A wireless system network for managing GPS-tracked stationary spraying systems and GPS-tracking mobile spraying systems deployed on a wireless communication network for supporting the defense of property against wildfires. Each GPS-tracking spraying system includes an electronic circuit or device for (i) automatically tracking the spraying of property with environmentally-clean anti-fire (AF) liquid contained in a storage tank, (ii) automatically monitoring the level of environmentally-clean anti-fire liquid in the storage tank, and (iii) generating and transmitting electronic signals to a remote center so that a service can automatically replenish the storage tank of the GPS-tracking spraying system when the level of environmentally-clean anti-fire liquid falls below a predetermined level in the storage tank. This ensures the systems are ready to spray environmentally-clean anti-fire liquid on property before the incidence of wildfire in a proactive manner.

A robotic parking device is described. The device includes a number of stacks of containers as shown in FIG. 3, the stacks being positioned within a frame structure including uprights and a horizontal grid disposed above the stacks, the grid having substantially perpendicular rails on which load handling devices can run. Cars or vehicles are positioned in containers that are moved in to and out of the stacks by the robotic handling devices running on the grid. The cars are put in to the grid at entry points that may be positioned at points under the stacks.

A fire and smoke actuator includes a temperature sensor for sensing an operating temperature of the fire and smoke actuator, a drive motor, an actuator output for coupling to the damper in order to move the damper between the open position and the closed position and a drivetrain that is operably coupled between the drive motor and the actuator output. The drive motor, when activated, is configured to actuate the actuator output, via the drivetrain, to move the damper between the open position and the closed position. A drive circuit is operably coupled to the drive motor and the temperature sensor and is configured to activate the drive motor to move the damper between the open position and the closed position at a non-zero speed that is based, at least in part, on the operating temperature sensed by the temperature sensor.

A system and method for handling shipping containers is described. The container handling system includes a crane, the crane having crane load handling devices. The container handling system includes a conveyance device, the conveyance device including transversal load handling devices. The system provides storage and sortation for storing the containers in a series of stacks disposed beneath a grid, the grid having a series of load handling devices operable thereon. The crane load handling device removes a container from a ship, transports it to transversal load handling device operable on a conveyor. The container is moved on the conveyor to a transfer point where it is collected by a robotic load handling device for transport to the storage and sortation area.

An object handling system is described, the system having two substantially perpendicular sets of rails forming a grid above a workspace, the workspace having a plurality of stacked containers. The system includes a series of robotic load handling devices operating on the grid above the workspace, the load handling devices having a body mounted on wheels. The robotic devices can move around the grid under instruction from a computing device, the robotic devices being moved to a point on the grid above a stack of containers and then, using a lifting device, engage and lift a container from the stack. The container is then moved to a point where the objects in the container can be accessed. Modifications to the workspace and grid are described that allow vehicles and roll cages to be used to move stacks from the workspace to a point outside the workspace or from outside the workspace into the workspace.

An object handling system is described, the system having two substantially perpendicular sets of rails forming a grid above a workspace, the workspace having a plurality of stacked containers. The system includes a series of robotic load handling devices operating on the grid above the workspace, the load handling devices having a body mounted on wheels. The robotic devices can move around the grid under instruction from a computing device, the robotic devices being moved to a point on the grid above a stack of containers and then, using a lifting device, engage and lift a container from the stack. The container is then moved to a point where the objects in the container can be accessed. Modifications to the workspace and grid are described that allow vehicles and roll cages to be used to move stacks from the workspace to a point outside the workspace or from outside the workspace into the workspace.

A ventilation closure system includes a damper, a shape memory alloy actuator, and a heating device. The shape memory alloy actuator is coupled to the damper. The shape memory alloy actuator has a first state in which the damper is positioned to permit airflow in the duct and has a second state in which the damper is positioned to obstruct the airflow in the duct. The shape memory alloy actuator is configured to change from the first state to the second state responsive to the shape memory alloy actuator attaining a first temperature responsive to heat released by an exothermic reaction in a compartment associated with the duct. The heating device is configured to heat the shape memory alloy actuator to maintain the damper in a position that obstructs the airflow in the duct.

A modular building system or storage system can include a number of stacks of container, each stack being positioned within a frame structure having uprights and a horizontal grid disposed above the stacks. The grid can include substantially perpendicular rails on which load handling devices can run. Containers having functions associated with a number of residential or commercial uses are moved in to and out of the stacks by the robotic handling devices running on the grid. The containers disposed in the stacks are selected by function on demand by a user, the building being reconfigurable to take into account required uses.

A storage system is disclosed where goods can be stored in containers and the containers are stored in stacks. Above the stacks runs a grid network of rails (e.g., tracks) on which load handling devices can run. To take containers from the stacks and deposit then at alternative locations in the stacks or deposit then at stations where goods may be picked. The framework may be provided with one or more of the following exemplary services: power, power control, heating, lighting, cooling, sensors, and data logging devices. The provision of these services within the framework rather than across the system as a whole, can allow for flexibility in storage whilst reducing cost and inefficiency.

A battery safety monitoring system includes a central controller, a fault detection sensor, a flame detection apparatus, and a fire extinguishing apparatus. The fault detection sensor is configured to detect a fault in a target battery module and send fault information to the central controller. The central controller is configured to control the flame detection apparatus to perform flame detection on the target battery module based on the fault information. The flame detection apparatus is configured to send, when detecting a fire in the target battery module, fire information to the central controller. The central controller is further configured to control the fire extinguishing apparatus to start a fire extinguishing operation for the target battery module. There is no need to deploy excessive sensors. Instead, the flame detection apparatus is controlled to perform flame monitoring on the target battery module, to implement low-cost and accurate battery safety monitoring.