to the pass-through entry station,
typically through a panel or access door and introduces the carrier
in the pneumatic system. Each station has the ability to pass
through carriers or receive carriers originating from other
stations.
[0025] Pneumatic transport system 100 is arranged in "loops" or
"zones" to allow carriers to move from station to station within
the loop under computer control. As shown in FIG. 2, in loop 118,
station 102 is connected to station 104 by way of pneumatic travel
tube 130 for routing the carrier between the stations; station 104
is connected to station 106 by way of pneumatic travel tube 132;
station 106 is connected to station 108 by way of pneumatic travel
tube 134; station 108 is connected to station 110 by way of
pneumatic travel tube 136; station 110 is connected to station 112
by way of pneumatic travel tube 138; station 112 is connected to
station 114 by way of pneumatic travel tube 140; station 114 is
connected to station 116 by way of pneumatic travel tube 142;
station 116 is connected to station 102 by way of pneumatic travel
tube 144. Each pneumatic travel tube is generally circular in cross
section and sufficiently airtight that either a vacuum or
overpressure induced in the tube causes movement of air to
transport carriers contained within the tube.
[0026] The stations within a loop are organized in different
logical layouts or chains. For example, the loop may connect highly
interactive areas to aid in rapid transport of materials between
hospital facilities that frequently interact and need quick
response, e.g., loop 118 may connect patient admitting with the
emergency room, x-ray, and blood analysis laboratory.
Alternatively, the loop may connect areas in close proximity, e.g.,
loop 118 may cover one floor or wing of a hospital.
[0027] The computer system controls entry and movement of carriers
within the tubes, including the speed at which the carrier moves
within the tubes. The computer controls whether each station within
the loop will pass through the carrier or capture the carrier. To
transport a carrier from station 102 to station 108, the carrier is
introduced into station 102. Stations 104 and 106 are intermediate
between stations 102 and 108 and are set by the computer system to
pass through the carrier. Station 108 is set by the computer system
to receive or capture the carrier. The carrier passes from station
102, through intermediate stations 104 and 106 without stopping,
and is deposited at station 108. Pneumatic transport system 100 is
bi-directional. To transport a carrier from station 108 to station
102, the carrier is introduced into station 108. Intermediate
stations 106 and 104 are set by the computer system to pass through
the carrier. Station 102 is set by the computer system to receive
the carrier. The carrier passes from station 108, through
intermediate stations 106 and 104 without stopping, and is
deposited at station 102.
[0028] Likewise, to transport a carrier from station 116 to station
110, the carrier is introduced into station 116. Stations 112 and
114 are intermediate between stations 116 and 110 and are set by
the computer system to pass through the carrier. Station 110 is set
by the computer system to receive the carrier. The carrier passes
from station 116, through intermediate stations 114 and 112 without
stopping, and is deposited at station 110. To transport a carrier
from station 110 to station 116, the carrier is introduced into
station 110. Intermediate stations 112 and 114 are set by the
computer system to pass through the carrier. Station 116 is set by
the computer system to receive the carrier. The carrier passes from
station 110, through intermediate stations 112 and 114 without
stopping, and is deposited at station 116. As discussed below,
pneumatic transport system 100 will select the most efficient
route, which may be but is not necessarily the shortest route.
[0029] Further detail of pass-through entry station 102 is shown in
FIG. 3 as exemplary of the other stations. The pass-through entry
station 102 has housing 150 with access door. Inside the station
housing, a rotatable cartridge assembly 152 has a plurality of
cartridge tubes 153, 154, and 155. End plates 156 cap the cartridge
assembly and form an airtight seal with collar 158. The cartridge
assembly 152 rotates by electric motors 160 under computer control
and aligns with respect to pneumatic travel tubes 130 and 144.
Control panel 157 receives operator commands to control the system,
e.g., by computer keyboard or touch screen. When cartridge assembly
152 rotates, collar 158 is biased against the surface of the end
plates 156 to prevent loss of vacuum between cartridge tube
assembly 152 and travel tubes 130 and 144, while reducing wear on
the engaged surfaces and preventing loss of pressure from the
pneumatic system. Collar 158 may be a single piece fitted around
travel tubes 130 and 144 and downwardly biased by gravity. Collar
158 may also include ring 162 that is rigidly affixed to the
outside surface of travel tubes 130 and 144 and a plurality of
springs 164 to bias collar 158 away from ring 162.
[0030] FIG. 4 illustrates wear plate assembly 178 as having center
plate 180 and wears plates 182, which are removably attached to the
upper and lower surfaces of center plate 180. Wear plates 182 are
formed of plastic or other low friction material and are in
slidable communication with cartridge end plates 156. Wear plates
182 may be contiguous with center plate 180. Wear plate assembly
178 further includes a center spring mechanism 186 to bias the
weight of cartridge assembly 152 off wear plates 182 to reduce the
rate of wear. Wear plate assembly 178 includes carrier pass opening
188 and air-pass openings 190 in center plate 180 and wear plates
182, but is otherwise a solid, contiguous surface.
[0031] Consider the operation of pass-through entry station 102
with pneumatic transport system 100 described as follows. The user
places the material to be transported into carrier 166 of FIG. 3.
The user closes carrier 166 and loads it into cartridge tube 155
through opening 159. Using the control panel 157, the user enters
the destination of the carrier 166 containing the material to be
transported. The operator may further specify the materials
enclosed in the carrier 166. The computer system determines the
most efficient route to the destination in order to send the
carrier in the appropriate direction within the tube.
[0032] The computer control engages electric motors 160 to rotate
cartridge assembly 152 such that loading cartridge tube 155 aligns
with pneumatic travel tubes 130 and 144. Wear plate assembly 178
rotates such that air-pass openings 190 are aligned with the
pneumatic travel tubes to support carrier 166. The pneumatic system
is pressured to send carrier 166 toward its destination
station.
[0033] In the present example, assume the destination is station
108. The most efficient path is determined to be through stations
104 and 106. The most efficient path could have been through
stations 116, 114, 112, 110, if the path through station 104 and
106 is busy with another transport operation, or if station 104 or
106 is not operational. The computer system controls cartridge
assemblies 152 in stations 104 and 106 to align cartridge tubes 154
with the pneumatic travel tubes associated with each station. In
other words, the pneumatic transport system 100 automatically
aligns each intermediate station in the carrier's path to a
pass-through mode so the carrier passes through each intermediate
station without stopping. With the unique configuration of the
intermediate stations in pneumatic transport system 100, the
carrier does not stop once in motion. Wear plate assembly 178 of
stations 104 and 106 is rotated such that carrier pass opening 188
is aligned with the pneumatic travel tubes. The cartridge assembly
152 in stations 104 and 106 acts like any other section of travel
tube to pass through the carrier toward the next station.
[0034] The computer system further controls cartridge assembly 152
for station 108 to be in capture mode by aligning receiving
cartridge tube 153 with the pneumatic travel tubes for station 108
to stop carrier 166. Wear plate assembly 178 of station 108 rotates
such that the solid portion is aligned with the pneumatic travel
tubes. The pneumatic transport system 100 automatically slows down
the flow of air to slow the speed of carrier 166 as it approaches
station 108 in order to prevent damage to materials that are
sensitive to high gravitational forces that may be generated as the
carrier accelerates and decelerates. As the carrier approaches its
destination station as indicated by a pressure build-up from the
column of air in front of the carrier, a pressure relief valve
opens in response to the pressure build-up to reduce the pressure
in the pneumatic travel tube which slows the carrier's approach
into the station.
[0035] Accordingly, the carrier 166 travels from station 102,
through intermediate stations 104 and 106, without stopping, to its
destination and is deposited in receiving cartridge tube 153 of
station 108. As carrier 166 approaches station 108, the solid
surface provides backpressure to slow carrier 166 and supports
carrier 166 within station 108. The cartridge assembly 152 in
station 108 rotates away from the pneumatic travel tubes and
carrier 166 falls from receiving cartridge tube 153 into drop bin
168.
[0036] FIG. 5 illustrates transport system 200 as a more complex
arrangement which includes diverters as described in FIG. 1.
Pneumatic transport loop or chain 201 includes station 202 which is
connected to station 204 by way of pneumatic travel tube 206 for
routing the carrier between the stations; station 204 is connected
to station 208 by way of pneumatic travel tube 210; station 208 is
connected to diverter 212 by way of pneumatic travel tube 214;
station 202 is connected to station 216 by way of pneumatic travel
tube 218; station 216 is connected to station 220 by way of
pneumatic travel tube 222; station 220 is connected to diverter 212
by way of pneumatic travel tube 224.
[0037] Pneumatic transport loop or chain 230 is part of system 200
and includes station 232 which is connected to station 234 by way
of pneumatic travel tube 236 for routing the carrier between the
stations; station 234 is connected to station 238 by way of
pneumatic travel tube 240; station 238 is connected to diverter 242
by way of pneumatic travel tube 244; station 232 is connected to
station 246 by way of pneumatic travel tube 248; station 246 is
connected to station 250 by way of pneumatic travel tube 252;
station 250 is connected to diverter 242 by way of pneumatic travel
tube 254. Diverter 242 is connected to diverter 212 by way of
pneumatic travel tube 256.
[0038] Pneumatic transport loop or chain 260 is also part of system
200 and includes station 262 which is connected to station 264 by
way of pneumatic travel tube 266 for routing the carrier between
the stations; station 264 is connected to station 268 by way of
pneumatic travel tube 270; station 268 is connected to diverter 272
by way of pneumatic travel tube 274; station 262 is connected to
station 276 by way of pneumatic travel tube 278; station 276 is
connected to station 280 by way of pneumatic travel tube 282;
station 280 is connected to diverter 272 by way of pneumatic travel
tube 284. Diverter 272 is connected to diverter 212 by way of
pneumatic travel tube 286. Diverter 272 is also connected to
diverter 242 by way of pneumatic travel tube 288.
[0039] Pneumatic transport link 290 is also part of system 200 and
includes station 292 which is connected to station 276 by way of
pneumatic travel tube 294 for routing the carrier between the
stations; station 292 is connected to station 296 by way of
pneumatic travel tube 298; station 296 is connected to station 300
by way of pneumatic travel tube 302.
[0040] Pneumatic transport loops 201, 230, and 260 may be in
different wings or floors of the hospital. To route a carrier from
station 202 to station 232, the computer system controls
intermediate stations 204 and 208 to pass the carrier through to
diverter 212. Diverter 212 stops the carrier, rotates to align with
tube 256, and sends the carrier to diverter 242. Diverter 242 stops
the carrier, rotates to align with tube 244, and sends the carrier
to station 238. Intermediate stations 238 and 234 are also set to
pass-through mode and station 232 is set to capture mode so the
carrier arrives at the intended destination. To then route a
carrier from station 232 to station 262, the computer system
controls intermediate stations 246 and 250 to pass the carrier
through to diverter 242. Diverter 242 stops the carrier, rotates to
align with tube 288, and sends the carrier to diverter 272.
Diverter 272 stops the carrier, rotates to align with tube 274, and
sends the carrier to station 268. Intermediate stations 268 and 264
are also set to pass-through mode and station 262 is set to capture
mode so the carrier arrives at the intended destination.
[0041] FIG. 6 illustrates transport system 310 as one pneumatic
transport loop connected to another transport loop, without using
diverters. Pneumatic transport loop 312 includes station 314 which
is connected to station 316 by way of pneumatic travel tube 318 for
routing the carrier between the stations; station 316 is connected
to station 320 by way of pneumatic travel tube 322; station 320 is
connected to station 324 by way of pneumatic travel tube 326;
station 324 is connected to station 328 by way of pneumatic travel
tube 330; station 328 is connected to station 332 by way of
pneumatic travel tube 334; station 332 is connected to station 336
by way of pneumatic travel tube 338; station 336 is connected to
station 340 by way of pneumatic travel tube 342; station 340 is
connected to station 314 by way of pneumatic travel tube 344.
[0042] Pneumatic transport loop 350 is also part of system 310 and
includes station 352 which is connected to station 328 by way of
pneumatic travel tube 354 for routing the carrier between the
stations; station 352 is connected to station 356 by way of
pneumatic travel tube 358; station 356 is connected to station 360
by way of pneumatic travel tube 362; station 360 is connected to
station 328 by way of pneumatic travel tube 364.
[0043] To route a carrier from station 314 to station 328, the
computer system controls intermediate stations 316, 320, and 324 to
pass the carrier straight through to station 328, without the
carrier stopping its motion. Alternatively, the carrier may pass
straight through intermediate stations 340, 336, and 332 to get to
station 328, again without the carrier stopping its motion. Station
328 is set to capture mode so the carrier arrives at the intended
destination. To route a carrier from station 356 to station 328,
the computer system controls intermediate station 360 to pass the
carrier straight through to station 328, without the carrier
stopping its motion. Alternatively, the carrier may pass straight
through intermediate station 352 to get to station 328, again
without the carrier stopping its motion. Station 328 is set to
capture mode so the carrier arrives at the intended
destination.
[0044] The cartridge assembly 152 in station 328 rotates between
two sets of pneumatic travel tubes. The cartridge assembly in
station 328 may have five tubes: two adjacent pass-through tubes,
one loading tube, one receiving tube, and another pass-through tube
between the loading tube and the receiving tube. The pass-through
cartridge tubes provide a straight pass through between travel
tubes 330 and 334 and between travel tubes 364 and 354. When a
carrier is loaded, the loading cartridge tube aligns with the
intended pneumatic travel tubes. When a carrier is received, the
receiving cartridge tube aligns with the active pneumatic travel
tube. The cartridge assembly then rotates and deposits the carrier
in the drop bin.
[0045] In a similar manner, the cartridge assembly 152 in station
276 rotates between two sets of pneumatic travel tubes. When a
carrier is loaded, the loading cartridge tube aligns with the
intended pneumatic travel tubes. When a carrier is received, the
receiving cartridge tube aligns with the active pneumatic travel
tube. The cartridge assembly then rotates and deposits the carrier
in the drop bin. Pneumatic transport link 290 and pneumatic
transport loops 312 and 350 demonstrate that pneumatic loops and
links can be connected without diverters.
[0046] The pneumatic transport system 100 uses software operating
on a computer system for controlling the transport of carriers
between multiple stations utilizing stations, diverters, and
blowers. FIG. 7 illustrates a simplified computer system 400 for
executing the software program used in the pneumatic transport
system 100. Computer system 400 is a general-purpose computer
including a central processing unit or microprocessor 402, mass
storage device or hard disk 404, electronic memory 406, and
communication port 408. Communication port 408 represents an
electronic connection to transmit and receive command and control
data to system components, such as station controllers 410 and 412,
blowers 414, and diverters 416.
[0047] The computer system runs application software and computer
programs which can be used to control the system components,
provide user interface, and provide the features of the pneumatic
transport system 100. The software is originally provided on
computer-readable media, such as compact disks (CDs), magnetic
tape, or other mass storage medium. Alternatively, the software is
downloaded from electronic links such as the host or vendor
website. The software is installed onto the computer system hard
drive 404 and/or electronic memory 406, and is accessed and
controlled by the computer's operating system. Software updates are
also electronically available on mass storage media or downloadable
from the host or vendor website. The software, as provided on the
computer-readable media or downloaded from electronic links,
represents a computer program product usable with a programmable
computer processor having computer-readable program code embodied
therein. The software contains one or more programming modules,
subroutines, computer links, and compilations of executable code,
which perform the functions of the pneumatic transport system 100.
The user interacts with the software via keyboard, mouse, voice
recognition, and other user-interface devices connected to the
computer system.
[0048] FIG. 8 illustrates further detail of the pneumatic transport
control system. The control system includes the main computer
controller, e.g., computer system 400, multiple station controllers
410 and 412, and embedded controllers for the blowers 414 and
diverters 416. The main computer controller is responsible for
processing all the information from all devices and managing the
transfer of carriers through the system. The main computer
controller contains software for configuring the pneumatic
transport system 100, displaying carrier transport information,
recording and displaying station, diverter, blower and zone status,
processing carrier transport information from the stations,
scheduling carrier transports, generating the optimal path for the
carrier, executing a carrier transfer, reporting system errors,
recording carrier transport information and storing the information
in a database, and downloading software upgrades to all stations.
The user interface has graphical user interface (GUI).
[0049] The main computer controller 400 has network interface 420
to blowers 414, person computers 422, and TCU 424. The network
interface connects to scheduler and traffic controller 426 which
schedules and tracks movement of all carriers and configuration of
all stations with the pneumatic transport system 100. Zone
controller 428 has electronic modules dedicated to control the
stations within each loop or zone within the system. The zone
controllers reside in their own threads that will spawn when
control is needed. The up-to-date control information and any
errors are sent through database interface 430 to database 432. The
scheduler and traffic controller 426 also interfaces with database
432 and sends and receives information via user interface 436.
Report generator 434 receives up-to-date configuration and status
information from the database and presents the information to the
user via user interface 436.
[0050] Each station controller contains software for receiving user
commands through a GUI, transferring that information to the main
computer controller, and controlling the hardware necessary to
process a carrier transport, e.g., the rotatable cartridge assembly
152. Network interface 440 communicates with network interface 420
of the main computer 400. GUI 442 interacts with network interface
440, station controller 444, and station database 446. Likewise,
station controller 444 interacts with network interface 440,
station database 446, and hardware interface 448. Hardware
interface 448 controls station hardware 450 such as the rotation of
cartridge assembly 152, wear plate 178, and electric motors
160.
[0051] The communication between the stations, blowers, diverters,
and main computer is done using transmission control
protocol/internet protocol (TCP/IP). The system communication is
propagated using the client/server model. The model is separated by
two distinct categories that can be described as, a requester of
information the client, and the server of information the server.
The stations and the main computer controller act as both the
client and the server, while the blowers and the diverters act as a
client.
[0052] The user interfaces in the system have security restrictions
on them based on the user level of the individual operating the
system. Users can create unique passwords and track individual
utilizations of the system. The security model allows users to be
added and removed from the system and assigns levels of security
for each individual to manage the operation of the system. The
security levels allow certain areas of the user interface to be
controlled based on the user's security level, which helps restrict
certain individuals from retrieving or sending restricted contents
of a carrier. The security levels also prevent unauthorized users
from modifying the system design or hardware operations.
[0053] The pneumatic transport system software utilizes NET and
structured query language (SQL) server technology to create a
robust secure data system for generating, storing, and displaying
the necessary data for executing and recording the transfer of
carriers in the system. The system allows multiple stations to
request, process, and execute carrier transfers. The system allows
carrier paths to be generated from relationships between objects in
the system. These relationships are stored as data in the SQL
server database along with their attributes. The path generator
will generate all possible paths between two stations. After
analyzing each of the paths in terms of length, present usage, and
off-line stations, the main computer controller determines the most
efficient and effective path for a carrier to travel. All
information transferring to and from the data base is executed
through embedded stored procedures residing on the SQL server.
[0054] In addition, the data associated with each transport is
stored in the SQL server database 432 for displaying on the user
interfaces and for generating reports. The transport data includes
start station, destination station, carrier contents, queue time,
transfer time, and the path used for the transfer. Data associated
with alarms and errors that occur in the system are also stored in
the SQL server database 432.
[0055] The pneumatic transport system software provides a unique
interface that allows users to design a transport system using a
"tree view" approach in which the users graphically create a
transport system by inserting, deleting, and modifying objects of
the system. An object that is introduced into the tree view is
stored, along with its attributes and relationships to other
objects, in the SQL server database through a library of stored
procedures. These relationships and attributes are gathered and
utilized in SQL server store procedures to create the necessary
paths for carriers to flow through the system. In addition, this
data is used to update the user interface with information about
carrier transactions, alarms, maintenance records, and paths.
[0056] Consider one example where the user enters a command to
transport a carrier from one station to another. The user commands
are received through GUI 442 which are sent through network
interface 440 and network interface 420 to scheduler and traffic
controller 426. The optimal path is selected based on system status
and commands are sent via network interfaces 420 and 440 to each
station controller 444 along the designated path. The hardware is
configured by the station controllers and the carrier transport is
made.
[0057] While one or more embodiments of the present invention have
been illustrated in detail, the skilled artisan will appreciate
that modifications and adaptations to those embodiments may be made
without departing from the scope of the present invention as set
forth in the following claims.
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