Patent classifications
B65G47/06
METHOD FOR HANDLING MALFUNCTIONING VEHICLES ON A RAIL SYSTEM AND A STORAGE AND RETRIEVAL SYSTEM USING SUCH A METHOD
A method for handling malfunctioning vehicles on a rail system constituting part of a storage and retrieval system includes storing a plurality of stacks of storage containers and a control system. The storage and retrieval system includes a plurality of remotely operated vehicles configured to move laterally on the rail system. The method includes wirelessly monitoring and controlling, via the control system, movements of the plurality of vehicles. The method includes forming the control system by wireless data communication including: registering an anomaly in an operational condition of a vehicle on the rail system; registering the vehicle with the anomalous operational condition as a malfunctioning vehicle; bringing the malfunctioning vehicle to a halt; registering a halt position of the malfunctioning vehicle relative to the rail system; setting up a two-dimensional shutdown zone within the rail system into which the malfunctioning vehicle is halted; and updating movement pattern of the plurality of remotely operated vehicles outside the two-dimensional shutdown zone such that entrance into the two-dimensional shutdown zone is avoided.
METHOD FOR HANDLING MALFUNCTIONING VEHICLES ON A RAIL SYSTEM AND A STORAGE AND RETRIEVAL SYSTEM USING SUCH A METHOD
A method for handling malfunctioning vehicles on a rail system constituting part of a storage and retrieval system includes storing a plurality of stacks of storage containers and a control system. The storage and retrieval system includes a plurality of remotely operated vehicles configured to move laterally on the rail system. The method includes wirelessly monitoring and controlling, via the control system, movements of the plurality of vehicles. The method includes forming the control system by wireless data communication including: registering an anomaly in an operational condition of a vehicle on the rail system; registering the vehicle with the anomalous operational condition as a malfunctioning vehicle; bringing the malfunctioning vehicle to a halt; registering a halt position of the malfunctioning vehicle relative to the rail system; setting up a two-dimensional shutdown zone within the rail system into which the malfunctioning vehicle is halted; and updating movement pattern of the plurality of remotely operated vehicles outside the two-dimensional shutdown zone such that entrance into the two-dimensional shutdown zone is avoided.
DELIVERY SYSTEM WITH AN ACCESS POINT AND A METHOD OF ACCESSING AN ACCESS POINT OF THE DELIVERY SYSTEM
An automated storage and retrieval system includes a storage grid for storage of storage containers and a delivery system for transport of said storage containers between a delivery port of the storage grid and an access point of the delivery system. The access point is adapted for handling of items held in the storage containers by a robotic operator or human operator. The delivery system includes a delivery rail system including at least a first set of parallel rails arranged in a horizontal plane (P1) and extending in a first direction (X), and at least a second set of parallel rails arranged in the horizontal plane (P1) and extending in a second direction (Y) which is orthogonal to the first direction (X), the first and second sets of rails together defining a delivery grid of delivery grid cells, the access point, and a remotely operated delivery vehicle comprising a motorized vehicle body and a container carrier provided above the motorized vehicle body for carrying a storage container of the storage containers. The delivery vehicle is moveable on the delivery grid of the delivery rail system. The delivery grid provides one or more delivery grid cells for the remotely operated delivery vehicle at the access point as well as a plurality of delivery grid cells adjacent the one or more delivery grid cells of the access point, such that there is more than one path to and/or from the access point for the remotely operated delivery vehicle via the plurality of delivery grid cells. The remotely operated delivery vehicle is arranged to transport the storage container from the delivery port of the storage grid across the delivery grid to the access point and return the storage container to the delivery port for storage within the storage grid. The access point is provided in a container accessing station, said station being arranged for separating the robotic or human operator from the delivery rail system and the remotely operated delivery vehicle. The container accessing station comprises a cabinet comprising walls and a top cover supported thereon, wherein the items held in the storage container carried by a remotely operated delivery vehicle at the access point is reachable through an opening in the top cover.
DELIVERY SYSTEM WITH AN ACCESS POINT AND A METHOD OF ACCESSING AN ACCESS POINT OF THE DELIVERY SYSTEM
An automated storage and retrieval system includes a storage grid for storage of storage containers and a delivery system for transport of said storage containers between a delivery port of the storage grid and an access point of the delivery system. The access point is adapted for handling of items held in the storage containers by a robotic operator or human operator. The delivery system includes a delivery rail system including at least a first set of parallel rails arranged in a horizontal plane (P1) and extending in a first direction (X), and at least a second set of parallel rails arranged in the horizontal plane (P1) and extending in a second direction (Y) which is orthogonal to the first direction (X), the first and second sets of rails together defining a delivery grid of delivery grid cells, the access point, and a remotely operated delivery vehicle comprising a motorized vehicle body and a container carrier provided above the motorized vehicle body for carrying a storage container of the storage containers. The delivery vehicle is moveable on the delivery grid of the delivery rail system. The delivery grid provides one or more delivery grid cells for the remotely operated delivery vehicle at the access point as well as a plurality of delivery grid cells adjacent the one or more delivery grid cells of the access point, such that there is more than one path to and/or from the access point for the remotely operated delivery vehicle via the plurality of delivery grid cells. The remotely operated delivery vehicle is arranged to transport the storage container from the delivery port of the storage grid across the delivery grid to the access point and return the storage container to the delivery port for storage within the storage grid. The access point is provided in a container accessing station, said station being arranged for separating the robotic or human operator from the delivery rail system and the remotely operated delivery vehicle. The container accessing station comprises a cabinet comprising walls and a top cover supported thereon, wherein the items held in the storage container carried by a remotely operated delivery vehicle at the access point is reachable through an opening in the top cover.
FLEXIBLE PASSENGER SECURITY CONTROL INSTALLATION
A passenger security control installation (10) includes a set of transfer trays and a conveying and control path (14) having a receiving end (16) and a security end (18). The installation includes a return conveying path extending beneath the tray conveying and control path (14). The installation includes a plurality of juxtaposed and mechanically independent modules (22), and each one of the modules (22) includes a U-shaped cradle part (24) that defines a cradle median plane and further includes an upper gang of motorized rollers (36) installed above a lower gang of motorized rollers (40) inside the U-shaped cradle (24), along a direction substantially perpendicular to the cradle median plane.
FLEXIBLE PASSENGER SECURITY CONTROL INSTALLATION
A passenger security control installation (10) includes a set of transfer trays and a conveying and control path (14) having a receiving end (16) and a security end (18). The installation includes a return conveying path extending beneath the tray conveying and control path (14). The installation includes a plurality of juxtaposed and mechanically independent modules (22), and each one of the modules (22) includes a U-shaped cradle part (24) that defines a cradle median plane and further includes an upper gang of motorized rollers (36) installed above a lower gang of motorized rollers (40) inside the U-shaped cradle (24), along a direction substantially perpendicular to the cradle median plane.
Method and system for extracting articles
A magazine extraction system includes a carrier, an extractor, and a catch element. The carrier is disposed below the magazine. The extractor is configured to move an article out of the magazine and along the carrier. The catch element is configured to move the article away from the magazine and along a platform. The extractor is configured to move at a first velocity, which is less than a velocity of the catch element. The extractor is also configured to move at a second velocity, which is greater than the first velocity.
Method and system for extracting articles
A magazine extraction system includes a carrier, an extractor, and a catch element. The carrier is disposed below the magazine. The extractor is configured to move an article out of the magazine and along the carrier. The catch element is configured to move the article away from the magazine and along a platform. The extractor is configured to move at a first velocity, which is less than a velocity of the catch element. The extractor is also configured to move at a second velocity, which is greater than the first velocity.
Storage grid with container accessing station with locking device to lock remotely operated vehicle
An automated storage and retrieval system includes a grid-based rail structure and a plurality of remotely operated delivery vehicles arranged to operate on the grid-based rail structure. The automated storage and retrieval system includes a locking device arranged in a zone of the grid-based rail structure where a human and/or a robotic operator is permitted to interact with the remotely operated vehicle or contents of a storage container that the remotely operated vehicle is carrying. The locking device is arranged to latch to a motorized vehicle body of the remotely operated delivery vehicle, and to lock the remotely operated delivery vehicle against accidental displacement prior to interaction with the human and/or robotic operator. The locking device is arranged to unlock the remotely operated delivery vehicle once interaction with the human and/or robotic operator is no longer required.
Storage grid with container accessing station with locking device to lock remotely operated vehicle
An automated storage and retrieval system includes a grid-based rail structure and a plurality of remotely operated delivery vehicles arranged to operate on the grid-based rail structure. The automated storage and retrieval system includes a locking device arranged in a zone of the grid-based rail structure where a human and/or a robotic operator is permitted to interact with the remotely operated vehicle or contents of a storage container that the remotely operated vehicle is carrying. The locking device is arranged to latch to a motorized vehicle body of the remotely operated delivery vehicle, and to lock the remotely operated delivery vehicle against accidental displacement prior to interaction with the human and/or robotic operator. The locking device is arranged to unlock the remotely operated delivery vehicle once interaction with the human and/or robotic operator is no longer required.