An automated storage and retrieval system including a storage structure with storage racks having a seating surface configured to support case units where a position of each case unit is non-deterministic for each storage location on the storage racks, each case unit has a predetermined storage position and a controller is configured to determine the predetermined storage position, a picking aisle configured to provide access to the case units within the storage structure, and a seismic disturbance restorative system including seismic disturbance motions sensors disposed on the storage racks, a seismic disturbance control module in communication with the seismic disturbance sensors and configured to identify a seismic disturbance, and an automated case mapper configured to traverse the picking aisle, the automated case mapper being in communication with and initialized by the seismic disturbance control module to identify a seated position of at least one case unit within the storage structure.

An automated storage and retrieval system including a storage structure with storage racks having a seating surface configured to support case units where a position of each case unit non-deterministic for each storage location on the storage racks, each case unit has a predetermined storage position and a controller is configured to determine the predetermined storage position, a picking aisle configured to provide access to the case units within the storage structure, and a seismic disturbance restorative system including seismic disturbance motions sensors disposed on the storage racks, a seismic disturbance control module in communication with the seismic disturbance sensors and configured to identify a seismic disturbance, and an automated case mapper configured to traverse the picking aisle, the automated case mapper being in communication with and initialized by the seismic disturbance control module to identify a seated position of at least one case unit within the storage structure.

An anti-seismic grid framework system including a grid framework structure configured for supporting a load handling device operative to move one or more containers in a stack. The anti-seismic grid framework system includes a seismic isolation system for reducing seismic forces acting on the grid framework structure, wherein the grid framework structure is supported by the seismic isolation system, the seismic isolation system including a superstructure and a substructure, and at least one base isolation device disposed between the superstructure and the substructure such that the at least one base isolation device suppresses movement of the superstructure relative to the substructure in a seismic event.

An automated storage and retrieval system including a storage structure with storage racks having a seating surface configured to support case units where a position of each case unit is non-deterministic for each storage location on the storage racks, each case unit has a predetermined storage position and a controller is configured to determine the predetermined storage position, a picking aisle configured to provide access to the case units within the storage structure, and a seismic disturbance restorative system including seismic disturbance motions sensors disposed on the storage racks, a seismic disturbance control module in communication with the seismic disturbance sensors and configured to identify a seismic disturbance, and an automated case mapper configured to traverse the picking aisle, the automated case mapper being in communication with and initialized by the seismic disturbance control module to identify a seated position of at least one case unit within the storage structure.

A method for detecting seismic events, the method including acquiring acceleration data over a given period of time from one or more accelerometers located on a grid framework structure; comparing the acquired acceleration data to ground acceleration data from one or more accelerometers located on the ground; determining a differential acceleration between the acceleration data and the ground acceleration data; determining displacement data from the differential acceleration; and determining whether a seismic event has taken place over the given period of time based on the displacement data.

An automated storage and retrieval system including a storage structure with storage racks having a seating surface configured to support case units where a position of each case unit is non-deterministic for each storage location on the storage racks, each case unit has a predetermined storage position and a controller is configured to determine the predetermined storage position, a picking aisle configured to provide access to the case units within the storage structure, and a seismic disturbance restorative system including seismic disturbance motions sensors disposed on the storage racks, a seismic disturbance control module in communication with the seismic disturbance sensors and configured to identify a seismic disturbance, and an automated case mapper configured to traverse the picking aisle, the automated case mapper being in communication with and initialized by the seismic disturbance control module to identify a seated position of at least one case unit within the storage structure.

A laboratory sample distribution system comprising a number of sample container carriers moving on a transport plane is presented. The system further comprises an earthquake detection device in order to minimize influences on operation of the system by an earthquake. A laboratory automation system comprising such a laboratory sample distribution system is also presented.

Provided is a transfer system including: a first conveyor, a second conveyor, a vertical position adjustment mechanism configured to adjust relative vertical positions of the first conveyor and the second conveyor; and a horizontal position adjustment mechanism configured to adjust, in a horizontal plane, relative positions of the first conveyor and the second conveyor in a direction orthogonal to a transfer direction.

A grid framework structure for supporting a load handling device operative to move one or more containers in a stack. The grid framework structure includes plural upright columns arranged to form plurality of vertical storage locations for containers to be stacked between upright columns. The columns are interconnected at their top ends by a first set of grid members and a second set of grid members, the second set running transversely to the first set to form a grid structure. A sub-group of upright columns rigidly joined together by at least one bracing assembly of diagonal braces form a braced tower. The sub-group of upright columns includes three upright columns with two of the three upright columns being laterally disposed either side of a middle upright column, and being rigidly connected to the middle upright column by the diagonal braces.

An earthquake restraint grid framework structure includes a grid framework structure for supporting a load handling device operative to move one or more containers in a stack. The grid framework structure includes intersecting grid members arranged to form a grid having plural f substantially rectangular frames in a horizontal plane, each of the substantially rectangular frames constituting a grid cell. The grid is supported by plural upright columns at each of the intersections of grid members to form a plurality of vertical storage locations for containers to be stacked between the upright columns and be guided in a vertical direction through the substantially rectangular frames. An exoskeleton includes plural vertical frame columns braced by at least one bracing member, the grid being further supported by the exoskeleton to form a seismic restraint system (SFRS).