AutoStore Technology AS

An automated grid based storage and retrieval system includes a framework structure and a plurality of storage containers. The framework structure includes upright members and a grid of horizontal rails provided at upper ends of the upright members. The framework structure defines a storage volume including a plurality of columns arranged in a grid pattern below the horizontal rails between the upright members. The plurality of storage containers are stacked vertically in stacks in the columns to provide a plurality of storage columns. An under-stack void extends beneath the stacks of storage containers. A plurality of inlets lead to the under-stack void between the stacks of storage containers. At least one column, which is empty of storage containers and arranged amongst the storage columns, provides a ventilation column. The ventilation column includes a fan. A plurality of duct walls surrounding the ventilation column define a duct having a first end adjacent the horizontal rails and a second end adjacent the under-stack void. The fan is arranged to circulate gas along sides of the stacks, via the plurality of inlets and the under-stack void, and through the duct.

The invention concerns a storage facility comprising a gas isolated storage space containing an automated storage and retrieval system and a method for using such a storage facility.

A storage container, which is for an automated storage and retrieval system (ASRS), is configured to be stacked in a stack of storage containers where an underlying storage container supports the storage container(s) positioned above. The storage container is adapted to be lifted by grippers on a lifting device such that the storage container can be lifted from above. The storage container includes a base, four sides, and four corner posts. The four sides are each hingedly connected to an edge of the base. The four corner posts are each configured to interconnect a pair of adjacent sides to each other in a horizontal direction when the sides are positioned substantially 90 degrees relative the base and relative each other.

It is described a container transport vehicle ( 501′; 501″; 501′″; 501″″,501 ′″) for operation on a rail system ( 108 ) of an automated storage and retrieval system ( 1 ), the container transport Y vehicle ( 501′,501″,501′″; 501″″; 501 ′″) comprising:—a vehicle body ( 501 a ′; 501 a ″; 501 a ′″; 501 a ″″; 501 a ′″″) defining a vehicle base ( 501 d ), four sides ( 501 e ), and an upper face ( 501 f′ ; 501 f ″) opposite the vehicle base ( 501 d );—a first drive means ( 501 b ) for movement of the container transport vehicle (501′,501″; 501′″,501″″; 501′″″) in a first direction (X);—a second drive means ( 501 c ) for movement of the container transport vehicle ( 501′; 501″,501′″; 501″″;501 ′″″) in a second direction (Y), wherein the second direction (Y) is perpendicular to the first direction (X);—an internal receiving space ( 20 ) within the vehicle body ( 501 a ′; 501 a ″;501 a ′″;501 a ″″; 501 a ′″″);—an elevator assembly ( 10 ) comprising a first support surface ( 11 ) being vertically movable and configured to support a storage container ( 106 );—wherein the vehicle base ( 501 d ) comprises a base opening ( 502 ), and at least one of the sides 501 b ( 501 e ) comprises a side opening ( 503 ), the side opening ( 503 ) allowing passage of a storage container ( 106 ) into the internal receiving space ( 20 ) and the base opening ( 502 ) allowing the elevator assembly ( 10 ) to lower a storage container ( 106 ) at least partly therethrough. It is further described an associated system comprising the container transport vehicle and methods of using the container transport vehicle to transfer storage containers between different locations on a rail system.

An automated storage and retrieval system including a rail system and a storage section located beneath or above the rail system. The storage section includes a plurality of storage towers for storing goods holders and movement in at least one of a first direction and a second direction. Additionally, the storage section includes at least one column void defined by a space between two or more of the plurality of storage towers. The at least one column void includes a footprint corresponding to an area of at least one cell. Further, the at least one column void may be repositioned within the storage section in at least one of the first direction and the second direction into vertical alignment with different access openings at varying locations via movement in at least one of the first direction and the second direction of at least one of the plurality of storage towers.

The invention relates to an assembly ( 5 ) for transferring a plurality of goods holders ( 106 ) from a first ( 1 ) storage and retrieval system to at least one second ( 2 ) storage and retrieval system. The assembly ( 5 ) comprises a receptacle ( 10 ) for holding a plurality of goods holders ( 106 ) in a stack, a guideway ( 15 ) connecting the first ( 1 ) storage and retrieval system and the second ( 2 ) storage and retrieval system and a transporter ( 20 ) in engagement with the guideway ( 15 ), wherein said transporter ( 15 ) is configured to transfer the receptacle ( 10 ) along the guideway ( 15 ) between the first ( 1 ) and the at least one second ( 2 ) automated storage and retrieval system. The invention further relates to a method for transferring in one go a plurality of goods holders ( 106 ).

A container handling module for an access station in a storage system includes a first container holder, a second container holder, a shuttle, and a rail assembly. The first and second container holders are rotatably mounted to the shuttle via a rotary shaft. Each of the first and second container holders is arranged to accommodate a storage container and is rotatable around an axis of rotation between a first angular position and a second angular position. The second angular position is opposite the first angular position relative to a centreline of the rotary shaft. The shuttle is configured for linear movement in a horizontal direction between a first linear position and a second linear position relative to the rail assembly.

The invention relates to a goods holder rotation station ( 2 ) for an automated storage and retrieval system ( 1 ). The station comprises a receptacle ( 4 ) configured with an opening ( 6 ) to receive a goods holder ( 106 ) from above when the receptacle ( 4 ) is in an upright position. The receptacle ( 4 ) is arranged to rotate from the upright position about a horizontal axis so that the received goods holder rotates by one or more goods is tipped from the goods holder ( 106 ) on to a surface below via top side of the goods holder ( 106 ). The receptacle ( 4 ) comprises a locking device arranged to lock the goods holder ( 106 ) in position within the receptacle ( 4 ) during rotation of the receptacle.

A watering system for a vertical farming facility has a stackable growth module having a load-bearing frame to allow the growth module to be arranged in a self-supporting stack of other modules in a vertical farming facility. The growth module supports a vertically arranged growth board for supporting plants grown in the vertical farming facility, where the plants grow in a horizontal direction out from the growth board. The growth board has: a porous growth medium; a watering trough extending along an upper edge of the growth board which is provided with holes for distributing water into the growth medium; a water collection trough extending along a lower edge of the growth board arranged to collect water exiting the growth medium; and a valve provided in the water collection trough arranged to permit water to flow out of the water collection trough when the valve is open and to prevent water from flowing out of the collection trough when the valve is closed.

A system for condition-based maintenance of an automated storage and retrieval system includes a framework structure with a rail system forming a three-dimensional storage grid structure for storing storage containers for storing items. The grid structure forms vertical storage columns each having a horizontal area defined by the size of an access opening between rails of the rail system that are arranged on the framework structure. The rail system provides available routes for container handling vehicles handling and transferring the storage containers to and from the storage columns. At least one container handling vehicle which has a container handling platform with a set of grippers for handling the storage containers. The grid structure includes one or more ports for extracting containers from the storage grid so that the storage containers can be picked and a service station for performing maintenance on the components of the storage and retrieval system. The system further includes a plurality of sensors configured to be attached to components of the storage and retrieval system for providing condition-based information linked to parts and components of the storage and retrieval system, a service regime manager configured to retrieve condition-based information from the plurality of sensors and create a service regime based on the condition-based information linked to parts and components of the storage and retrieval system and send the service regime to a local service station where condition-based maintenance is performed, and a central computer system. The central computer system is configured to: receive the condition-based information from the plurality of sensors and decide what information is to be sent to a global computer system that is part of the system for condition-based maintenance, and further sending only the information that can be of interest to other storage and retrieval systems. The global computer system is configured to receive the condition-based information from the central computer system and determine trends regarding component servicing or changing of components and further the global computer system transfers the information on the trend to the individual central computer system's service regime manager.