Autostore Technology As

Ivar Fjeldheim

Trond Austrheim

Ingvar Hognaland

Ingvar Fagerland

Jørgen Djuve Heggebø

Børge Bekken

Borge Bekken

Øystein Gjerdevik

Magne Hatteland

Jorgen Djuve Heggebo

Simen Aarseth

ØYstein Gjerdevik

HeggebØ Jørgen Djuve

An automated grid based storage and retrieval system includes a framework structure including upright members and a grid of horizontal rails provided at upper ends of the upright members. The framework structure defines at least one storage volume below the horizontal rails. The at least one storage volume is open against the horizontal rails such that storage container vehicles may lower and raise storage containers into and out of the storage volume. The at least one storage volume includes a plurality of storage columns arranged adjacent one another, a plurality of walls surrounding the at least one storage volume; a void extending beneath the storage columns; and a cooler system adapted to draw air from the void, cool the air, and release the cooled air into an air release area arranged below the horizontal rails. The cooler system is arranged within an cooler enclosure arranged inside the plurality of walls and adjacent the plurality of storage columns. The cooler enclosure includes at least one opening from the void for the cooler system to draw air from the void, and a conduit for releasing the cooled air in the air release area.

System and method of temperature control in an automated grid based storage and retrieval system

A method and computer program product controls the transferring of a storage container for storing items by transferring the storage container via access station at an interaction area among a plurality of interaction areas of an automated storage and retrieval system. The storage container is linked to a user and items stored. The method performed by the computer program product includes specific modules performing different steps of the method. The modules include a user identification module processing user identification data and giving access to the system, a registration module registering items to be stored in an inventory database, a search module for searching for stored items in the inventory database, a presentation module presenting search results and items stored, and an execution module generating instructions that via a communication module is instructing a system controller of the automated storage and retrieval system to retrieve or store a specific storage container.

Method and computer program for controlling storage and retrieval of personal storage containers in an automated storage and retrieval system

An automated storage and retrieval system includes a rail system for guiding a plurality of container handling vehicles. The rail system includes a first set of parallel rails arranged in a horizontal plane and extending in a first direction, and a second set of parallel rails arranged in the horizontal plane and extending in a second direction, which is orthogonal to the first direction. The first and second sets of rails form a grid pattern in the horizontal plane including a plurality of adjacent grid cells. Each grid cell includes a grid opening defined by a pair of neighboring rails of the first set of rails and a pair of neighboring rails of the second set of rails. The automated storage and retrieval system includes a storage volume beneath the rail system. The storage volume includes storage columns for storing storage containers and the container handling vehicles are operable to retrieve a storage container from a stack of storage containers within the storage volume. A method of providing an operator access to a target storage position in the automated storage and retrieval system includes operating a master control system to allocate and instruct at least one container handling vehicle to remove storage containers along a first path between a position at a side edge or a top surface of the storage volume and the target storage position such that an operator can access the target storage position through the first path when the at least one container handling vehicle has removed the storage containers along the first path.

Method, and associated system, of providing an operator access to a target storage position in an automated storage and retrieval system

An automated storage and retrieval system includes a rail system, a master control system, and a plurality of remotely operated vehicles. The rail system includes a first and second set of parallel tracks arranged orthogonally in a horizontal plane. The master control system is configured to keep track of any remotely operated vehicle operating on the rail system. The plurality of remotely operated vehicles handling storage containers, which operate on the rail system, each include first and second sets of wheels for transport on the rail system, and a fire detection device configured to transmit data from the fire detection device to the master control system. The master control system includes a processing device for processing the data from the fire detection devices so as to create a heat map of the automated storage and retrieval system.

Automated storage and retrieval system with fire detection device and methods of locating and/or verifying fire or smoke in an automated storage and retrieval system

A storage facility includes a storage space enclosing a storage and retrieval system, a transit space, and a first separation wall. The storage and retrieval system includes a storage grid configured to store a plurality of storage containers in vertical stacks, a first upper vehicle support extending in an upper horizontal plane above the storage grid, and a container handling vehicle configured to transport at least one of the plurality of storage containers on a wheel arrangement between at least two locations on the first upper vehicle support. The transit space includes a second upper vehicle support extending in the upper horizontal plane and arranged relative to the first upper vehicle support such that the container handling vehicle may move between the storage space and the transit space. The first separation wall separating the storage space and transit space. The first separation wall includes a first upper opening having a minimum size and vertical position allowing the container handling vehicle to pass through, and a first upper closable gate configured to open and close the first opening.

Gas isolated storage system

An automated storage and retrieval system includes at least one relay module for relaying storage containers between a port column and an access station. The relay module is arranged below a port column. The relay module includes a port station, a first conveyor, a second conveyor, each arranged at a side of the port station, and a lateral displacement device. The port station receives storage containers dropped off from and to be picked up through the port column. The first conveyor is adapted to transport storage containers to an access station. The second conveyor is adapted for transporting storage containers from the access station. The lateral displacement device is arranged to transport storage containers between the port station and the first conveyor, and between the second conveyor and the port station.

Automated storage and retrieval system comprising a relay module and a method of operating such a system

A vehicle, which is for use in an automated storage and retrieval system, includes a transport mechanism and a lifting device. The transport mechanism is for transporting the vehicle along a first guiding system in a first direction and a second guiding system in a second direction. The second direction is orthogonal to the first direction. The lifting device is for lifting storage containers from storage columns arranged below the vehicle. The lifting device includes a lifting frame connectable to a storage container. The vehicle further includes at least one reader for reading at least one label of a storage container such as to identify the storage container. The at least one reader is arranged on the lifting frame of the vehicle.

Automated storage and retrieval system comprising container identification means and methods of identifying a container or a vehicle

An automated storage and retrieval system includes a plurality of stacks of storage containers arranged in storage columns, and a container handling vehicle. The container handling vehicle includes a transport mechanism for transport of the vehicle, and a lifting assembly for picking up storage containers from the storage columns. The lifting assembly includes: a lifting frame connectable to a storage container, a first lifting shaft and a second lifting shaft, the first and second lifting shafts being mainly parallel, and each of the first and second lifting shafts being supported in an upper portion of the vehicle, two lifting elements extending from each of the first and second lifting shafts to the lifting frame, and a motor drive assembly having at least one motor including a first motor, and a force transferring assembly rotatably connecting the first and second lifting shafts via a force transferring element.

Container handling vehicle with direct drive on lifting axle(s), associated methods and system

A stackable module has a functional component. The stackable module has a load-bearing frame including a first support member and a second support member held in a spaced apart and parallel configuration by a cross-member. The cross-member forms a part of the functional component. The load-bearing frame is configured to enable the stackable module to occupy a cuboidal volume within which the functional component is supported, and wherein the load-bearing frame includes upper and lower load-transferring edge surfaces. The functional component may be a growth board for supporting plants in a vertical farming system, the growth board having a drain.

Stackable growth module for supporting plants in a vertical farming system

The present invention relates to an automated storage and retrieval system having: a track system forming a grid pattern comprising a plurality of adjacent grid cells, each comprising an opening below which is a storage column for storing a stack of storage containers; a container handling vehicle for lifting storage containers, the vehicle comprising a lower part having at least one container storage compartment, an upper part above the lower part, rolling means for movement along the track system, and a compartment in the upper part for accommodating/receiving a replaceable power supply; the replaceable power supply which has a charging connection; and a charging station comprising a charging connection for connection with the power supply and a support for releasably supporting the power supply during charging; wherein the vehicle comprises a second battery to allow movement of the vehicle when void of the replaceable power supply.

Automated storage and retrieval system

An autonomous grid storage system () with a foam based fire prevention system. The autonomous grid storage system is in the form of a grid storage structure () dived into sub grids (A,B,C) separated by firebreak or firebreaks (). A foam dispensing system () dispenses a fire-retardant foam into the firebreak or firebreaks in the event of fire.

Automated grid storage and retrieval system with foam-based fire prevention system

A container-handling vehicle for handling storage containers in a three-dimensional grid of an underlying storage system, comprising: at least one lifting device for lifting storage containers from and lowering storage containers to the underlying storage system, said lifting device comprises a lifting frame for gripping a storage container, a winch system for lifting and lowering the lifting frame, a motor to drive the winch system and a driver circuit with a controller controlling the motor; and at least first and second rechargeable power sources for providing power to the motor, wherein the driver circuit further comprises a regenerative energy circuit configured to harvest energy from the motor when the lifting frame is lowered into the storage system and where the driver circuit is configured to direct harvested energy to the rechargeable power sources according to levels of charge in the rechargeable power sources.

System and a method for harvesting energy from a container handling vehicle

An automated storage and retrieval system includes a rail system with perpendicular tracks in X and Y direction. The storage and retrieval system includes a plurality of remotely operated container handling vehicles configured to move laterally on the rail system; and a main control system using a first communication system for communicating with the plurality of remotely operated container handling vehicles. The main control system monitors and controls the movement of the plurality of container handling vehicles via the first communication system. At least one service vehicle is movable on the rail system. The at least one service vehicle is configured to bring a malfunctioning remotely operated container handling vehicle to a service area outside of the rail system where the remotely operated container handling vehicles operate. The system further includes a secondary control system using a second communication system. The second communication system is independent of the main communication system. The secondary control system is communicating with the at least one service vehicle on the rail system such as to monitor and control the movement of the at least one service vehicle.

System, method and main control system for handling malfunctioning vehicles in an automated storage and retrieval system comprising a rail system

A container handling vehicle for picking up storage containers from a three-dimensional grid of an underlying storage system includes: a first set of wheels arranged at opposite portions of a vehicle body of the container handling vehicle, for moving the vehicle along a first direction on a rail system of the grid; and a second set of wheels arranged at opposite portions of the vehicle body, for moving the vehicle along a second direction on the rail system of the grid, the second direction being perpendicular to the first direction. The vehicle body includes walls on all sides forming a footprint defined by horizontal peripheries in the X and Y directions of the vehicle body. The container handling vehicle further includes: a first section and a second section arranged side-by-side such that a centre point of a footprint of the first section is arranged off centre relative a centre point of the footprint of the vehicle body, wherein a size ratio of the footprint Fof the first section relative a footprint of the second section is at least 2:1, the first section is configured to accommodate a storage container, and the second section includes an assembly of motors for driving at least one wheel of each of the sets of wheels.

Container handling vehicle with first and second sections and assembly of motors in second section for driving at least one wheel of each of the sets of wheels

An automated storage and retrieval system includes a plurality of storage container handling vehicles. Each vehicle includes a vehicle body, a thereto connected wheel assembly configured to guide the vehicle along the track system, a container picking device for releasably attaching to a storage container, which include one or more arms. The configuration of the container picking device is such that it is movable between a first lifting position enabling the container picking device to lift at least one storage container from a position beyond a horizontal extent of the vehicle body and a second transport position enabling the container picking device to hold the at least one storage container at least partly within the horizontal extent of the vehicle body and above the vehicle body.

Growing community of inventors

Haugesund, Norway

Ivar Fjeldheim