An automated storage and retrieval system, a container transfer apparatus and a method thereof
AssigneeAutostore Technology AS
InventorsTrond Austrheim, Ole Andreas Haddeland
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Abstract
The invention concerns an automated storage and retrieval system comprising a first space, a second space, a dividing wall, a storage volume to store storage containers in vertical stacks and a horizontal rail system arranged above where the storage containers would be stored. The invention also concerns a container transfer housing configured to allow transfer of the storage containers between the first space and the second space and a method using such a container transfer housing.
Claims17
An automated storage and retrieval system comprising:
- a first space and a second space;
- a first storage volume within the first space to store storage containers in vertical stacks;
- a horizontal rail system arranged above where the storage containers are stored or would be stored, wherein the horizontal rail system comprises a first set of rails and a second set of rails oriented perpendicular to the first set of rails, intersections of the first set of rails and the second set of rails form a grid of grid cells defining grid openings;
- a first container handling vehicle configured to lift a storage container through one of the grid openings and to transport the storage container along the horizontal rail system;
- a wall separating the first space from the second space, wherein the wall comprises an opening having a size allowing the storage containers to pass through the wall;
- and
- a container transfer housing configured to provide a passage to allow transfer of the storage containers between the first space and the second space.
A container transfer apparatus for transfer of storage containers between a first space having a first temperature and a second space having a second temperature different from the first temperature, wherein the container transfer apparatus comprises:
- a container transfer housing comprising
- a first door configured to open and close a first access point of the container transfer housing;
- a second door configured to open and close a second access point of the container transfer housing;
- and
- a door mechanism configured to operate the first door and/or the second door such that one door is closed when the other door is opened;
- and
- a skirt mountable below the container transfer housing, wherein the skirt is configured such that thermal conduction across the skirt is reduced.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.