Autostore Technology As

Trond Austrheim

Ivar Fjeldheim

Ingvar Fagerland

Jørgen Djuve Heggebø

Ingvar Hognaland

Børge Bekken

Øystein Gjerdevik

Borge Bekken

Ragnar Stuhaug

Uwe Gruenbeck

Magne Hatteland

Jorgen Djuve Heggebo

Jon Hermansen

Ole Alexander Mæhle

Geir Korge-Hårajuvet

Synnøve Matre

Karl Hatteland

Kjetil Velde

Synnove Solberg Matre

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 rescue system for retrieving a malfunctioning vehicle from a rail system of an automated storage and retrieval system includes a first rescue vehicle and a second rescue vehicle. The rail system includes a plurality of rails with tracks extending in an X-direction and a plurality of rails with tracks extending in a Y-direction perpendicular to the X-direction, and a plurality of remotely operated vehicles configured to move in the X and Y-directions on the tracks of the rail system. The first rescue vehicle is configured to run on the tracks of the rail system. The first rescue vehicle is provided with a lifting device on one side of the vehicle, which faces for engagement in a first X-direction. The second rescue vehicle is configured to run on the tracks of the rail system. The second rescue vehicle is provided with a lifting device on an opposite side of the vehicle, which faces for engagement in a second X-direction opposite to the first X-direction. The first and second rescue vehicles are configured to work in tandem so that when one of the plurality of remotely operated vehicles malfunctions, the first and second rescue vehicles can position themselves on the rail system on opposite sides of the malfunctioning vehicle to engage their respective lifting devices with the opposite sides of the malfunctioning vehicle. The first and second rescue vehicles operate their lifting devices simultaneously so as to lift the malfunctioning vehicle off the rail system and transport the malfunctioning vehicle.

Rescue system and methods for retrieving a malfunctioning vehicle from a rail 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 an automated storage and retrieval grid and a delivery system. The automated storage and retrieval grid includes a container handling vehicle rail system and a delivery column. The container handling vehicle rail system, which is for guiding a plurality of container handling vehicles, 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, which first and second sets of rails form a grid pattern in the horizontal plane including a plurality of adjacent container handling vehicle grid cells. Each container handling vehicle grid cell includes a container handling vehicle 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 delivery column is adapted for transport of a storage container arranged in a stack of storage containers beneath the container handling vehicle rail system between a container handling vehicle and a delivery port situated at a lower end of the delivery column. The delivery system includes a remotely operated delivery vehicle. The remotely operated delivery vehicle includes a vehicle body, rolling devices connected to the vehicle body, rolling device motors for driving the rolling devices in a horizontal plane, and a power source connected to the rolling device motors. A container carrier is adapted to support the storage container. The delivery vehicle is further adapted to transport the storage container between a delivery port and a second location for handling of the storage container by at least one of a robotic operator and a human operator.

Automated storage and retrieval system and a method of transporting storage containers between an automated storage and retrieval grid and a second location

A storage tower for storing storage containers includes a vertically extending supporting structure having a vertical axis, and m horizontally oriented container supports arranged along the vertical axis of the supporting structure and supported by container supporting frameworks to provide different levels where storage containers can be stored. The container supports are distributed at vertical intervals and m is a positive integer of 2 or more. Each container support is rotationally connected to the support structure and configured to support at least one storage container. Each level of the l container supports that are arranged above the remaining levels of m−l container supports each displays at least one opening having a size being at least a maximum horizontal cross section of the storage containers to be stored, l being a positive integer of 1 to m−1. The l container supports can be rotated about the vertical axis independently such that at least one opening of each level of the l container supports is vertically alignable with at least one opening of the other levels of the l container supports by individual rotation of the container supports.

Automated storage tower with carousel

A remotely operated delivery vehicle transports a storage container between a location directly below an automated storage and retrieval grid configured to store a plurality of stacks of storage containers, and a second location for handling of the storage container by at least one of a robotic operator and a human operator. The remotely operated delivery vehicle may include a rolling devices configured to move the remotely operated delivery vehicle in a horizontal plane along tracks of a delivery rail system. Additionally, rolling device motors are provided for driving the rolling devices. A power source provides propulsion power to the rolling device motors. A container carrier receives the storage container from above and onto or at least partly into the container carrier so that contents of the storage container are accessible by the at least one of the robotic operator and the human operator.

Delivery vehicle, an automated storage and retrieval system and a method of transporting storage containers between an automated storage and retrieval grid and a second location

A container lift for a container storage and retrieval system includes a lifting assembly. The lifting assembly is suspended from one or more lifting elements and is arranged to be raised or lowered in order to raise or lower an accompanying storage container within the storage and retrieval system. The lifting assembly includes a lifting frame part for releasable attachment to a storage container, and a guide shuttle arranged to guide the lifting frame part and any accompanying storage container as the lifting frame part is raised and lowered within the storage and retrieval system. The guide shuttle includes guide elements which are each arranged to interact with a corresponding guide surface of the storage and retrieval system to stabilise and maintain horizontal alignment of the lifting frame part and any accompanying storage container during the raising and lowering of the lifting frame part.

Storage system

An automated storage and retrieval system includes a three-dimensional storage grid for storing storage containers; first and second container handling vehicles operating on the storage grid; and a central communication system for controlling and communicating with the container handling vehicles for handling storage containers in the storage grid. The automated storage and retrieval system includes a barrier separating the three dimensional storage grid into a first section and a second section. The barrier has two states: a first state in which the container handling vehicles are allowed to move between the first section and the second section; and a second state, in which the container handling vehicles are physically prevented from moving between the first section and the second section by means of the barrier.

Automated storage and retrieval system comprising a barrier

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 storage system includes a storage grid structure and multiple remotely operated storage bin handling vehicles. The storage grid structure includes vertical storage column profiles defining multiple storage columns in which storage bins can be stored one on top of another in vertical stacks. Each of the storage column profiles have an upper end and a lower end and the storage column profiles are interconnected at their upper ends by rails forming a horizontal rail grid upon which the bin handling vehicles may move in two perpendicular directions. The storage grid structure features grid supports include multiple base angle brackets. Each base angle bracket includes a vertical flange and a horizontal flange. The vertical flange is connected to a storage column profile. The horizontal flange is connected by bolts to a floor upon which the storage grid is arranged and a web interconnecting the flanges. Each of the flanges has a first end and a second end. The first end is arranged closer than the second end to the lower end of the storage column profile to which the vertical flange is connected. The web has a recess arranged between the first ends of the flanges.

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

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 for moving the vehicle along an X direction on a rail system of the grid; and a second set of wheels for moving the vehicle along a Y direction on the rail system of the grid. The Y direction is perpendicular to the X direction. The container handling vehicle includes a vehicle body having a vehicle body footprint defined by horizontal peripheries in the X and Y directions of the vehicle body. The vehicle body includes a first section and a second section. The first section has a first footprint and the second section has a second footprint. The first and second footprints are defined by horizontal peripheries in the X and Y directions of the first and second sections, respectively. The container handling vehicle includes a lifting device for lifting storage containers from the storage system; and a lifting device motor arranged to drive the lifting device when lifting storage containers from the storage system. The first section and the second section are arranged side-by-side such that a total area of the first and second footprints equals a total area of the vehicle body footprint, and a centre point of the first footprint is arranged off centre relative a centre point of the vehicle body footprint. The first section defines a storage container receiving space which is configured to accommodate a storage container. The first section accommodates the lifting device for lifting a storage container from the storage system. The lifting device motor is accommodated in the second section.

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Etne, Norway

Trond Austrheim