A lift system for an automated storage system of the type where storage containers are stacked in storage columns arranged in a grid, and where automated container handling vehicles retrieve and replace containers from a top level of the grid. The lift system has a platform vertically movable adjacent to a face of the grid, arranged for receiving and transporting one or more containers. A dedicated mechanical device is arranged for grabbing, lifting and moving the storage containers from a staging area at the top of the grid and placing containers on the platform and vice versa.

A system (100) for handling and storage of containers (200), system (100) comprising a structure (102) having storage cells (104) therein. Cells (104) are configured to store a container (200). Cells (104) are arranged in a rectangular prismatic array comprising a plurality of arrays (A.sub.1, A.sub.2 . . . A.sub.16). Each array comprises columns (C.sub.1, C.sub.2 . . . C.sub.15) and rows (R.sub.1, R.sub.2 . . . R.sub.18). Arrays (A.sub.1, A.sub.2 . . . A.sub.16) are arranged in pairs on opposite sides of void areas (V.sub.1, V.sub.2 . . . V.sub.8), each of which extends vertically and horizontally through the structure (102). Each cell has a container access opening (106) communicating with its associated void area (V.sub.1, V.sub.2 . . . V.sub.8). Container cranes (108) are provided for each void area (V.sub.1, V.sub.2 . . . V.sub.8). Container engagement assemblies (108c) are releasably engaged with respective opposite longitudinal ends of carrier (108a) of cranes (108). Upon movement into a cell (104), assemblies (108c) engage and are vertically supported by horizontal members (102c) at the top of the cell.

Apparatuses, systems, and methods for providing dynamic control in an automated storage and retrieval system (ASRS) are provided. For example, an example method may include retrieving throughput data associated with an ASRS, wherein the throughput data comprises at least one of an expected throughput rate or an actual throughput rate associated with the ASRS; retrieving at least one throughput range associated with the ASRS, wherein each of the at least one throughput range comprises an upper throughput limit associated with the ASRS and a lower throughput limit associated with the ASRS; and adjusting at least one speed setting of at least one article transport device of the ASRS based at least in part on the throughput data and the at least one throughput range.

An article transport facility includes support columns (2) and support beams (5) that are coupled to the support columns (2) and support rails (7). The support beams (5) each include a beam body (50), attachment members (55) for attachment to the support columns (2), and support members (60) that are fixed to the beam body (50) and are for supporting the rails (7). A support beam (5) and a support column (2) are coupled together by locking portions (59) provided on the attachment members (55) being locked to lock receiving portions (21) formed in the support column 2, and by binding with use of first binding members (B1) inserted through first through holes (66) formed in the support members (60).

The invention concerns an automated storage and retrieval system, a storage container handling vehicle and a method for operating such a system. The system comprises a plurality of vehicles, where each vehicle comprises a vehicle body (30), a thereto connected wheel assembly configured to guide the vehicle along the track system, a container picking device (4) for releasably attaching to a storage container, comprising one or more pivot arms (5) having a first end pivotally connected to the vehicle body at pivot point (PP). The configuration of the container picking device is such that it is movable in a pivoting motion of the pivot arm about the pivot point between a first, lifting position enabling the container picking device to lift at least one storage container from a position outside the horizontal extent of the vehicle body and a second, transport position enabling the container picking device to hold the at least one storage container at least partly inside the horizontal extent of the vehicle body.

An automatic storage and retrieval system includes: a delivery vehicle; a storage container carried by the delivery vehicle; and an unloading station for unloading an item from the storage container while it is being carried by the delivery vehicle. The unloading station includes: an unloading device; and a destination conveyor configured to convey the item to a target destination, wherein the unloading device is configured to move the item through a side opening of the storage container to the destination conveyor.

Goods storage and retrieval systems and materials handling vehicles are provided. The goods storage and retrieval system includes a multilevel warehouse racking system; a materials handling vehicle comprising a mast assembly, a picking attachment, and vehicle-based cart engagement hardware; a mobile storage cart; and a transporter comprising transporter-based engagement hardware. The transporter-based engagement hardware enables the transporter to engage, transport, and disengage the mobile storage cart. The vehicle-based cart engagement hardware is coupled to the mast assembly to (i) engage and disengage the mobile storage cart and (ii) transport the mobile storage cart to multiple levels of the multilevel warehouse racking system. The mast assembly and the picking attachment are configured to access multiple levels of the multilevel warehouse racking system. The picking attachment is configured to transfer totes between the multilevel warehouse racking system and the mobile storage cart.

A storage system including a storage grid including vertical column profiles defining a plurality of grid columns. The grid columns include storage columns, in which storage containers can be stored one on top of another in vertical stacks. The storage grid including at least one rail grid at the upper ends of the column profiles, and a first container handling vehicle and a second container handling vehicle. The first and the second container handling vehicles each include at least one wheel base unit and a first container handling module or a second container handling module. Each wheel base unit having a wheel arrangement for movement of the wheel base unit in two perpendicular directions upon a rail grid of the storage system. The first container handling module is a different type of container handling module to the second container handling module.

A centering station may be used for correcting a position of a load carrier on a channel vehicle. A centering station may comprise a centering channel extending along a longitudinal direction, the centering channel comprising at least one running rail for the channel vehicle running in the longitudinal direction and at least two centering means extending substantially in the longitudinal direction above the at least one running rail. In embodiments, the centering channel may comprise an entrance which allows the channel vehicle to enter the centering channel, wherein a clear span between the centering means decreases in the longitudinal direction of the centering channel. In embodiments, a clear span is measured in the transverse direction, i.e., horizontally and orthogonally to the longitudinal direction, wherein the clear span between the centering means decreases in the vertical direction, i.e., vertically and orthogonally to the longitudinal direction towards the running rail.

An automated storage and retrieval system comprising an automated storage and retrieval grid and a delivery system. The automated storage and retrieval grid includes a container handling vehicle rail system for guiding a plurality of container handling vehicles and a delivery column 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 container handling vehicle rail system 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 system includes a remotely operated delivery vehicle including a container carrier adapted to support the storage container. The delivery vehicle is further adapted to transport the storage container between the delivery port and a second location for handling of the storage container by at least one of a robotic operator and a human operator.