Gas insulation storage system

Abstract

To provide an optimal gas insulation storage system.SOLUTION: The present invention relates to a storage facility comprising a gas insulation storage space that includes an automatic warehouse system and a method for using the storage facility.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to equipment and methods for gas isolation of an automated warehouse system.

Background Art

[0002] FIG. 1A discloses a typical prior art automated warehouse system 1 with a skeletal structure 100.

[0003] The skeletal structure 100 includes a plurality of upright members 102 and, optionally, a plurality of horizontal members 103 that support the upright members 102. The members 102, 103 may typically be made of metal, for example, extruded aluminum profiles.

[0004] The skeletal structure 100 defines a storage grid 104 that includes storage columns 105 in which storage containers 106 (also known as containers) are stacked on top of each other to form a stack 107 and are arranged in rows.

[0005] Each storage container 106 can typically hold a plurality of product items (not shown), and the product items within the storage container 106 may be the same or different product types depending on the application.

[0006] The storage grid 104 prevents horizontal movement of the storage containers 106 within the stack 107 and guides vertical movement of the storage containers 106, but typically does not otherwise support the storage containers 106 when stacked.

[0007] The automated warehouse system 1 includes a rail system 108 that traverses the upper part of the storage grid 104 and is arranged within the grid pattern. On this rail system 108, a plurality of container handling vehicles 200 (as illustrated in FIG. 1C) operate to lift the storage container 106 from the storage column 105, lower the storage container 106 into it, and transport the storage container 106 above the storage column 105. One horizontal range of the grid cells 122 forming the grid pattern is marked by a thick line in FIG. 1A.

[0008] The rail system 108 includes a first set 110 of parallel rails arranged to guide the movement of the container handling vehicle 200 in a first direction X that traverses the upper part of the frame structure 100, and a second set 111 of parallel rails arranged perpendicular to the first set 110 of parallel rails for guiding the movement of the container handling vehicle 200 in a second direction Y that is perpendicular to the first direction X. In this way, the rail system 108 defines grid columns above which the container handling vehicle 200 can move laterally in a plane parallel to the horizontal X-Y plane, i.e., above the storage column 105.

[0009] As shown in FIG. 1B, the rail system 108 may be a single-rail system or a double-rail system. In the latter rail configuration, even when another container handling vehicle 200 is positioned above the grid cell adjacent to its row, the container handling vehicle 200 generally has an occupied area corresponding to the lateral area defined by the grid cell 122 in at least one of the X and Y directions and can travel along the row of grid columns. Both the single-rail system and the double-rail system, or a combination in the single-rail system 108 comprising a single-rail arrangement and a double-rail arrangement, form a grid pattern in the horizontal plane P with a plurality of rectangles each comprising a grid opening 115 delimited by a pair of adjacent rails 110a, 110b of the first set 110 of parallel rails and a pair of adjacent rails 111a, 111b of the second set 111 of parallel rails, and uniform grid locations or grid cells 122.

[0010] As a result, rails 110a and 110b form a pair of rails that define a parallel row of grid cells extending in the X direction, and rails 111a and 111b form a pair of rails that define a parallel row of grid cells extending in the Y direction.

[0011] As shown in FIG. 1B, each grid cell 122 (shown by the box with dashed lines) typically has a width W within an interval of 30 to 150 cm c and a length L within an interval of typically 50 to 200 cm. c Each grid opening 115 typically has a width W c which is 2 to 10 cm less than the width W of the grid cell 122. o Each grid opening 115 typically has a length L c which is 2 to 10 cm less than the length L of the grid cell 122. o

[0012] ​Figure 1C discloses a prior art container handling vehicle 200 that operates the system 1 disclosed in Figure 1A. Each prior art container handling vehicle 200 includes a vehicle body 202 and a wheel arrangement 201 of eight wheels, where a first set of four wheels enables lateral movement of the container handling vehicle 200 in the X direction and a second set of the remaining four wheels enables lateral movement in the Y direction. One or both sets of wheels within the wheel arrangement 201 can be raised and lowered such that the first set of wheels and / or the second set of wheels can engage with an individual set of rails 110, 111 at any point in time.

[0013] Each prior art container handling vehicle 200 also includes a lifting device 203 for the vertical transportation of the storage container 106, for example, the steps of raising the storage container 106 from the storage column 105 and lowering the storage container 106 therein. The lifting device is adapted to engage the storage container 106 such that the position of the gripping / engaging device relative to the vehicle can be adjusted in a third direction Z that is orthogonal to the first direction X and the second direction Y, and may include one or more gripping / engaging devices that can be lowered from the vehicle 200.

[0014] As is conventional and for the purposes of this application, Z = 1 identifies the topmost layer of the grid 104, i.e., the layer directly below the rail system 108, Z = 2 identifies the second layer below the rail system 108, Z = 3 identifies the third layer, and so on. In the exemplary prior art grid 104 disclosed in Figure 1A, Z = 8 identifies the bottommost layer of the grid 104. As a result, using the Cartesian coordinate system X, Y, Z shown in Figure 1A as an example, the storage container identified as 106' in Figure 1A can be said to occupy the grid location or cell X = 10, Y = 2, Z = 3. The container handling vehicle 200 can be said to travel within layer Z = 0, and each grid column can be identified by its X and Y coordinates.

[0015] When each container handling vehicle 200 transports the storage container 106 across the rail system 108, it is provided with a storage compartment or space (not shown) for receiving and accommodating the storage container 106.

[0016] The container handling vehicle 200 may have a cantilever structure as described in Japanese Utility Model Registration No. 317366 (the content of which is also incorporated herein by reference).

[0017] Alternatively, the container handling vehicle may have a footprint, that is, a certain range in the X and Y directions, which is generally equal to the lateral range of the grid cell 122, that is, the range in both the X and Y directions of the grid cell 122, as described in, for example, WO2015 / 193278A1 (the content of which is incorporated herein by reference).

[0018] As used herein, the term "lateral" may mean "horizontal".

[0019] In the X and Y directions, adjacent grid cells are arranged in contact with each other such that there is no space between them.

[0020] In storage grid 104, most of the grid columns are storage columns 105, i.e., grid columns 105 in which storage containers 106 are stored within stack 107. However, although grid 104 is not normally used to store storage containers 106, it has at least one grid column that includes a location where container handling vehicle 200 can load and unload and / or load them so that storage containers 106 can be transported to a second location (not shown) where the storage containers 106 can be accessed from outside grid 104 or transferred out of or into grid 104. In the art, such a location is typically referred to as a "port", and the grid columns where the ports are located can be referred to as "delivery columns" 119, 120. The loading and unloading ports where container handling vehicle 200 delivers and receives containers 106 are respectively referred to as the "upper ports of the delivery columns" 119, 120, while the opposite ends of the delivery columns are referred to as the "lower ports of the delivery columns".

[0021] The storage grid 104 of FIG. 1A includes two delivery columns 119 and 120. The first delivery column 119 may, for example, be provided with a dedicated loading and unloading port through which container handling vehicle 200 can load and unload storage containers 106 to be transported to a further access station or transfer station through delivery column 119, and the second delivery column 120 may be provided with a dedicated loading port through which container handling vehicle 200 can load storage containers 106 being transported from an access station or transfer station through delivery column 120. The ports of the first and second delivery columns 119, 120 may each be provided with ports suitable for both loading and unloading of storage containers 106.

[0022] The second location may typically be a picking station or a buffer station where product items are removed from or positioned within storage container 106. At the picking station or buffer station, storage container 106 is usually never removed from the automated warehouse system 1, but once accessed, is returned into storage grid 104. For the transfer of storage containers to or from outside storage grid 104, delivery columns are provided, as well as lower ports, such lower ports being for example for transferring storage container 106 directly to another storage facility (e.g. another storage grid), to a transport vehicle (e.g. a train or a large truck), or to a production facility.

[0023] The conveyor system may also be arranged to transfer storage containers between different storage grids, as described for example in WO2014 / 075937A1, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0024] When the storage container 106 stored within the storage grid 104 disclosed in FIG. 1A is to be accessed, one of the container handling vehicles 200 is instructed to retrieve the target storage container 106 from its position within the grid 104 and transport it to or through the delivery column 119. This operation involves moving the container handling vehicle 200 to the grid location above the storage column 105 where the target storage container 106 is positioned, retrieving the storage container 106 from the storage column 105 using the lifting device 203 of the container handling vehicle, and transporting the storage container 106 to the delivery column 119. If the target storage container 106 is located deep within the stack 107, i.e., one or more other storage containers are positioned above the target storage container 106, this operation also involves temporarily moving the storage containers positioned above prior to lifting the target storage container 106 from the storage column 105. Sometimes referred to in the art as "digging out", this step may be performed using the same container handling vehicle 200 that is subsequently used to transport the target storage container 106 to the delivery column 119, or using one or more other cooperating container handling vehicles 200. Alternatively, or in addition, the automated storage system 1 may specifically have a container handling vehicle dedicated to the task of temporarily removing the storage container 106 from the storage column 105. Once the target storage container 106 has been removed from the storage column 105, the temporarily removed storage container can be repositioned back into the original storage column 105. However, the removed storage container may alternatively be repositioned to another storage column 105.

[0025] When the storage container 106 is to be stored within the grid 104, one of the container handling vehicles 200 is instructed to load the storage container 106 from the second delivery column 120 and transport it to a grid location above the storage column 105 where it is to be stored. After any storage container positioned at or above the target position within the storage column stack 107 is removed, the container handling vehicle 200 positions the storage container 106 at the desired location. The removed storage container may then be lowered back into the storage column 105 or relocated to another storage column 105.

[0026] To monitor and control the automated storage system 1 such that the desired storage container 106 can be delivered to the desired location at the desired time without the container handling vehicles 200 colliding with each other, the automated storage system 1 typically comprises a computerized control system 109 with a database for monitoring and controlling, for example, the location of individual storage containers 106 within the storage grid 104, the contents of each storage container 106, and the movement of the container handling vehicles 200.

[0027] Storage systems of the type described above are housed within a storage facility, along with other equipment such as ports and charging stations (for charging the container handling vehicles 200). The maintenance area and other areas associated with the operation of the storage system, such as the control room, are often open to the rail system on which the container handling vehicles 200 and the charging stations operate.

[0028] Some recent storage systems, such as the automated storage system developed by the company Autostore AS, are equipped with a movable physical barrier between the rail system and the other area that can be raised and lowered when required.

[0029] However, if a fire starts within the storage system, there is a significant risk that the fire will spread to other parts of the facility, for example, to the area where human operators are working. Movable physical barriers, such as those found in storage systems made by Autostore AS, can slow down the spread of a fire to some extent. However, such means cannot reduce the risk of fire occurrence and / or spread to zero or almost zero.

[0030] Some prior art systems, such as storage systems made by Autostore AS, incorporate means for both detecting and extinguishing a fire through a set of sensors and fire extinguishers.

[0031] The problem associated with the most well-known automated warehouse systems is that they do not have means to prevent a fire from starting and only have means to extinguish an existing fire. Also, it is difficult to avoid any combustible materials within commercial storage facilities.

[0032] For a fire to start, at least three elements are required, namely heat, fuel, and oxygen. Heat is usually in the form of a high surface temperature and / or a spark. Fuel can be any material that is combustible, such as wood. Finally, oxygen is required to keep the combustion going.

[0033] If one of these three elements is missing, the likelihood of a fire igniting is low.

[0034] Even if preventive measures are taken to prevent the surface temperature from becoming too high and / or to prevent the formation of sparks, the risk in the automated warehouse system cannot be reduced to zero because the container handling vehicle operating on the rail system of the storage system described above operates at high power and high acceleration. The latter criterion can generate friction, for example, which can ignite a fire on debris on the rail system. Furthermore, the charging station can generate sparks or high temperatures that can initiate a fire.

[0035] However, it is possible to control or maintain a non-combustible or nearly non-combustible atmosphere inside the storage facility, thereby significantly reducing the risk of fire. The oxygen concentration in the atmosphere at sea level is approximately 21% per volume. This oxygen concentration is high enough to allow a fire to ignite. At a lower oxygen concentration (e.g., below 16%), the risk of ignition is significantly reduced.

[0036] Such a storage facility in which the oxygen concentration is reduced to prevent the start of a fire is described in the article "Wagner Impulse" in the magazine "The Wagner Group Customer magazine" (3 / 2018). A low oxygen concentration is achieved by forcing oxygen-reduced air throughout the storage facility.

[0037] However, exchanging the air throughout the storage facility is both time-consuming and energy-consuming. Furthermore, such a solution interferes with human work inside the storage facility. Humans can work within an area where the volume ratio of oxygen has dropped to approximately 13%. However, at such a low oxygen content, workers need at least a 30-minute break after two hours of work.

[0038] Moreover, the treatise does not present any solution for maintaining such a low oxygen concentration over a long period of time, such as several days. For example, the treatise does not give an indication of a way in which a storage system can be operated without increasing the oxygen concentration and the container can be transported into or out of the storage system. Such an operation would necessitate frequent exposure of the storage system to the atmosphere.

[0039] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an automated storage system that solves or at least mitigates one or more of the aforementioned problems associated with the use of prior art warehouse systems, and a method for operating such a system.

[0040] A particular object of the present invention is to provide a solution that enables the handling of containers within a storage system located within a space having an environment different from the surrounding environment.

[0041] With respect to one or more embodiments of the present invention, another object is to provide a solution that significantly reduces the risk of fire initiation within or on the storage system during operation and does not significantly reduce the operating efficiency as compared to prior art storage systems as described above.

[0042] With respect to one or more embodiments of the present invention, yet another object is to provide a solution that can control the physical characteristics of the environment in which the storage system is arranged.

[0043] With respect to one or more embodiments of the present invention, yet another object is to provide a solution that can extinguish an existing fire within and / or in the vicinity of the storage system.

[0044] With respect to one or more embodiments of the present invention, yet another object of the present invention is to provide a solution that enables the safe long-term storage of biological species and / or fresh food. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEM

[0045] The present invention is described and characterized in the independent claims, while the dependent claims describe other optional / preferred features.

[0046] In a first aspect, the present invention relates to a storage facility for gas-isolating an automated warehouse system.

[0047] In one or more embodiments within the first aspect, the present invention relates to a storage facility for controlling the gas concentration within an automated warehouse system.

[0048] The storage facility comprises a storage grid configured to store a plurality of storage containers in a vertical stack, and a first upper vehicle support, such as a rail system, extending within an upper horizontal plane (P U ) above the storage grid, i.e., within a plane oriented at a right angle to the vertical stack. A storage space is provided that encloses a warehouse system.

[0049] The system further comprises a container handling vehicle configured to vertically displace at least one storage container using a lifting device that is capable of transporting at least one of the plurality of storage containers between at least two locations on the first upper vehicle support using a wheel arrangement and raising and lowering at least one storage container.

[0050] The system further comprises a first lower vehicle support, such as a rail system, extending within a lower horizontal plane (P L ) below the first upper vehicle support, and a container delivery vehicle operating within a lower section of the storage space above the first lower vehicle support. The container delivery vehicle is configured to receive at least one storage container from the container handling vehicle and transport at least one storage container between at least two locations on the first lower vehicle support using a wheel arrangement.

[0051] The system further includes a lower horizontal plane P such that the container delivery vehicle can move between the lower section of the storage space and the lower section of the transition space. L A transition space that extends within the lower horizontal plane P and includes a second lower vehicle support, such as a rail system, arranged relative to the first lower vehicle support, and a first separation wall that separates the storage space and the transition space.

[0052] The first separation wall includes a first lower opening sized and positioned to allow the container delivery vehicle to pass through between the lower section of the storage space and the lower section of the transition space, and a first lower closable gate configured to open and close the first lower opening.

[0053] The enclosures of the storage space and the transition space may include four vertical walls, one base, and one ceiling. However, other confinement configurations can also be envisioned.

[0054] Note that the term "gas isolation" is hereinafter defined as a closed space having a slight gas leak during a typical operating period, for example, for more than 4 hours. The slight leak can be, for example, less than 5% of the leak during a 4-hour operating cycle.

[0055] The system may further include a gas regulation device in fluid communication with the storage space.

[0056] The gas adjustment device may be configured to adjust the gas composition of the gas in the storage space before and / or during operation, such as by decreasing and / or increasing a first gas concentration such as the O2 concentration. Optionally, the pressure may be kept constant by introducing / extracting another gas during or after decreasing / increasing the first-mentioned gas concentration. In the same way, the pressure may be increased or decreased to another predetermined level. For example, the step of decreasing the O2 concentration to 10% may be accompanied by a corresponding step of increasing the N2 concentration in order to maintain a pressure of 1 atmosphere (approximately 101 kPa) in the storage space. Also, situations may exist where oxygen-rich air has been demonstrated to be beneficial, for example, during the storage and / or treatment of certain biological samples / food items.

[0057] As an alternative to or in addition to the gas adjustment device, the system may comprise a fire extinguishing system or device configured to introduce a fire extinguishing substance into the storage space and extinguish a fire therein. At least one of the fire extinguishing substances may be a gas comprising at least one of Argonite IG-55 (an inert gas containing 50% argon and 50% nitrogen), CO2, heptafluoropropane gas (also called HFC-227ea), N2, and pressurized water. The fire extinguishing device may be arranged at any position ensuring that the fire extinguishing substance is dispersed into the storage space. The fire extinguishing device may be arranged, for example, inside the storage space and / or in one or more of the walls at least partially enclosing the storage space and / or outside the storage space. The latter arrangement may be implemented by enabling the fire extinguishing substance to flow from the fire extinguishing device into the storage space through one or more fluid / gas inlets.

[0058] The fire extinguishing device may further comprise means for dispersing the fire extinguishing substance homogeneously or substantially homogeneously within the storage space and / or means for targeting the fire extinguishing substance to a specific location / area within the storage space. By way of example only, the means may comprise a plurality of nozzles directed towards the storage columns of the storage facility and / or any operating space for the container handling vehicle operating on and / or above the storage columns and / or the location of the charging station.

[0059] As an alternative or in addition, the system may comprise cooling equipment configured to cool the storage space to a temperature below the ambient temperature, for example to a temperature of 10 °C or below, more preferably to a temperature of 5 °C or below, for example down to 2 °C. With respect to an exemplary configuration with a fire extinguishing device, the cooling equipment may be arranged at any position ensuring the desired cooling within the storage space. The cooling equipment may be arranged, for example, within the storage space and / or at least partially within one or more of the walls enclosing the storage space and / or outside the storage space. The latter arrangement may be implemented by flowing the cooled fluid from the cooling equipment into the storage space through one or more fluid / gas inlets.

[0060] The cooling equipment may comprise, for example, a refrigeration circuit and / or a concentration unit.

[0061] As described above, the system further comprises a lower horizontal plane P such that the container delivery vehicle can move between the lower section of the storage space and the lower section of the transition space. LIt includes a transition space that extends therein and is provided with a second lower vehicle support portion arranged relative to the first lower vehicle support portion, and a first separation wall that separates the storage space and the transition space. The container delivery vehicle may move between the lower section of the storage space and the lower section of the transition space without any need for external intervention. The arrangement of the second lower vehicle support portion relative to the first lower vehicle support portion may be implemented by aligning the vehicle support portions adjacent to each other, or by adding a connecting portion that bridges the two vehicle support portions, or a combination thereof. The two vehicle support portions may also be integrated with each other, thereby forming one continuous support portion.

[0062] As also presented above, the first separation wall is sized and positioned to allow the container delivery vehicle to pass through between the lower section of the storage space and the lower section of the transition space, and includes a first lower opening and a first lower closable gate configured to open and close the first lower opening. The first lower opening may have a size corresponding to, for example, at least the width of two horizontally positioned container handling vehicles, such as the width of three of them.

[0063] The external boundary that confines the storage space and the transition space is preferably airtight or substantially airtight, except for the closable gate in the open position.

[0064] The first lower closable gate may be configured to be remotely opened and closed by, for example, the same control system used to control the container handling vehicle and / or the operation of the container handling vehicle, by using a remote control system.

[0065] The first lower closable gate may further be configured to create a liquid-tight seal between the storage space and the transition space when the first lower closable gate closes the first lower opening, for example, by using a rubber gasket. Such a rubber gasket may surround the outer periphery of the first upper closable gate and / or the inner periphery of the first upper opening.

[0066] This storage facility may further comprise a loading and unloading space suitable for loading and unloading storage containers from or to the warehouse system within the storage space, and preferably, a second partition wall separating the loading and unloading space and the transition space in a liquid-tight manner. Fluid is defined herein as including substances such as gases and vapors.

[0067] In an exemplary embodiment, the second partition wall is sized and positioned to allow a container delivery vehicle to pass through between the lower section of the transition space and the lower section of the loading and unloading space, and comprises a second lower opening and a second lower closable gate configured to open and close the second lower opening. The second lower opening may have a size corresponding to at least the width of two horizontally positioned container loading and unloading vehicles, for example, the width of three of them. Further, the second lower closable gate is preferably configured to be operated remotely from a remote control system, for example, a control system used to operate the container loading and unloading vehicle and / or the container loading and unloading vehicle.

[0068] The loading and unloading space may comprise a third lower vehicle support, such as a rail system, extending within the lower horizontal plane P L The third lower vehicle support may be arranged relative to the second lower vehicle support in the same manner as for the first and second lower vehicle supports, i.e., such that a container delivery vehicle can move between the second lower vehicle support and the third lower vehicle support through a second lower opening between the lower section of the transition space and the lower section of the loading and unloading space, preferably without any need for external intervention. As described above, this can be achieved by aligning the vehicle supports adjacent to each other, or by adding a connecting part bridging the two vehicle supports, or a combination thereof. The second and third vehicle supports may also be integrated with each other, thereby forming one continuous support.

[0069] The handling space may further comprise a container delivery station configured for receiving storage containers to be transferred by a container delivery vehicle for further handling, or for delivering storage containers to the container delivery vehicle for storage in the warehouse system, or a combination thereof.

[0070] The container delivery station is preferably arranged at a vertical position different from the upper horizontal plane P U e.g., at or near the lower horizontal plane P L or thereabouts.

[0071] The container delivery vehicle may move along a third lower vehicle support from a second lower opening to a location adjacent to the container delivery station.

[0072] This storage facility may include a delivery section below the first upper vehicle support, which is the gap of the stack of storage containers. In this embodiment, the delivery section includes the lower section of the storage space that extends vertically from the first lower vehicle support to a height that is at least the height of the container delivery vehicle having or intended to have storage containers stored thereon.

[0073] The upper vertical position of the lower section of the storage space may preferably be set by one or more horizontal beams extending from the first partition wall to the opposite boundary (far from the wall) of the delivery section. Most preferably, the storage space contains a plurality of horizontal beams arranged along the full width of the wall.

[0074] The first lower vehicle support is a lower rail system arranged within the lower horizontal plane P L and comprising a first set of lower parallel rails extending in a first direction X, and a second set of parallel rails arranged within the lower horizontal plane P L and extending in a second direction Y orthogonal to the first direction X. Thus, the first and second sets of parallel rails are within the lower horizontal plane P L with a length L c and a width Wc forms a grid pattern with a plurality of adjacent grid cells, each having a grid opening defined by a pair of adjacent rails of a first set of lower parallel rails and a pair of adjacent rails of a second set of lower parallel rails. Further, the wheel arrangement of the container delivery vehicle is configured to enable movement in a first direction X and a second direction Y along the lower rail system in this embodiment.

[0075] The upper vehicle support is arranged within the upper horizontal plane P U and includes a first set of upper parallel rails extending in the first direction X and a second set of parallel rails extending in a second direction Y orthogonal to the first direction X, both arranged within the upper horizontal plane P U It may be an upper rail system. The first and second sets of parallel rails thus form a grid pattern with a plurality of adjacent grid cells of length L U and width W c within the upper horizontal plane P c each having a grid opening defined by a pair of adjacent rails of a first set of lower parallel rails and a pair of adjacent rails of a second set of upper parallel rails. The wheel arrangement of the container handling vehicle is configured to enable movement in a first direction X and a second direction Y along the upper rail system in this embodiment.

[0076] The upper vehicle support and the lower vehicle support may have the same or substantially the same configuration.

[0077] The first partition wall may further include a first upper opening sized and positioned to allow the container handling vehicle to pass through, and a first upper closable gate configured to open and close the first upper opening.

[0078] The storage facility further enables the container handling vehicle to move between the storage space and the transition space through the first upper opening, preferably without any need for external intervention, within the upper horizontal plane PU It may include a second upper vehicle support portion, such as a rail system, that extends therein and is arranged relative to the first upper vehicle support portion. Regarding the first and second lower vehicle support portions, and as described above regarding the second and third lower vehicle support portions, the arrangement of the first and second upper vehicle support portions may be implemented by aligning the vehicle support portions with respect to each other, or by adding a connecting portion that bridges the two vehicle support portions, or a combination thereof. The two vehicle support portions may also form one integrated support portion.

[0079] The first upper opening may have a size corresponding to at least the width of two side-by-side positioned container handling vehicles, for example, the width of three of them.

[0080] The second partition wall may be dimensioned and positioned to allow the container handling vehicle to pass from the transition space to the handling space and from the handling space to the transition space, and may include a second upper opening and a second upper closable gate configured to open and close the second upper opening. The opening and closing may preferably be controlled remotely. Further, the closing of the first and second upper openings by the first and second upper closable gates, respectively, is preferably arranged such that, for example, an airtight / gas-tight liquid-tight closure is achieved.

[0081] If a gas adjustment device is present, the gas adjustment device preferably converts a gas or gas mixture having an initial combustible gas concentration C Oi into a converted gas / gas mixture having a final combustible gas concentration C Oi less than the initial combustible gas concentration C Of and may include means for conversion and at least one gas inlet that enables fluid communication between the gas container and the storage space.

[0082] The gas adjustment device is preferably disposed outside the storage space and is configured to at least partially replace the initial gas in the storage space with the conversion gas by introducing the conversion gas from the gas container into the storage space through at least one gas inlet.

[0083] The initial gas, i.e., the gas prior to conversion, may be air at atmospheric pressure (1 atm) containing approximately 78% nitrogen and 21% oxygen. (In this specification, the proportion of gas in a gas mixture is expressed as a percentage per volume.) The combustible gas concentration (C Oi , C Of ) is, in this example, the concentration of oxygen gas (O2). For example, the result of the conversion by the gas adjustment device may be to reduce the oxygen concentration from the initial 21% to a concentration equal to or lower than 16%.

[0084] The conversion may be carried out by means well known in the art. For the reduction of the oxygen concentration in the air inside the air container, see, for example, the article "WagnerImpulse" in the magazine "The Wagner Group Customer magazine" (3 / 2018). That article is incorporated herein by reference.

[0085] The storage facility may further include one or more combustible gas sensors, such as one or more O2 gas sensors, disposed in the transition space for measuring the concentration of the combustible gas. The measurement may be carried out continuously, or at specific time intervals, or in response to a request by the operator, or in combinations thereof. Such combustible gas sensors may also be disposed in the storage space and / or the handling space.

[0086] In this exemplary configuration, the gas adjustment device is configured to at least partially replace the initial gas / gas mixture in the storage space with the conversion gas / gas mixture by introducing the conversion gas / gas mixture from the gas container into the storage space through at least one gas inlet.

[0087] On a second aspect, the invention relates to a method for reducing the risk of fire in or within a warehouse system, arranged inside a storage space of a storage facility, by any of the features described above.

[0088] The method involves converting a gas or gas mixture within a gas container having an initial flammable gas concentration C, such as 21% O2, to a converted gas / gas mixture having a final flammable gas concentration C which is less than 16% O2, such as C. Oi And partially replacing the initial gas / gas mixture within the storage space with the converted gas / gas mixture by inducing the converted gas / gas mixture from the gas container into the storage space through at least one gas inlet. Oi The method may further include loading at least one storage container out of a plurality of storage containers stored within a storage grid using a lifting device, vertically lowering at least one storage container downwards to a container delivery vehicle within a delivery section, opening a first lower closable gate, moving the container delivery vehicle from a lower section of the storage space through a first lower opening into a lower section of a transition space, and closing the first lower closable gate. Of The first lower closable gate may be opened by a motor, such as a remotely operated motor, or by a horizontal pressure from a container delivery vehicle intended to pass through it, or a combination thereof.

[0089] Furthermore, the first lower closable gate may be closed by using a motor, or by causing the gate to fall downwards due to gravity, or a combination thereof.

[0090]

[0091]

[0092] ​​The first lower closable gate may comprise a door-like structure, i.e., a wide planar structure having a size corresponding to the first upper opening. Alternatively, the first lower closable gate comprises a plurality of strips suspended from the upper frame of the first lower opening, the strips hanging downward and being aligned at the edges to close the first lower opening, thereby allowing the container delivery vehicle to pass through by separation of the strips during application of pressure, and after complete passage, realignment at the edges of the strips continues to close the first lower opening again.

[0093] If the storage facility further comprises a handling space for handling storage containers transported from or to a warehouse system within the storage space, and a second separating wall separating the handling space and the transition space, the second separating wall being dimensioned and positioned to allow the container delivery vehicle to pass through, and a second lower closable gate configured to open and close the second lower opening, the method may further comprise the steps of opening the second lower closable gate, moving the container delivery vehicle from the lower section of the transition space through the second lower opening into the handling space, and closing the second lower closable gate. The second lower closable gate may be opened and closed in the same manner as the first lower closable gate.

[0094] The method may further adjust the time interval Δt between closing the first lower closable gate and opening the second lower closable gate to ensure that the final combustible gas concentration C in the storage space Of is below a predetermined maximum level C O,MAX , e.g., maintained at 16% O2 gas. The adjustment of the time interval may be controlled by a remote control system, preferably the same control system that operates the container handling vehicle.

[0095] The method may further continuously, or at specific time intervals, or in response to a request by an operator, or in combination thereof, determine the final combustible gas concentration (C in the transition space OfIt may include the step of measuring (). The measurement may be carried out by using a gas sensor as described above. Also, the measurement and setting may also be arranged in the storage space and / or the handling space.

[0096] The method may further continuously adjust the gas in the storage space to further reduce the final combustible gas concentration (C Of ) or maintain the final combustible gas concentration (C Of ) at a constant or nearly constant level. The adjustment of the gas may also be carried out at certain intervals and / or in response to a request by the operator. A certain embodiment of the latter may be when the O2 concentration rises above a certain predetermined level.

[0097] In a third aspect, the present invention relates to a method for extinguishing a fire in or within a warehouse system, which is arranged inside the storage space of a storage facility according to any of the features described above.

[0098] The method includes the step of introducing a fire extinguishing substance into the storage space when a fire is detected / observed. The fire extinguishing substance may be, for example, water or a fire extinguishing fluid such as CO2.

[0099] Regarding the second aspect, the method may further include the steps of loading at least one of the plurality of storage containers stored in the storage grid using a lifting device, vertically lowering at least one storage container to a container delivery vehicle within the delivery section, opening a first lower closable gate, moving the container delivery vehicle from the lower section of the storage space through the first lower opening into the lower section of the transition space, and closing the first lower closable gate, for example, by using a dedicated motor and / or simply closing the gate due to the influence of weight.

[0100] In a fourth aspect, the present invention relates to a method for cooling a storage space of a storage facility to a desired temperature below the ambient temperature by any of the features described above.

[0101] The method includes the step of cooling the storage space to a temperature below a predetermined temperature, for example, a temperature below 10°C. The storage space may be cooled by cooling means which may include, for example, a refrigeration circuit and / or a concentration unit.

[0102] With respect to the second and third aspects, the method further includes the steps of loading at least one storage container of a plurality of storage containers stored in a storage grid using a lifting device, vertically lowering at least one storage container down to a container delivery vehicle within a delivery section, opening a first lower closable gate, moving the container delivery vehicle from a lower section of the storage space through a first lower opening into a lower section of a transition space, and closing the first lower closable gate, for example, by using a dedicated motor and / or simply by closing the gate due to the influence of gravity. This specification also provides, for example, the following items. (Item 1) A storage facility, A storage space (2) enclosing a warehouse system (1), wherein the warehouse system (1) A storage grid (104), wherein the storage grid (104) is configured to store a plurality of storage containers (106) in a vertical stack (107), A first upper vehicle support portion (108), wherein the first upper vehicle support portion (108) extends within an upper horizontal plane (P U ) above the storage grid (104), A container handling vehicle (200), wherein the container handling vehicle (200) Using the wheel arrangement (201), transporting at least one of the plurality of storage containers (106) between at least two locations on the first upper vehicle support portion (108), Using the lifting device (203), vertically displacing at least one storage container (106), A container handling vehicle (200) configured to perform the above, A first lower vehicle support portion (308), wherein the first lower vehicle support portion (308) extends within a lower horizontal plane (P L ) below the first upper vehicle support portion (108), A container delivery vehicle (300), wherein the container delivery vehicle (300) operates within a lower section (2’) of the storage space (2) above the first lower vehicle support portion (308), and the container delivery vehicle (300) receives the at least one storage container (106) from the container handling vehicle (200) and is configured to transport the at least one storage container (106) between at least two locations on the first lower vehicle support portion (308) using a wheel arrangement (301), A storage space (2) comprising the above, A transition space (3), wherein the transition space (3) A second lower vehicle support portion (308’), wherein the second lower vehicle support portion (308’) extends within the lower horizontal plane (P L ) such that the container delivery vehicle (300) can move between the lower section (2’) of the storage space (2) and the lower section (3’) of the transition space (3), and is arranged relative to the first lower vehicle support portion (308), A transition space (3) comprising the above, A first partition wall (6), wherein the first partition wall (6) separates the storage space (2) and the transition space (3), and the first partition wall (6) A first lower opening (6c), wherein the first lower opening (6c) is sized and positioned to allow the container delivery vehicle (300) to pass through between the lower section (2’) of the storage space (2) and the lower section (3’) of the transition space (3). A first lower closable gate (6d), wherein the first lower closable gate (6d) is configured to open and close the first lower opening (6c). A first partition wall (6) comprising the above. A storage facility comprising the above. (Item 2) The storage facility according to item 1, wherein the first lower closable gate (6d) is configured to be remotely opened and closed by using a remote control system (109). (Item 3) The storage facility according to any one of the above items, wherein the first lower closable gate (6d) is configured to generate a liquid-tight seal between the storage space (2) and the transition space (3) when the first lower closable gate (6d) closes the first lower opening (6c). (Item 4) The storage facility further comprises A handling space (4) for handling storage containers (106) transported from or to the warehouse system (1) within the storage space (2), and A second partition wall (8) separating the handling space (4) and the transition space (3), wherein the second partition wall (8) comprises A second lower opening (8c), wherein the second lower opening (8c) is sized and positioned to allow the container delivery vehicle (300) to pass through between the lower section (3’) of the transition space (3) and the lower section (4’) of the handling space (4), and A second lower closable gate (8d), wherein the second lower closable gate (8d) is configured to open and close the second lower opening (8c). A second partition wall (8) comprising The storage facility according to any one of the preceding items. (Item 5) The storage facility according to item 4, wherein the second lower closable gate (8d) is configured to be remotely opened and closed by using a remote control system (109). (Item 6) The cargo handling space (4) includes a third lower vehicle support portion (308'') extending within the lower horizontal plane (P L ) and the third lower vehicle support portion (308'') is arranged relative to the second lower vehicle support portion (308') such that the container delivery vehicle (300) can move between the second lower vehicle support portion (308') and the third lower vehicle support portion (308'') through the second lower opening (8c) between the lower section (3') of the transition space (3) and the lower section (4') of the cargo handling space (4). The storage facility according to item 4 or 5. (Item 7) The cargo handling space (4) includes a container delivery station (150), and the container delivery station (150) receives a storage container (106) transferred by the container delivery vehicle (300) for further cargo handling, or delivers the storage container (106) to the container delivery vehicle (300) for storing the storage container (106) in the warehouse system (1), or combinations thereof The storage facility according to any one of items 4-6, configured to perform the above. (Item 8) The storage facility according to item 7, when dependent on item 6, wherein the container delivery vehicle (300) is movable along the third lower vehicle support portion (308'') from the second lower opening (8c) to a location adjacent to the container delivery station (150). (Item 9) The storage facility includes a delivery section (121) below the first upper vehicle support portion (108) which is a gap in the stack (107) of storage containers (106). The delivery section (121) comprises a lower section (2’) of the storage space (2) that extends vertically from the first lower vehicle support portion (308) to at least the height of the container delivery vehicle (300) having the storage container (106) stored therein. The storage facility according to any one of the preceding items. (Item 10) The storage facility according to any one of the preceding items, wherein a horizontal beam (123) is arranged at an upper vertical position of the lower section (2’) of the storage space (2). (Item 11) The first lower vehicle support portion (308) is a lower rail system. The lower rail system is arranged within the lower horizontal plane (P L ) and includes a first set (310) of lower parallel rails extending in a first direction (X), and a second set (311) of parallel rails arranged within the lower horizontal plane (P L ) and extending in a second direction (Y) orthogonal to the first direction (X). The first and second sets (310, 311) of parallel rails form a grid pattern with a plurality of adjacent grid cells (322) of length L L and width W c , each having a grid opening (315) defined by a pair of adjacent rails of the first set (310) of lower parallel rails and a pair of adjacent rails of the second set (311) of lower parallel rails. c The wheel arrangement (301) of the container delivery vehicle (300) is configured to enable movement in the first direction (X) and the second direction (Y) along the lower rail system (308). The storage facility according to any one of the preceding items. The storage facility according to any one of the preceding items. (Item 12) The upper vehicle support portion (108) is an upper rail system. The upper rail system is arranged within the upper horizontal plane (P UA first set (110) of upper parallel rails arranged within and extending in a first direction (X), and the upper horizontal plane (P U A second set (111) of parallel rails arranged within and extending in a second direction (Y) orthogonal to the first direction (X), and the first and second sets (110, 111) of parallel rails are in the upper horizontal plane (P U Within, a length L c And a width W c Form a grid pattern with a plurality of adjacent grid cells (122), each having a grid opening (115) defined by a pair of adjacent rails of the first set (310) of lower parallel rails and a pair of adjacent rails of the second set (111) of upper parallel rails, The wheel arrangement (201) of the container handling vehicle (200) is configured to enable movement in the first direction (X) and the second direction (Y) along the upper rail system (108). The storage facility according to any one of the preceding items. (Item 13) The first partition wall (6) further includes A first upper opening (6a), the first upper opening (6a) being sized and positioned to allow the container handling vehicle (200) to pass through, a first upper opening (6a), A first upper closable gate (6b), the first upper closable gate (6b) being configured to open and close the first upper opening (6a), a first upper closable gate (6b) And comprising The storage facility further includes a second upper vehicle support (108'), the second upper vehicle support (108') being such that the container handling vehicle (200) can move between the storage space (2) and the transition space (3) through the first upper opening (6a), in the upper horizontal plane (P U ) Extending within and arranged relative to the first upper vehicle support (108), the storage facility according to any one of the preceding items. (Item 14) The second partition wall (8) is, a second upper opening (8a), the second upper opening (8a) being dimensioned and positioned such that the container handling vehicle (200) can pass from the transition space (3) to the handling space (4) and from the handling space (4) to the transition space (3), a second upper closable gate (8b), the second upper closable gate (8b) being configured to open and close the second upper opening (8a), and the storage facility according to item 13, provided that it is dependent on at least item 6. (Item 15) The storage facility according to any one of the preceding items, comprising a fire extinguishing device (10, 10a-c) configured to introduce a fire extinguishing substance into the storage space (2) and extinguish a fire therein. (Item 16) The storage facility according to any one of the preceding items, comprising a cooling facility configured to lower the temperature in the storage space (2) to a temperature below the temperature outside the storage space (2) before and / or during operation. (Item 17) The storage facility according to item 16, wherein the cooling facility is at least partially arranged within the storage space (2). (Item 18) The storage facility according to any one of the preceding items, further comprising a combustible gas sensor (11) arranged in the transition space (3) for measuring the concentration of combustible gas. (Item 19) The storage facility according to any one of the preceding items, comprising a gas adjustment device (10, 10a-c) arranged in fluid communication with the storage space (2), the gas adjustment device (10, 10a-c) being configured to adjust the gas composition of the gas in the storage space (2) before and / or during operation. (Item 20) The gas adjustment device (10, 10a-c) is, a gas container (10a), wherein the gas container (10a) has a means for converting a gas having an initial flammable gas concentration (C Oi ) into a converted gas having a final flammable gas concentration (C Oi ) that is less than the initial flammable gas concentration (C Of ), and a gas container (10a); at least one gas inlet (10c), wherein the at least one gas inlet (10c) enables fluid communication from the gas container (10a) to the storage space (2), and at least one gas inlet (10c); comprising The gas adjustment device (10, 10a-c) is configured to replace the initial gas in the storage space (2) with the converted gas by inducing the converted gas from the gas container (10a) into the storage space (2) at least partially through the at least one gas inlet (10c). The storage facility according to item 19. (Item 21) A method for reducing the risk of fire in or within a warehouse system (1) arranged in the storage space (2) of the storage facility according to item 20, the method comprising: converting the gas in the gas container (10a) having an initial flammable gas concentration (C Oi ) into a converted gas having a final flammable gas concentration (C Oi ) that is less than the initial flammable gas concentration (C Of ); and inducing the converted gas from the gas container (10a) into the storage space (2) through the at least one gas inlet (10c) to at least partially replace the initial gas in the storage space (2) with the converted gas; and a method. (Item 22) The method further comprises Using the lifting device (203), loading at least one storage container (106) out of the plurality of storage containers stored in the storage grid (104); Lowering the at least one storage container (106) vertically downward to the container delivery vehicle (300); Opening the first lower closable gate (6d); Moving the container delivery vehicle (300) from the lower section (2’) of the storage space (2) through the first lower opening (6c) into the lower section (3’) of the transition space (3); Closing the first lower closable gate (6d); The method according to item 21, comprising: (Item 23) The storage facility further includes a handling space (4) for handling storage containers (106) transported from or to the warehouse system (1) in the storage space (2), and a second partition wall (8) separating the handling space (4) and the transition space (3). The second partition wall (8) includes: A second lower opening (8c) sized and positioned to allow the container delivery vehicle (300) to pass through; A second lower closable gate (8d) configured to open and close the second lower opening (8c). The method further includes: Opening the second lower closable gate (8d); Moving the container delivery vehicle (300) from the lower section (3’) of the transition space (3) through the second lower opening (8c) into the handling space (4); Closing the second lower closable gate (8d); The method according to item 22, comprising: (Item 24) The method further includes: Adjusting the time interval (Δt) between the closing of the first lower closable gate (6d) and the opening of the second lower closable gate (8d), such that the final combustible gas concentration (C Of ) within the storage space (2) is kept below a predetermined maximum level (C O,MAX ) The method according to item 23, comprising this step. (Item 25) The method further comprises Measuring the final combustible gas concentration (C Of ) within the transition space (3) The method according to any one of items 21 - 24, comprising this step. (Item 26) The method further comprises Adjusting the gas within the storage space (2) To further reduce the final combustible gas concentration (C Of ), or To keep the final combustible gas concentration (C Of ) constant or substantially constant The method according to any one of items 21 - 25, comprising this step.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0103] The following drawings are attached to facilitate understanding of the present invention. The drawings show the prior art and embodiments of the present invention, which will be described here only as examples.

[0104]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

[0105] (Detailed Description of the Present Invention) In the following, embodiments of the present invention will be discussed in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, it should be understood that the drawings are not intended to limit the present invention to the subject matter depicted in the drawings. Furthermore, even if some of the features are described in relation to the system only, it is obvious that they are equally effective with respect to the related methods, and vice versa.

[0106] Referring to FIG. 1, the storage grid 104 of the automated warehouse system 1, which forms part of the skeletal structure 100, contains a total of 1,144 grid cells, and the width and length of the storage grid 104 correspond to the width and length of 143 grid columns. The uppermost layer of the skeletal structure 100 above the storage grid 104 is an upper transport rail system 108 on which a plurality of container handling vehicles 200 are operated.

[0107] The skeletal structure 100 of the automated warehouse system 1 of the present invention (hereinafter abbreviated as the storage system 1) is constructed by the prior art skeletal structure 100 described above, that is, a plurality of upright members 102 and one or more horizontal members 103 supported by the upright members 102.

[0108] The upper transport rail system 108 comprises parallel rails 110, 111 oriented in the X and Y directions respectively, and is arranged to traverse the upper part of the storage column 105 containing the stack 107 of storage containers 106 (hereinafter abbreviated as container 106). The horizontal area of a single grid cell 122, i.e., along the X and Y directions, may be defined by the distance between adjacent rails 110 and 111 respectively. In FIG. 1, such grid cells 122 are marked on the upper transport rail system 108 with thick lines.

[0109] As shown in FIG. 2, each grid cell 122 is described using a grid cell width W c and a grid cell length L c and thereby a grid opening 115 of width W o and length L o can be generated. Each grid location is associated with a grid cell 122.

[0110] The upper transport rail system 108 enables a container handling vehicle 200 adapted for movement on the rails to move horizontally between different grid locations in an accurate and stable manner.

[0111] In FIG. 1, a storage grid 104 with a storage column 105 is shown with a height of eight cells. However, it should be understood that the storage grid 104 can in principle be of any size. In particular, it should be understood that the storage grid 104 can be significantly wider and / or longer than that disclosed in FIG. 1. For example, the storage grid 104 may have a horizontal extent exceeding 700×700 grid cells 122. Also, the grid 104 can be significantly deeper than that disclosed in FIG. 1. For example, the storage grid 104 may be deeper than ten grid cells 122.

[0112] The storage container vehicle 200 may be any type known in the art, for example, any one of the automated container handling vehicles disclosed in WO2014 / 090684 A1, NO317366, or WO2015 / 193278A1.

[0113] FIG. 1 shows a container handling vehicle 200 of the type disclosed in WO2015 / 193278A1, while FIG. 3 shows a container handling vehicle 200 of the type disclosed in NO317366, that is, a container handling vehicle 200 comprising a vehicle body 202, a set of wheels 201 attached to the vehicle body 202, and a cantilever beam having a lifting device 203 directly below. The lifting devices 203 are each configured to lift and lower the container 106 from and into the storage column 105.

[0114] FIG. 4 shows a side view of a storage facility according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The positive X, Y, and Z directions are respectively directed into the drawing, from left to right in the drawing, and from top to bottom in the drawing.

[0115] The storage facility is divided into three liquid-tight compartments 2-4 by an external vertical wall arranged on both sides of the storage system 1 in the X and Y directions, a horizontal base 14 and a ceiling 15 in the Z direction, and thus setting the external boundary of the storage facility, and two internal spaced-apart vertical partition walls, hereinafter referred to as a first partition wall 6 and a second partition wall 8, both arranged on one side of the storage system 1 in the Y direction (to the right in FIG. 4). It should be noted that "liquid-tight compartment" in this specification means a liquid-tight state during the period when the gate at the boundary of the compartment is in the closed position. Further, "liquid-tight" means a state without leakage of gaseous substances such as gas and / or vapor, or with only slight leakage.

[0116] The three compartments are defined as follows. - A storage space 2, installed to the left of the first partition wall 6, in which an automated warehouse system 1 of the type shown in FIG. 1 (having a first upper transport rail system 108) is arranged. - A transition space 3 installed between a first partition wall 6 and a second partition wall 8, containing a second upper transport rail system 108' attached to or integrated with the first upper transport rail system 108 in the storage space 2, and - A handling space 4 installed to the right of the second partition wall 8, containing a third upper transport rail system 108'' attached to or integrated with the second upper transport rail system 108', operating in air at atmospheric pressure.

[0117] The first, second, and third upper transport rail systems 108, 108', 108'' are all arranged at the upper level P U and are arranged.

[0118] The first and second partition walls 6, 8, and thus the transition space 3 and the handling space 4 may be arranged to the left of the storage system 1, in addition to or as an alternative.

[0119] As shown in FIG. 4, the handling space 4 contains a container delivery station 150 arranged at or near the base 14 of the storage facility, and a container guiding column 9 extending between the third upper transport rail system 108'' and the delivery station 150. The container guiding column 9 is configured to guide a container 106 inserted into the column 9 by a container handling vehicle 200 to or from the delivery station 150.

[0120] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the container guiding column 9 is further equipped with a lower platform 9a on which the container 106 is installed prior to being moved into the delivery station 150 during transport outside the storage system 1, or prior to being lifted upward to the third upper transport rail system 108'' by the container handling vehicle 200 during transport into the storage system 1.

[0121] The movement of the container 106 between the lower platform 9a and the delivery station 150 may be performed by a human operator 51 or a robotic operator or a conveyor belt or a combination thereof.

[0122] Furthermore, the raising or lowering of the container 106 through the container guiding column 9 may be carried out by a dedicated elevator instead of or in addition to using the lifting device 203 within the container handling vehicle 200.

[0123] In addition to or as an alternative to the container guiding column 9, the transportation of the container 106 vertically to the delivery station 150 from the third upper transportation rail system 108’’ to the delivery station 150 may be carried out by one or more downwardly inclined conveyor belts (not shown).

[0124] The attachment or integration of the first upper transportation rail system 108 and the second upper transportation rail system 108’, and the attachment or integration of the second transportation rail system 108’ and the third upper transportation rail system 108’’ are performed such that the container handling vehicle 200 is enabled to move freely between different rail systems 108, 108’, 108’’.

[0125] Both the first and second partition walls 6, 8 are located directly above two connection points of the upper transport rail systems 108, 108', 108'', that is, between the first and second upper transport rail systems 108, 108' and between the second and third upper transport rail systems 108', 108'', and are provided with at least one upper opening 6a, 8a having a size that allows at least one container handling vehicle 200 to pass through, for example, 10% higher than the total height of the container handling vehicle 200 (including any device mounted on top such as an antenna), the height above the groove of the rail, and a width corresponding to the distance in the X direction that traverses one grid cell 122 or two grid cells 122 or three grid cells 122. The groove is defined herein as an enclosed track of the rail in which the wheels of the vehicle 200 are guided.

[0126] Each upper opening 6a, 8a is equipped with upper closable gates 6b, 8b that can be opened when the container handling vehicle 200 is moving through the upper openings 6a, 8a between different rail systems 108, 108', 108'' and can be closed when the container handling vehicle 200 has completely passed through the individual upper openings 6a, 8.

[0127] The opening and closing of the upper gates 6b, 8b are preferably controlled by a remote control system 109 that also controls the movement of the container handling vehicle 200 and any charging stations (not shown) present on the storage system 1. In this exemplary embodiment, the upper gates 6b, 8b include an electric system (not shown) configured to enable the necessary movement of the upper gates 6b, 8b, for example, a motor driving a swivel joint to cause the pivotal movement of the upper gates 6b, 8b or a motor driving a linear actuator to cause the linear vertical movement of the upper gates 6b, 8b. A winch system configured to raise / lower or pivot the upper gates 6b, 8b is also foreseeable.

[0128] However, it is possible to implement the opening and closing without the use of any motor system. For example, at least one of the upper gates 6b, 8b may be hinged to the individual partition walls 6, 8 at the upper edges of the upper openings 6a, 8a such that the upper gates 6a, 8a pivot into the spaces 2, 3, 4 in which the container handling vehicle 200 is being moved by the pushing force imparted to the vehicle 200 by the vehicle 200. The closing of the upper gates 6b, 8b is thus achieved by gravity and may possibly be assisted by adding a weight onto the upper gates 6b, 8b and / or by providing a mechanical and / or magnetic closing mechanism between the upper gates 6b, 8b and the boundary of the partition walls 6, 8 defining the upper openings 6a, 8a.

[0129] At least to reduce the risk of fire within the storage space 2 in which the storage system 1 is located, the storage facility is equipped with a gas regulating device 10 comprising a gas container 10a located outside the storage space 2, a gas inlet 10c entering into the storage space 2, and a gas pipe 10b in fluid communication between the gas container 10a and the gas inlet 10c. Using this arrangement, gas is enabled to flow between the gas container 10a and the storage space 2.

[0130] The gas container 10a is provided with means for reducing (or increasing) the gas components in a gas mixture such as O2 gas in air. Such means are known in the art and will not be further described herein. See, for example, the treatise "WagnerImpulse" in the magazine "The Wagner Group Customer magazine" (3 / 2018).

[0131] In dry air, the concentration of combustible gas oxygen is approximately 21%. When the oxygen concentration is reduced until it reaches 16% or less, the risk of fire is significantly reduced. In air, a fire can occur, for example, due to a spark from the movement of the container handling vehicle 200, and / or a spark from a charging station (not shown) for charging the battery within the vehicle 200, and / or the combustion of the contents within the container 106, and / or can be caused by sunlight striking the combustible materials within the storage system 1, such as accidental heating, etc.

[0132] The liquid-tight separation between the storage space 2 and the handling space 4 ensures that the container handling vehicle 200 can store, retrieve, receive the container 106 located in an atmosphere with reduced oxygen that has a reduced or minimal fire risk but represents a health risk for humans, and can deliver it to a working space where humans can work safely.

[0133] Also, by arranging a liquid-tight transition space 3 between the storage space 2 and the handling space 4, the amount of fluid leakage from the storage space 2 during the transition of the container handling vehicle 200 between the storage space 2 and the handling space 4 can be minimized. In fact, the separating walls 6, 8 and the intervening transition space 3 act as an airlock (preferably a chamber with two series-connected airtight doors that do not open simultaneously (sealed by the upper gate openings 6b, 8b, the upper openings 6a, 8a)).

[0134] For example, the air initially containing approximately 21% oxygen gas in both the storage space 2 and the transition space 3 may be replaced by an air-like gas mixture having a reduced oxygen gas concentration, such as 16% or less (using the gas adjustment device 10). However, the oxygen concentration in the air within the handling space 4 is not replaced and is maintained at normal atmospheric levels.

[0135] During operation, the oxygen concentration in the transition space 3 increases due to the repeated opening of the second upper closable gate 8b, thereby causing gas exchange between the cargo space 4 and the transition space 3. However, since the first upper closable gate 6b will be closed when the second upper closable gate 8b is opened, there will be little or only a small amount of air in the cargo space 4 that is exchanged with the gas mixture present in the storage space 2. Therefore, the undesirable increase in oxygen concentration during operation will not be as rapid in the storage space 2 as in the transition space 3.

[0136] It is advantageous to monitor the oxygen concentration inside the storage facility, particularly inside the storage space 2. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the storage facility is equipped with an oxygen gas sensor 12 in the storage space 2, an oxygen sensor 11 in the transition space 3, and an oxygen sensor 13 in the cargo space 4. All of these oxygen gas sensors 11 - 13 are shown mounted on the ceiling 15 of the storage facility in FIG. 4. However, the oxygen gas sensors may be mounted at any location within their respective spaces 2 - 4.

[0137] The purpose of the oxygen gas sensor 12 in the storage space 2 is mainly to ensure that the oxygen concentration remains below a predetermined maximum concentration, for example, an oxygen concentration of 16%, while the purpose of the oxygen gas sensor 13 in the cargo space 4 is mainly to ensure that the oxygen concentration remains at a level considered safe for humans. Finally, the purpose of the oxygen gas sensor 11 in the transition space 3 is mainly to monitor the degree of any leakage between the storage space 2 and the transition space 3, and any leakage between the cargo space 4 and the transition space 3.

[0138] The measurements by the gas sensors 11 - 13 may be performed continuously, at certain time intervals, upon request from the operator, or a combination thereof.

[0139] However, the storage facility of the present invention is not limited to reducing the risk of fire.

[0140] Another example of the scope of use for storage facilities that enable control of gas concentration is the storage of fresh food. Prior art tests have shown that fruits such as apples can be stored best for a long time in an atmosphere containing 1% O2 and 1 - 2.5% CO2. The O2 gas may be replaced with N2 gas.

[0141] As described above, the storage facility may alternatively or additionally be equipped with a fire extinguishing device and / or a cooling facility.

[0142] A storage facility having both a cooling facility for cooling the storage space to a temperature below 10°C and a gas adjustment device 10, i.e., 10a - c, can create nearly ideal conditions for the storage of fresh food.

[0143] This fresh food configuration of the storage facility may be complemented by a fire extinguishing device to reduce the risk of fire.

[0144] A different storage system 1 is shown in part of FIG. 5, where the upright member 102 forms part of a skeletal structure 100 on which an upper transport rail system 108 operates with a plurality of container handling vehicles 200 thereon.

[0145] Below the upper transport rail system 108, in the vicinity of the base 14, another skeletal structure is shown that includes a vertical column and a lower delivery rail system 308 and extends downwardly below some of the storage columns 105 of the storage grid 104 at least partially. With respect to the higher skeletal structure 100, a plurality of vehicles 300 may operate on the lower delivery rail system 308. Similar to or the same as the upper transport rail system 108, the lower delivery rail system 308 includes a first set 310 of parallel rails directed in a first direction X and a second set 311 of parallel rails directed in a second direction Y that is perpendicular to the first direction X, thereby creating a lower horizontal plane P L (the upper horizontal plane P UWithin an arrangement that is closer to the base 14 compared to [description of comparison], a grid pattern is formed that includes a plurality of rectangles and uniform grid locations or grid cells 322 (shown by the thicker lines in FIG. 5). Each grid cell 322 of the present lower delivery rail system 308 includes a grid opening 315 that is delimited by a pair of adjacent rails 310a, 310b of the first set 310 of rails and a pair of adjacent rails 311a, 311b of the second set 311 of rails. Directly above the delivery rail system 308 and in the horizontal plane P within the storage space 2 L The volume in the vertical direction Z between the delivery rail system 308 and the storage column 105 within [the relevant space] is hereinafter referred to as the lower storage space 2'. Further, the section of the storage grid 104 between the lower storage space 2' and the upper transport rail system 108 is hereinafter referred to as the delivery section 121 (see FIG. 7).

[0146] A part of the lower delivery rail system 308 that extends below the storage column 105 is in the horizontal plane P L such that its grid cell 322 within [the relevant space] is aligned to coincide with the grid cell 122 of the upper transport rail system 108 within the horizontal plane P U Accordingly, using this particular alignment of the two rail systems 108, 308, a container 106 that has been lowered downward into the storage column 105 within the delivery section 121 by the container handling vehicle 200 (i.e., located above the lower storage space 2') can be placed in or on the storage container support 302 of the delivery vehicle 300 that is moving to a position directly below the said storage column 105.

[0147]

[0148] ​FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of such a container delivery vehicle 300, which includes a wheel assembly 301 similar to the wheel assembly 201 described with respect to the prior art container handling vehicle 200, and a storage container support portion 302 for receiving and supporting the container 106 delivered by the container handling vehicle 200. The storage container support portion 302 may be a tray, a plate, or any other shape (as shown in FIG. 6) that is capable of supporting the container during horizontal movement along the lower rail system 308.

[0149] After receiving the container 106, the container delivery vehicle 300 may be driven along the lower horizontal plane P L in the X and Y directions to another location of the lower delivery rail system 308.

[0150] FIG. 7 shows a storage facility according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0151] Regarding the first embodiment, the storage facility includes a storage space 2, a transition space 3, and a handling space 4. At least a part of the storage system 1 as described above is disposed on the base 14 via a base support portion 16 exemplified by a plurality of upright support rods in FIG. 7.

[0152] A plurality of container handling vehicles 200 are operable on an upper transport rail system 108 extending within the upper horizontal plane P U However, unlike the storage facility of the first embodiment, the container handling vehicle 200 can operate only within the storage space 2. Instead, when a command from the remote control system 109 commands the storage system 1 to retrieve a specific container 106 from the storage grid 104, (after raising and lowering the container 106 from the individual stack 107 as described above) the container handling vehicle 200 transports the container 106 to the storage column 105 above the delivery section 121, and then lowers the container 106 to the container delivery vehicle 300 waiting below.

[0153]

[0154] ​ After receiving the container 106 in or on the storage container support part 302, the container delivery vehicle 300 passes through the first lower opening 6b of the first partition wall 6 (by using the wheel arrangement 301) and moves onto the second lower delivery rail system 308' in the lower transition space 3' of the transition space 3.

[0155] Similar to, or in the same way as, that described for the first and second transport rail systems 108, 108' of the first embodiment, the second lower delivery rail system 308' is configured relative to the first lower delivery rail system 308 such that the container delivery vehicle 300 can move freely between the two lower delivery rail systems 308, 308'.

[0156] In further similarity with the upper transport rail systems 108, 108' of the first embodiment, the first lower closable gate 6d is mounted relative to the first lower opening 6c such that a liquid-tight closure between the storage space 2 and the transition space 3 is achieved when the gate 6d is in the closed position.

[0157] In the exemplary configuration of FIG. 7, the vertical end 123 of the storage grid 104 is shown arranged at the boundary between the delivery section 121 and the lower storage space 2' in which the container handling vehicle 300 operates. The vertical end may be one or more horizontal plates or a plurality of horizontal beams 123 that cross the depth of the storage space 2 in the X direction and extend at least along the Y direction to the first partition wall 6.

[0158] In FIG. 7, the vertical end 123 further extends in the Y direction across the transition space 3 to the second partition wall 8. The lower transition space 3' can thus be defined as the depth of the transition space 3 or the storage system 1 in the X direction, the distance between the first and second partition walls 6, 8 in the Y direction, and the distance between the second delivery rail system 308' and the vertical end 123 in the Z direction.

[0159] After the container delivery vehicle 300 passes through the first lower opening 6c, the first lower closable gate closes the first lower opening 6c, while the container delivery vehicle 300 continues to the second partition 8, creating a liquid-tight separation between the transition space 3 and the handling space 4 containing the container delivery station 150. Similar to the first partition 6, the second partition 8 contains a second lower opening 8c mounted directly above the second lower delivery rail system 308', and a second lower closable gate 8d mounted on the opening 8c to enable a liquid-tight / air-tight closure across the second partition 8.

[0160] Regarding the first and second lower delivery rail systems 308, 308', the handling space 4 contains a third lower delivery rail system 308'' arranged with respect to the second lower delivery rail system 308' such that the container delivery vehicle 300 can move freely between the transition space 3 and the handling space 4 through the second lower opening 8c.

[0161] The third lower delivery rail system 308'' extends at least to the container delivery station 150 in the Y direction, thereby enabling the container delivery vehicle 300 to transport the container 106 from the second lower opening 8c to the container delivery station 150 for further handling by a human and / or robot operator 151.

[0162] Regarding the first embodiment, it is considered advantageous to arrange one or more oxygen gas sensors 11 - 13 at certain locations within each of the spaces 2 - 4, for example, to monitor the oxygen concentration at the ceiling 15 of the storage facility. The measurements may be made continuously, at certain time intervals, upon request from an operator, or a combination thereof.

[0163] FIG. 8 shows a storage facility according to a third embodiment of the present invention, combining the solutions of the first and second embodiments, showing that both the container handling vehicle 200 and the container delivery vehicle 300 can transport the container 106 between the storage space 2 and the handling space 4 for further handling.

[0164] In the third embodiment, the lower delivery rail systems 308, 308', 308'' and the upper transport systems 108, 108', 108'' are set in respective spaces within the storage facility that are separated by the partition walls 6, 8. The rail systems 108, 108', 108'', 308, 308', 308'' are interconnected at the lower edges of the respective openings 6a, 8a, 6c, 8c in a manner similar to or equivalent to those related to the first and second embodiments. Further, each of the openings 6a, 8a, 6c, 8c is equipped with closable gates 6b, 8b, 6d, 8d that are arranged in a manner similar to or equivalent to those related to the first and second embodiments.

[0165] In FIG. 8, the vertical terminal 123 further extends in the Y direction into the handling space 4 up to or near the container delivery station 150. The lower handling space 4' can thus be defined as the depth of the handling space 4 in the X direction, the distance between the second partition wall 8 and the container delivery station 150 in the Y direction, and the distance between the third delivery rail system 308'' and the vertical terminal 123 in the Z direction. In this particular configuration, the vertical terminal 123 includes a lower platform 9a that is installed within the container guiding column 9 adjacent to the container delivery station 150.

[0166] In the foregoing description, various aspects of the storage facility according to the present invention have been described with reference to illustrative embodiments. For purposes of explanation, specific numerical values, systems, and configurations have been described to provide a thorough understanding of the system and its operation. However, this description is not intended to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications and variations of the illustrative embodiments, and other embodiments of the system, that are obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art to which the disclosed subject matter pertains are considered to be within the scope of the present invention.

[0167]

Table 1-1

Table 1-2

Table 1-3

Claims

1. A storage facility for isolating gas in a warehouse system, said facility comprising: A storage space (2) having an enclosed warehouse system (1), said warehouse system comprising: A storage grid (104) configured to store a plurality of storage containers (106) within a vertical stack (107); A first vehicle support (108, 308) extending in a horizontal plane; and A storage space (2), wherein said first vehicle support is configured to support a container handling vehicle (200, 300); A transition space (3) having a second vehicle support (108', 308'), said second vehicle support (108', 308') extending in said horizontal plane and being arranged relative to said first vehicle support (108, 308) such that said container handling vehicle (200, 300) can move between said storage space (2) and said transition space (3); A first separating wall (6) separating said storage space (2) and said transition space (3), said first separating wall (6) comprising: A first opening (6a, 6c) sized and positioned to allow said container handling vehicle (200, 300) to pass through; A first closable gate (6b, 6d) configured to open and close said first opening (6a, 6c); Wherein said first separating wall (6) comprises: A handling space (4) for handling storage containers (106) transported from or to said warehouse system (1) within said storage space (2); A second separating wall (8) separating said handling space (4) and said transition space (3), said second separating wall (8) comprising: A second opening (8a, 8c) sized and positioned to allow said container handling vehicle (200, 300) to pass through; A second closable gate (8b, 8d) configured to open and close said second opening (8a, 8c); Wherein said second separating wall (8) comprises: A storage facility.

2. Using a wheel arrangement (201) to transport at least one of said plurality of storage containers (106) between at least said storage space and said transition space. Using the lifting device (203), vertically displacing the at least one storage container (106) The storage facility according to claim 1, further comprising a container handling vehicle (200, 300) configured to perform the above.

3. The storage facility according to claim 1, wherein the first closable gate (6b) is configured to be remotely opened and closed by using a remote control system (109).

4. The first closable gates (6b, 6d) are configured to generate a liquid-tight seal between the storage space (2) and the transition space (3) when the first closable gate (6d) closes the first opening (6a, 6c). The storage facility according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The storage facility according to claim 1, wherein the second closable gates (8b, 8d) are configured to be remotely opened and closed by using a remote control system (109).

6. The handling space (4) includes a third vehicle support portion (108'') extending in the horizontal plane. The third vehicle support portion (108'') is such that the container handling vehicle (200, 300) can pass through the second opening (8a) between the transition space (3) and the handling space (4). It is arranged with respect to the second vehicle support portion (108') so as to be movable between the second vehicle support portion (108') and the third vehicle support portion (108''). The storage facility according to claim 1.

7. The handling space (4) includes a container delivery station (150), and the container delivery station (150) Receiving the storage container (106) transferred by the container handling vehicle (200, 300) for further handling, or Delivering the storage container (106) to the container handling vehicle (200, 300) for storing the storage container (106) in the warehouse system (1), or Their combination The storage facility according to claim 1, configured to perform the above.

8. The storage facility according to claim 6, wherein the container handling vehicle (200, 300) is movable along the third vehicle support portion (108'') from the second opening (8b) to a location adjacent to the container delivery station (150). The storage facility according to claim 7, further comprising a container guiding column (9) extending between the transport rail system (108'') and the delivery station (150). The storage facility according to claim 1, wherein the first, second, and third vehicle support portions are upper vehicle support portions extending in an upper horizontal plane above the storage grid.

11. The first, second, and third vehicle support portions are lower vehicle support portions (308, 308', 308'') extending in a lower horizontal plane, an upper vehicle support portion (108) extending in an upper horizontal plane above the storage grid, and a first container handling vehicle (200), the first container handling vehicle (200) being configured to transport at least one of the plurality of storage containers (106) between at least two locations on the upper vehicle support portion (108) using a wheel arrangement (201), and to vertically displace the at least one storage container (106) using a lifting device (203); a first container handling vehicle (200). a second container handling vehicle (300), the second container handling vehicle (300) being configured to operate within a lower section (2') of the storage space (2) above the first vehicle support portion (308), the second container handling vehicle (300) receiving the at least one storage container (106) from the first container handling vehicle (200) and being configured to transport the at least one storage container (106) between at least two locations on the first vehicle support portion (308) using a wheel arrangement (301); a second container handling vehicle (300). The storage facility according to claim 1, further comprising.

12. The storage facility includes a delivery section (121) below the upper vehicle support portion (108) which is a gap in the stack (107) of storage containers (106), the delivery section (121) extending vertically from the first vehicle support portion (308) to at least the height of the second container handling vehicle (300) having the storage container (106) stored therein, the lower section (2') of the storage space (2). The storage facility according to claim 11, comprising.

13. The storage facility according to claim 11, wherein a horizontal beam (123) is arranged at an upper vertical position of the lower section (2') of the storage space (2).

14. The first vehicle support portion (308) is a lower rail system, and the lower rail system is arranged in the lower horizontal plane and includes a first set (310) of lower parallel rails extending in a first direction (X), and a second set (311) of lower parallel rails arranged in the lower horizontal plane and extending in a second direction (Y) orthogonal to the first direction (X). The first and second sets (310, 311) of lower parallel rails form a grid pattern including a plurality of adjacent grid cells (322) having a length L ｃ and a width W ｃ and having grid openings (315) each defined by a pair of adjacent rails of the first set (310) of lower parallel rails and a pair of adjacent rails of the second set (311) of lower parallel rails. The storage facility according to claim 11, wherein the wheel arrangement (301) of the second container handling vehicle (300) is configured to enable movement in the first direction (X) and the second direction (Y) along the lower rail system.

15. A storage facility for a warehouse system, the facility comprising: A storage space (2) comprising an enclosed warehouse system (1), the warehouse system comprising: A storage grid (104) configured to store a plurality of storage containers (106) in a vertical stack (107); A first vehicle support portion (108) extending within an upper horizontal plane (PU) above the storage grid (104); The storage space (2) comprising: A transition space (3); A first partition wall (6) separating the storage space and the transition space, the first partition wall (6) comprising a first opening (6a, 6c) to allow a container handling vehicle (200, 300) to pass through, and a first closable gate (6b, 6d) configured to open and close the first opening; An outer boundary defined by vertical walls, a horizontal base, and a ceiling arranged on both sides of the storage system; Comprising: The outer boundary encloses the storage space and the transition space, and the storage space and the transition space are airtight or substantially airtight when the closable gate is in the closed position.

16. A handling space (4); A second partition wall separating the handling space (4) and the transition space (3), the second partition wall (8) comprising a first opening (8a, 8c) to allow a container handling vehicle (200, 300) to pass through, and a first closable gate (8b, 8d) configured to open and close the first opening (6c); The storage facility according to claim 15, further comprising:

17. The outer vertical wall and the first and second partition walls divide the storage facility into three airtight compartments, and the three airtight compartments define the storage space, the transition space, and the handling space.

18. The storage space is installed on one side of the first partition wall, the transition space is installed between the first partition wall and the second partition wall, and the handling space is installed on the other side of the second partition wall. The storage facility according to claim 17.

19. The storage facility according to claim 15, further comprising a gas adjustment device configured to adjust the gas composition of the gas in the storage composition that is in fluid communication with the storage space.

20. The storage facility according to claim 19, wherein the gas adjustment device is configured to inject and / or extract gas from the storage space.

21. A gas container, the gas container being configured to convert an initial gas composition in the storage space from an initial combustible gas concentration to a final combustible gas concentration, the final gas concentration being less than the initial combustible gas concentration, a gas container, at least one gas inlet The storage facility according to claim 19 or 20, further comprising.

22. The storage facility according to claim 19, wherein the gas adjustment device is disposed outside the storage space, and at least partially replaces the initial gas composition in the storage space with a conversion gas composition by guiding the gas from the gas container into the storage space through the at least one gas inlet.

23. The storage facility according to any one of claims 1 to 22, further comprising one or more combustible gas sensors such as one or more O2 gas sensors for measuring the concentration of combustible gas.

24. A method for accessing a storage container in a storage facility of an automated warehouse system, the method comprising: using a container handling vehicle to retrieve the storage container from the enclosed storage space; opening a first closable gate in a first partition wall, the first partition wall separating a storage space (2) and a transition space (3); moving the container handling vehicle through a first opening from a first rail system (108) in the storage space to a second rail system (108') in the transition space; closing the first closable gate; opening a second closable gate in a second opening in a second partition wall, the second partition wall separating the transition space (3) and the handling space; Moving the container handling vehicle from the second rail system (108') in the transition space to the third rail system (108'') in the handling space; Closing the second closable gate; A method comprising the steps of. **Claim 25**: The method according to claim 24, wherein the first and / or second gate is opened or closed by a motor. **Claim 26**: The method according to claim 24 or 25, further comprising adjusting a time interval between the closing of the first closable gate and the opening of the second closable gate.

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