Gas isolation storage system

Abstract

The present invention relates to a storage facility comprising a gas-isolated storage space containing an automated warehouse system, and a method for using such a storage facility. A particular object of the present invention is to provide a solution that allows for the loading and unloading of containers within a storage system located within a space having an environment different from the surrounding environment. For one or more embodiments of the present invention, another object is to provide a solution that significantly reduces the risk of fire starting within or on the storage system during operation and does not significantly reduce operational efficiency compared to prior art storage systems such as those described above. For one or more embodiments of the present invention, yet another object is to provide a solution that allows for the control of the physical characteristics of the environment in which the storage system is arranged.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for gas isolation of an automated storage system. [Background technology]

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

[0003] The skeleton structure 100 comprises a number of upright members 102 and, optionally, a number 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 having storage columns 105 of storage containers 106 (also known as receptacles) arranged in rows, stacked on top of each other to form stacks 107.

[0005] Each storage container 106 may typically hold multiple product items (not shown), and the product items within the storage containers 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 once stacked.

[0007] The automated storage and warehousing system 1 includes a rail system 108 arranged in a grid pattern across the top of the storage grid 104, on which a plurality of container handling vehicles 200 (as illustrated in FIG. 1C ) operate to raise storage containers 106 from and lower storage containers 106 into the storage columns 105, and to transport storage containers 106 up the storage columns 105. The horizontal extent of one of the grid cells 122 forming the grid pattern is marked by a bold line in FIG. 1A .

[0008] The rail system 108 comprises a first set of parallel rails 110 arranged to guide movement of the container handling vehicles 200 in a first direction X across the top of the frame structure 100, and a second set of parallel rails 111 arranged perpendicular to the first set of parallel rails 110 for guiding movement of the container handling vehicles 200 in a second direction Y that is perpendicular to the first direction X. The rail system 108 thus defines a grid column above which the container handling vehicles 200 may move laterally above the storage columns 105, i.e., in a plane that is parallel to the horizontal XY plane.

[0009] 1B , the rail system 108 may be a single-rail system or a dual-rail system. The latter rail configuration allows a container handling vehicle 200 to travel along a row of grid columns with a footprint generally corresponding to the lateral area defined by a grid cell 122 in at least one of the X and Y directions, even if another container handling vehicle 200 is positioned above a grid cell adjacent to that row. Both single-rail and dual-rail systems, or a combination of single-rail and dual-rail arrangements in the single-rail system 108, form a grid pattern in the horizontal plane P with a plurality of rectangles and uniform grid locations or grid cells 122, each with a grid opening 115 bounded by a pair of neighboring rails 110 a, 110 b of the first set of parallel rails 110 and a pair of neighboring rails 111 a, 111 b of the second set of parallel rails 111.

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

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

[0012] Figure 1C discloses prior art container handling vehicles 200 that operate the system 1 disclosed in Figure 1A. Each prior art container handling vehicle 200 comprises a body 202 and a wheel arrangement 201 of eight wheels, with a first set of four wheels allowing lateral movement of the container handling vehicle 200 in the X direction and a second set of four wheels allowing lateral movement in the Y direction. One or both sets of wheels in wheel arrangement 201 can be raised and lowered so that the first set of wheels and / or the second set of wheels can be engaged with the respective sets of rails 110, 111 at any one time.

[0013] Each prior art container handling vehicle 200 also includes a lifting device 203 for vertical transportation of the storage containers 106, e.g., raising the storage containers 106 from the storage columns 105 and lowering the storage containers 106 therein. The lifting device may include one or more gripping / engaging devices adapted to engage the storage containers 106, and the gripping / engaging devices may be lowered from the vehicle 200 such that the position of the gripping / engaging devices 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.

[0014] Conventionally, and for purposes of this application, Z=1 identifies the top layer of the grid 104, i.e., the layer immediately 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 FIG. 1A, Z=8 identifies the bottom, lowest layer of the grid 104. As a result, using the Cartesian coordinate system X, Y, Z shown in FIG. 1A as an example, a storage container identified as 106′ in FIG. 1A may be said to occupy grid location or cell X=10, Y=2, Z=3. The container handling vehicle 200 may be said to travel in layer Z=0, and each grid column may be identified by its X and Y coordinates.

[0015] Each container handling vehicle 200 includes a storage compartment or space (not shown) for receiving and containing the storage container 106 as it is transported across the rail system 108 .

[0016] The container handling vehicle 200 may have a cantilever construction as described in NO317366, the contents of which are also incorporated herein by reference.

[0017] Alternatively, the container handling vehicle may have a footprint, i.e., an extent in the X and Y directions, that is generally equal to the lateral extent of the grid cell 122, i.e., the extent in both the X and Y directions of the grid cell 122, as described, for example, in WO 2015 / 193278 A1, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

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

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

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

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

[0022] The second location may typically be a picking or stockpiling station where product items are removed from or placed into storage containers 106. At a picking or stockpiling station, storage containers 106 are typically never removed from the automated warehouse system 1, but once accessed, are placed back into the storage grid 104. Lower ports are also provided in the delivery column for transfer of storage containers out of or into the storage grid 104, such lower ports being for example for transferring storage containers 106 to another storage facility (e.g., to another storage grid), directly to a transport vehicle (e.g., a train or lorry), or to a production facility.

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

[0024] 1A is to be accessed, one of the container handling vehicles 200 is commanded to retrieve the target storage container 106 from its position in the grid 104 and transport it to or through the delivery column 119. This operation involves moving the container handling vehicle 200 to a grid location above the storage column 105 where the target storage container 106 is located, using the container handling vehicle's lifting device 203 to retrieve the storage container 106 from the storage column 105, 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 above-positioned storage container prior to raising or lowering the target storage container 106 from the storage column 105. This step, sometimes referred to in the art as "digging," may be performed using the same container handling vehicle 200 or one or more other cooperating container handling vehicles 200 that are subsequently used to transport the target storage container 106 to the delivery column 119. Alternatively, or in addition, the automated warehouse system 1 may have a container handling vehicle that is specifically dedicated to the task of temporarily removing a storage container 106 from a 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 in the original storage column 105. However, the removed storage container may alternatively be relocated to another storage column 105.

[0025] Once a storage container 106 is to be stored in the grid 104, one of the container handling vehicles 200 is commanded to load the storage container 106 from the second delivery column 120 and transport it to the grid location above the storage column 105 where it will be stored. After any storage containers located at or above the target location in the storage column stack 107 are removed, the container handling vehicle 200 positions the storage container 106 in 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 warehouse system 1 so that the desired storage containers 106 can be delivered to the desired locations at the desired times without the container handling vehicles 200 colliding with each other, the automated warehouse system 1 includes a control system 109, which is typically computerized and includes a database, for example, to monitor and control the locations of the individual storage containers 106 within the storage grid 104, the contents of each storage container 106, and the movements of the container handling vehicles 200.

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

[0028] Some modern storage systems, such as the automated warehouse 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 were to begin within a storage system, there is a significant risk that the fire would spread to other parts of the facility, for example, to areas where human workers are working. Movable physical barriers, such as those found in Autostore AS storage systems, may slow the spread of fire to some extent. However, such measures are not capable of reducing the risk of fire outbreak and / or spread to zero or near zero.

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

[0031] A problem associated with most known automated storage systems is that they have no means to prevent fires from starting, only to extinguish existing fires, and it is difficult to avoid any flammable materials within a commercial storage facility.

[0032] For a fire to start, at least three elements must be present: 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 flammable, such as wood. And finally, oxygen is needed to keep the combustion going.

[0033] If one of these three elements is missing, it is unlikely that a fire will ignite.

[0034] Even if precautions are taken to prevent surface temperatures from becoming too high and / or sparks from forming, the risk in automated warehouse systems can never be reduced to zero because the container handling vehicles operating on the rail systems of the storage systems described above operate at high power and high acceleration. The latter criterion can create friction that can ignite a fire on residue on the rail system, for example. Furthermore, charging stations can create sparks or generate high temperatures that can start a fire.

[0035] However, it is possible to control or maintain a non-flammable or nearly non-flammable atmosphere inside a storage facility, thereby significantly reducing the risk of fire. The oxygen concentration in the atmosphere at sea level is approximately 21% by volume. This oxygen concentration is high enough to allow a fire to ignite. At lower oxygen concentrations (e.g., below 16%), the risk of ignition is greatly 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 "WagnerImpulse" in the magazine "The Wagner Group Customer magazine" (3 / 2018): The low oxygen concentration is obtained by forcing oxygen-reduced air through the entire storage facility.

[0037] However, exchanging the air in the entire storage facility is both time-consuming and energy-consuming. Moreover, such a solution interferes with human work inside the storage facility. Humans can work in areas with oxygen levels down to about 13% by volume. However, with such low oxygen content, workers need at least a 30-minute break after two hours of work.

[0038] Furthermore, the article does not offer any solutions for maintaining such low oxygen concentrations for extended periods, such as several days. For example, the article does not provide any indication of how the storage system can be operated and containers transported into or out of the storage system without increasing the oxygen concentration, which would necessitate frequent exposure of the storage system to the atmosphere.

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

[0040] A particular object of the invention is to provide a solution that allows the handling of containers in a storage system that is located in a space that has an environment different from the surrounding environment.

[0041] Another object, with respect to one or more embodiments of the present invention, is to provide a solution that significantly reduces the risk of fire starting in or on a storage system during operation, without significantly reducing operational efficiency compared to prior art storage systems such as those described above.

[0042] Yet another object of one or more embodiments of the present invention is to provide a solution that allows for control of the physical characteristics of the environment in which the storage system is arranged.

[0043] Yet another object of one or more embodiments of the present invention is to provide a solution that can extinguish existing fires in and / or near storage systems.

[0044] It is yet another object of the present invention, in relation to one or more embodiments thereof, to provide a solution that allows for the safe long-term storage of biological species and / or perishable foods. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0045] The present invention is set out 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 storage system.

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

[0048] The storage facility includes a storage grid configured to store a plurality of storage containers in a vertical stack, and an upper horizontal surface (P U ), i.e., in a plane oriented perpendicular to the vertical stack, and a first upper vehicle support, such as a rail system, enclosing a warehouse system.

[0049] The system further includes a container handling vehicle configured to transport 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 to vertically displace the at least one storage container using a lifting device capable of raising and lowering the at least one storage container.

[0050] The system further comprises a lower horizontal surface (P L a first lower vehicle support, such as a rail system, extending within the storage space; 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 the 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 so 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 including a second lower vehicle support, such as a rail system, extending into the storage space and aligned with the first lower vehicle support; and a first separation wall separating the storage space and the transition space.

[0052] The first separation wall includes a first lower opening sized and positioned to allow a container delivery vehicle to pass therethrough 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 storage and transition space enclosures may comprise four vertical walls, a base, and a ceiling, although other containment configurations may be envisioned.

[0054] It should be noted that the term "gas isolation" is hereinafter defined as an enclosed space that has a slight leakage of gas during a typical operating period, e.g., greater than 4 hours. A slight leakage may be, for example, less than 5% leakage during a 4 hour operating cycle.

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

[0056] The gas regulating 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 O2 concentration. If desired, the pressure may be kept constant by adding / extracting another gas during or after decreasing / increasing the first-mentioned gas concentration. In the same manner, the pressure may be increased or decreased to another predetermined level. For example, decreasing the O2 concentration to 10% may be accompanied by a corresponding increase in the N2 concentration to maintain a pressure of 1 atmosphere (approximately 101 kPa) in the storage space. There are also situations in which oxygen-enriched air may prove beneficial, for example, during storage and / or processing of certain biological samples / food items.

[0057] As an alternative to or in addition to the gas regulating device, the system may include a fire extinguishing system or device configured to inject a fire extinguishing substance into the storage space to extinguish a fire therein. At least one of the fire extinguishing substances may be a gas including at least one of Argonite IG-55 (an inert gas containing 50% argon and 50% nitrogen), CO2, heptafluoropropane gas (also known as HFC-227ea), N2, and pressurized water. The fire extinguishing device may be arranged in any location that ensures the fire extinguishing substance is dispersed into the storage space. For example, the fire extinguishing device may be arranged within the storage space, and / or in one or more walls at least partially enclosing the storage space, and / or outside the storage space. The latter arrangement may be implemented by allowing the fire extinguishing substance to flow from the fire extinguishing device into the storage space via one or more fluid / gas inlets.

[0058] The fire extinguishing device may further comprise means for distributing the fire extinguishing substance homogeneously or nearly homogeneously within the storage space and / or means for targeting the fire extinguishing substance to specific locations / areas 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 spaces for container handling vehicles operating above the storage columns and / or the location of charging stations.

[0059] The system may alternatively or additionally comprise a cooling facility configured to cool the storage space to a temperature below ambient temperature, for example to 10°C or below, more preferably to 5°C or below, for example to 2°C. With respect to the exemplary configuration with a fire extinguishing device, the cooling facility may be arranged in any position that ensures the desired cooling within the storage space. The cooling facility may, for example, be arranged 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 cooled fluid from the cooling facility into the storage space via one or more fluid / gas inlets.

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

[0061] As described above, the system further includes a lower horizontal plane P so that the container delivery vehicle can move between the lower section of the storage space and the lower section of the transition space. Land a transition space extending into the storage space and including a second lower vehicle support aligned with the first lower vehicle support, and a first separation wall separating 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 alignment of the second lower vehicle support with the first lower vehicle support may be accomplished by aligning the vehicle supports adjacent to one another, or by adding a bridge or link between the two vehicle supports, or a combination thereof. The two vehicle supports may also be integrated with one another, thereby forming one continuous support.

[0062] As also set forth above, the first separation wall comprises a first lower opening sized and positioned to allow passage of a container delivery vehicle therethrough 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. The first lower opening may, for example, have a size corresponding to at least the width of two side-by-side positioned container handling vehicles, e.g., the width of three.

[0063] The exterior boundaries enclosing the storage and transition spaces are preferably airtight or nearly airtight, except for the closable gate when in the open position.

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

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

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

[0067] The second separation wall, in an exemplary embodiment, comprises a second lower opening sized and positioned to allow passage of a container delivery vehicle between the lower section of the transition space and the lower section of the handling space, 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 side-by-side positioned container handling vehicles, e.g., the width of three. Furthermore, the second lower closable gate is preferably configured to be operated remotely from a remote control system, e.g., a control system used to operate the container handling vehicle and / or the container handling vehicle.

[0068] The cargo handling space is the lower horizontal plane P L The second lower vehicle support may include a third lower vehicle support, such as a rail system extending within the second lower vehicle support. 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., so that a container delivery vehicle may move between the second lower vehicle support and the third lower vehicle support, preferably through a second lower opening between the lower section of the transition space and the lower section of the loading space, without any need for external intervention. As explained above, this may be achieved by aligning the vehicle supports adjacent to one another, or by adding a bridge or link between the two vehicle supports, or a combination thereof. The second and third vehicle supports may also be integrated with one another, thereby forming one continuous support.

[0069] The loading space may further include a container delivery station configured to receive storage containers transported by a container delivery vehicle for further loading or to deliver the storage containers to the container delivery vehicle for storage within the warehouse system, or a combination thereof.

[0070] The container delivery station is preferably located on an upper horizontal plane P U and a different vertical position, e.g., the lower horizontal plane P L or arranged in the vicinity thereof.

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

[0072] The storage facility may include a delivery section below the first upper vehicle support, which is a void space for the stack of storage containers. In this embodiment, the delivery section includes a lower section of storage space extending 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 the storage containers stored thereon.

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

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

[0075] The upper vehicle support part is located on the upper horizontal plane P U a first set of upper parallel rails arranged within the upper horizontal plane P and extending in a first direction X; U and a second set of parallel rails arranged within the first direction X and extending in a second direction Y, perpendicular to the first direction X. The first and second sets of parallel rails are therefore arranged within an upper horizontal plane P U Within, length L c and width W c The upper rail system forms a grid pattern comprising a plurality of adjacent grid cells, each comprising a grid opening defined by an adjacent pair of rails of a first set of lower parallel rails and an adjacent pair of rails of a second set of upper parallel rails. The wheel arrangement of the container handling vehicle is configured, in this example, to permit movement in a first direction X and a second direction Y along the upper rail system.

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

[0077] The first separation wall may further comprise a first upper opening sized and positioned to allow a 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 comprises an upper horizontal plane P such that a container handling vehicle can move between the storage space and the transition space through the first upper opening, preferably without any need for external intervention.U The vehicle may also include a second upper vehicle support, such as a rail system, extending within the first upper vehicle support and aligned with the first upper vehicle support. As described above with respect to the first and second lower vehicle supports and with respect to the second and third lower vehicle supports, the alignment of the first and second upper vehicle supports may be implemented by aligning the vehicle supports with respect to one another, or by adding a bridge or link between the two vehicle supports, or a combination thereof. The two vehicle supports may also form a single integrated support.

[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.

[0080] The second separating wall may comprise a second upper opening sized and positioned to allow passage of container handling vehicles from the transition space to the loading space and from the loading space to the transition space, and a second upper closable gate configured to open and close the second upper opening. The opening and closing may preferably be remotely controlled. Furthermore, the closure of the first and second upper openings by the first and second upper closable gates, respectively, is preferably arranged such that a liquid-tight, e.g., air-tight / gas-tight, closure is achieved.

[0081] If a gas regulating device is present, the gas regulating device advantageously regulates the initial combustible gas concentration C Oi A gas or gas mixture having an initial flammable gas concentration C Oi Final combustible gas concentration C is less than Of and at least one gas inlet allowing fluid communication between the gas container and the storage space.

[0082] The gas regulating device is preferably disposed outside the storage space and configured to at least partially replace the initial gas in the storage space with the converted gas by directing the converted gas into the storage space from the gas container via at least one gas inlet.

[0083] The initial gas, i.e., prior to conversion, may be air at atmospheric pressure (1 atmosphere), containing approximately 78% nitrogen and 21% oxygen. (Herein, the proportions of gases in a mixture of gases are expressed as percent by volume.) The combustible gas concentration (C Oi , C Of ) is the concentration of oxygen gas (O2) in this example. For example, the result of the conversion by the gas regulation device may be to reduce the oxygen concentration from an initial 21% to a concentration equal to or less than 16%.

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

[0085] The storage facility may further include one or more flammable gas sensors, such as one or more O2 gas sensors, disposed within the transition space for measuring the concentration of flammable gas. Measurements may be performed continuously, at specific time intervals, upon request by an operator, or a combination thereof. Such flammable gas sensors may also be disposed within the storage space and / or the loading space.

[0086] In this exemplary configuration, the gas regulating device is configured to at least partially replace an initial gas / gas mixture in the storage space with the converted gas / gas mixture by directing the converted gas / gas mixture from the gas container into the storage space via at least one gas inlet.

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

[0088] This method uses an initial flammable gas concentration of C, such as 21% O2. Oi A gas or gas mixture in a gas container having an initial flammable gas concentration C, such as O2, of less than 16% Oi Final combustible gas concentration C Of and at least partially replacing the initial gas / gas mixture in the storage space with the converted gas / gas mixture by directing the converted gas / gas mixture into the storage space from the gas container via at least one gas inlet.

[0089] The method may further include using a lifting device to load at least one storage container of a plurality of storage containers stored within the storage grid; lowering the at least one storage container vertically downward to a container delivery vehicle in 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.

[0090] The first lower closeable gate may be opened by a motor, such as a remotely operated motor, or by horizontal pressure from a container delivery vehicle intended to pass through, or a combination thereof.

[0091] Additionally, the first lower closable gate may be closed by use of a motor, or by allowing the gate to drop downward due to gravity, or a combination thereof.

[0092] The first lower closeable gate may comprise a door-like structure, i.e., a broad, planar structure having a size corresponding to the first upper opening. Alternatively, the first lower closeable gate comprises a plurality of strips suspended from an upper frame of the first lower opening, the strips hanging downwardly and aligned edge-to-edge to close the first lower opening, thereby allowing a container delivery vehicle to pass by strip separation during application of pressure, followed by realignment of the strips edge-to-edge after complete passage to re-close the first lower opening.

[0093] If the storage facility further includes a loading space for loading storage containers to be transported from or to the warehouse system within the storage space, and a second separation wall separating the loading space and the transition space, the second separation wall including a second lower opening sized and positioned to allow a 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 include 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 loading 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 further comprises adjusting a time interval Δt between the closing of the first lower closeable gate and the opening of the second lower closeable gate to adjust a final flammable gas concentration C in the storage space. Of However, the maximum level C O,MAX 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 further comprises measuring the final flammable gas concentration (C ) in the transition space either continuously, at specific time intervals, or upon request by an operator, or a combination thereof. Of) The measurement may be performed by use of a gas sensor as described above. The measurement and setting may also be arranged within the storage space and / or the loading space.

[0096] The method further comprises continuously adjusting the gas in the storage space to a final flammable gas concentration (C Of ) or the final flammable gas concentration (C Of ) constant or nearly constant. Gas adjustments may also be made at intervals and / or upon request by the operator. One example 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 on a warehouse system arranged inside a storage space of a storage facility according to any of the features described above.

[0098] The method includes the step of injecting a fire extinguishing substance into the storage space upon detection / observation of a fire, which may be, for example, water or a fire extinguishing fluid such as CO2.

[0099] With respect to the second aspect, the method may further include the steps of loading at least one storage container of a plurality of storage containers stored within the storage grid using a lifting device; lowering the at least one storage container vertically downward to a container delivery vehicle in 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 use of a dedicated motor and / or simply by causing the gate to close 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 ambient temperature according to any of the features described above.

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

[0102] With respect to the second and third aspects, the method may further include the steps of loading at least one storage container of a plurality of storage containers stored within the storage grid using a lifting device; lowering the at least one storage container vertically downward to a container delivery vehicle in 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 use of a dedicated motor and / or simply by causing the gate to close due to the influence of gravity. The present specification also provides, for example, the following items: (Item 1) A storage facility comprising: A storage space (2) enclosing a warehouse system (1), said warehouse system (1) comprising: a storage grid (104) configured to store a plurality of storage containers (106) in a vertical stack (107); a first upper vehicle support (108), the first upper vehicle support (108) being located on an upper horizontal plane (P U a first upper vehicle support portion (108) extending within the A container handling vehicle (200), comprising: transporting at least one of the plurality of storage containers (106) between at least two locations on the first upper vehicle support (108) using a wheel arrangement (201); vertically displacing at least one storage container (106) using a lifting device (203); A container handling vehicle (200) configured to perform the following: a first lower vehicle support (308), the first lower vehicle support (308) being located on a lower horizontal plane (P L a first lower vehicle support portion (308) extending within the a container delivery vehicle (300) configured to operate within a lower section (2') of the storage space (2) above the first lower vehicle support (308), the container delivery vehicle (300) configured to receive the at least one storage container (106) from the container handling vehicle (200) and transport the at least one storage container (106) between at least two locations on the first lower vehicle support (308) using a wheel arrangement (301); a storage space (2) comprising: A transition space (3), the transition space (3) being: a second lower vehicle support (308'), the second lower vehicle support (308') being configured to support the lower horizontal surface (P) so 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);L a second lower vehicle support (308') extending within the first lower vehicle support (308) and aligned with the first lower vehicle support (308); a transition space (3) comprising: a first separation wall (6), which separates the storage space (2) and the transition space (3), and which comprises: a first lower opening (6c) sized and positioned to allow the container delivery vehicle (300) to pass 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), the first lower closable gate (6d) being configured to open and close the first lower opening (6c); a first separation wall (6) comprising: Storage facilities equipped with: (Item 2) 2. The storage facility according to item 1, wherein the first lower closable gate (6d) is configured to be opened and closed remotely by use of a remote control system (109). (Item 3) The storage facility according to any one of the preceding items, wherein the first lower closable gate (6d) is configured to create 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 loading space (4) for loading and unloading storage containers (106) to be transported from or to the warehouse system (1) in the storage space (2); A second separation wall (8) separating the cargo handling space (4) and the transition space (3), the second separation wall (8) comprising: a second lower opening (8c) sized and positioned to allow the container delivery vehicle (300) to pass between the lower section (3') of the transition space (3) and the lower section (4') of the loading space (4); a second lower closable gate (8d), said second lower closable gate (8d) configured to open and close said second lower opening (8c); a second separation wall (8) comprising: The storage facility according to any one of the preceding items, comprising: (Item 5) 5. The storage facility according to item 4, wherein the second lower closable gate (8d) is configured to be opened and closed remotely by use of a remote control system (109). (Item 6) The cargo handling space (4) is formed on the lower horizontal surface (P L 6. The storage facility according to item 4 or 5, further comprising a third lower vehicle support (308'') extending within the second lower opening (8c) of the transition space (3) and the lower section (4') of the loading space (4), the third lower vehicle support (308'') being arranged relative to the second lower opening (8c) such that the container delivery vehicle (300) can move between the second lower vehicle support (308') and the third lower vehicle support (308'') through the second lower opening (8c) between the lower section (3') of the transition space (3) and the lower section (4') of the loading space (4). (Item 7) The cargo handling space (4) is provided with a container delivery station (150), the container delivery station (150) receiving a storage container (106) transported by said container delivery vehicle (300) for further handling; or delivering the storage container (106) to the container delivery vehicle (300) for storage within the warehouse system (1); or combinations of these 7. The storage facility according to any one of items 4 to 6, configured to perform the following: (Item 8) Item 8. The storage facility of item 7, when dependent on item 6, wherein the container delivery vehicle (300) is movable along the third lower vehicle support (308'') from the second lower opening (8c) to a location adjacent to the container delivery station (150). (Item 9) The storage facility according to any one of the preceding items, wherein the storage facility includes a delivery section (121) below the first upper vehicle support (108), which is a gap in the stack (107) of storage containers (106), and the delivery section (121) comprises a lower section (2') of the storage space (2) extending vertically from the first lower vehicle support (308) to a height that is at least the height of the container delivery vehicle (300) having the storage containers (106) stored therein. (Item 10) 2. A storage facility according to any one of the preceding items, wherein a horizontal beam (123) is arranged in an upper vertical position in the lower section (2') of the storage space (2). (Item 11) The first lower vehicle support (308) is a lower rail system, and the lower rail system is connected to the lower horizontal surface (P L a first set of lower parallel rails (310) arranged in a first direction (X) and extending in a first direction (X); L and a second set of parallel rails (311) arranged within said lower horizontal plane (P) and extending in a second direction (Y) perpendicular to said first direction (X), said first and second sets of parallel rails (310, 311) being spaced apart from said lower horizontal plane (P L ) with length L c and width W c forming a grid pattern comprising a plurality of adjacent grid cells (322) each comprising a grid opening (315) defined by a pair of adjacent rails of said first set of lower parallel rails (310) and a pair of adjacent rails of said second set of lower parallel rails (311); a wheel arrangement (301) of the container delivery vehicle (300) configured to enable movement in the first direction (X) and the second direction (Y) along the lower rail system (308); A storage facility according to any one of the preceding items. (Item 12) The upper vehicle support (108) is an upper rail system, and the upper rail system is connected to the upper horizontal surface (P U a first set of upper parallel rails (110) arranged in a first direction (X) and extending in a first direction (X); U and a second set (111) of parallel rails arranged in said upper horizontal plane (P) and extending in a second direction (Y) perpendicular to said first direction (X), said first and second sets (110, 111) of parallel rails being spaced apart from said upper horizontal plane (P U ) with length L c and width W c forming a grid pattern comprising a plurality of adjacent grid cells (122) each having a grid opening (115) defined by a pair of adjacent rails of said first set of lower parallel rails (310) and a pair of adjacent rails of said second set of upper parallel rails (111); a wheel arrangement (201) of the container handling vehicle (200) configured to allow movement in the first direction (X) and the second direction (Y) along the upper rail system (108); A storage facility according to any one of the preceding items. (Item 13) The first separation wall (6) further comprises: a first upper opening (6a), said first upper opening (6a) being sized and positioned to allow said container handling vehicle (200) to pass through; a first upper closable gate (6b), the first upper closable gate (6b) being configured to open and close the first upper opening (6a); Equipped with The storage facility further includes a second upper vehicle support (108'), and the second upper vehicle support (108') is configured to support the upper horizontal surface (P) so that the container handling vehicle (200) can move between the storage space (2) and the transition space (3) through the first upper opening (6a). U ) and aligned with the first upper vehicle support (108). (Item 14) The second separation wall (8) is a second upper opening (8a) sized and positioned to allow the container handling vehicle (200) to 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), said second upper closable gate (8b) configured to open and close said second upper opening (8a); 13. A storage facility according to claim 13, at least when subordinate to claim 6, comprising: (Item 15) 10. The storage facility according to any one of the preceding items, wherein the storage facility comprises a fire extinguishing device (10, 10a-c) configured to inject a fire extinguishing substance into the storage space (2) to extinguish a fire therein. (Item 16) 2. The storage facility according to claim 1, wherein the storage facility comprises a cooling facility configured to reduce the temperature within the storage space (2) before and / or during operation to a temperature that is lower than the temperature outside the storage space (2). (Item 17) 17. Storage facility according to item 16, wherein the cooling facility is arranged at least partially within the storage space (2). (Item 18) The storage facility according to any one of the preceding items, further comprising a flammable gas sensor (11) disposed in the transition space (3) for measuring the concentration of the flammable gas. (Item 19) 10. The storage facility according to claim 1, further comprising a gas regulating device (10, 10a-c) arranged in fluid communication with the storage space (2), the gas regulating device (10, 10a-c) being configured to regulate the gas composition of the gas in the storage space (2) before and / or during operation. (Item 20) The gas regulating device (10, 10a-c) comprises: A gas container (10a), the gas container (10a) having an initial flammable gas concentration (C Oi ) is added to the gas having the initial flammable gas concentration (C Oi Final combustible gas concentration (C Of a gas container (10a) having means for converting the gas into a conversion gas having at least one gas inlet (10c), said at least one gas inlet (10c) allowing fluid communication from said gas container (10a) to said storage space (2); Equipped with 20. The storage facility according to claim 19, wherein the gas regulating device (10, 10a-c) is configured to replace the initial gas in the storage space (2) with the conversion gas by directing the conversion gas from the gas container (10a) into the storage space (2) at least partially via the at least one gas inlet (10c). (Item 21) A method for reducing the risk of fire in or within a storage system (1) arranged in a storage space (2) of a storage facility according to item 20, said method comprising: Initial combustible gas concentration (C Oi The gas in the gas container (10a) having the initial flammable gas concentration (C Oi Final combustible gas concentration (C Of a converted gas having a at least partially replacing the initial gas in the storage space (2) with the conversion gas by directing the conversion gas from the gas container (10a) into the storage space (2) via the at least one gas inlet (10c); A method comprising: (Item 22) The method further comprises: loading at least one storage container (106) of the plurality of storage containers stored within the storage grid (104) using the lifting device (203); lowering the at least one storage container (106) vertically downward onto the container delivery vehicle (300); opening said 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); 22. The method according to item 21, comprising: (Item 23) The storage facility further comprises a loading space (4) for loading and unloading storage containers (106) to be transported from or to the warehouse system (1) in the storage space (2), and a second separation wall (8) separating the loading space (4) and the transition space (3), the second separation wall (8) comprising: a second lower opening (8c), said second lower opening (8c) being sized and positioned to allow said container delivery vehicle (300) to pass through; a second lower closable gate (8d), said second lower closable gate (8d) configured to open and close said second lower opening (8c); the method further comprising: opening said 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 loading space (4); closing said second lower closable gate (8d); Item 23. The method according to Item 22, comprising: (Item 24) The method further comprises: The time interval (Δt) between the closing of the first lower closable gate (6d) and the opening of the second lower closable gate (8d) is adjusted to adjust the final flammable gas concentration (C Of ) at a predetermined maximum level (C O,MAX ) Item 24. The method according to Item 23, comprising: (Item 25) The method further comprises: The final combustible gas concentration (C Of ) step 25. The method according to any one of items 21 to 24, comprising: (Item 26) The method further comprises: Regulating the gas in the storage space (2); The final combustible gas concentration (C Of ) further reducing the The final combustible gas concentration (C Of ) constant or nearly constant. 26. The method according to any one of items 21 to 25, comprising: [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0103] The following drawings are attached to facilitate understanding of the present invention: The drawings illustrate prior art and embodiments of the present invention, which will be described herein by way of example only.

[0104] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a prior art automated warehouse system comprising an upper transport rail system on which a plurality of remotely operated container handling vehicles operate, and a storage grid for storing stacks of containers. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a top view of a dual rail grid cell of the storage grid shown in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a prior art container handling vehicle having a cantilever beam underneath to contain storage containers. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a side view of a storage facility according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a portion of a storage grid as in FIG. 1 and a lower delivery rail system with a plurality of remotely operated container handling vehicles operating thereon. [Figure 6]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a container delivery vehicle operable on the lower delivery rail system shown in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a side view of a storage facility according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a side view of a storage facility according to a third embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0105] Detailed Description of the 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 only in relation to the present system, it is clear that they are equally valid with respect to the related method, and vice versa.

[0106] 1, the storage grids 104 of the automated warehouse system 1, which form part of the skeleton structure 100, contain a total of 1,144 grid cells, with the width and length of the storage grids 104 corresponding to the width and length of the 143 grid columns. The top level of the skeleton structure 100 above the storage grids 104 is an upper transport rail system 108 upon which a plurality of container handling vehicles 200 operate.

[0107] The skeletal structure 100 of the automated warehouse system 1 of the present invention (hereinafter abbreviated as storage system 1) is constructed from the prior art skeletal structure 100 described above, i.e., 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 across the top of the storage columns 105 containing stacks 107 of storage containers 106 (hereafter abbreviated as containers 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 a grid cell 122 is marked on the upper transport rail system 108 by a bold line.

[0109] As shown in FIG. 2, each grid cell 122 has a grid cell width W c and the grid cell length L c and the width W o and length L o Each grid location is associated with a grid cell 122.

[0110] The upper transport rail system 108 allows container handling vehicles 200, which are adapted for movement on rails, to move horizontally between different grid locations in a precise and stable manner.

[0111] In FIG. 1 , the storage grid 104 with storage columns 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 extension of more than 700 by 700 grid cells 122. The grid 104 can also be significantly deeper than that disclosed in FIG. 1 . For example, the storage grid 104 may be more than 10 grid cells 122 deep.

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

[0113] Figure 1 shows a container handling vehicle 200 of the type disclosed in WO2015 / 193278A1, while Figure 3 shows a container handling vehicle 200 of the type disclosed in NO317366, namely a container handling vehicle 200 comprising a body 202, a set of wheels 201 attached to the body 202, and a cantilever beam having a lifting device 203 underneath. The lifting device 203 is configured to raise and lower containers 106 into and from storage columns 105, respectively.

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

[0115] The storage facility is divided into three liquid-tight sections 2-4 by external vertical walls arranged on either side of the storage system 1 in the X and Y directions, a horizontal base 14 and ceiling 15 that define the external boundaries of the storage facility in the Z direction, and two internal, spaced-apart vertical separation walls, hereafter referred to as first separation wall 6 and second separation wall 8, both arranged on one side of the storage system 1 in the Y direction (to the right in FIG. 4 ). Note that "liquid-tight section" herein refers to a liquid-tight state during the period when the gates at the boundaries of the section are in the closed position. Furthermore, "liquid-tight" refers to a state in which there is no or only slight leakage of gaseous substances such as gas and / or vapor.

[0116] The three categories are defined as follows: a storage space 2, installed to the left of the first separating wall 6, in which an automated storage system 1 (with a first upper transport rail system 108) of the type shown in FIG. 1 is arranged; a transition space 3 mounted between the first and second separation walls 6 and 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 loading space 4 mounted to the right of the second separating wall 8, operating in air at 1 atmosphere, containing a third upper transport rail system 108'' attached to or integrated with the second upper transport rail system 108';

[0117] The first, second, and third upper transportation rail systems 108, 108', 108'' all serve the upper level P U are arranged in

[0118] The first and second separation walls 6, 8, and thus the transition space 3 and the loading space 4, may additionally or alternatively be arranged to the left of the storage system 1.

[0119] As seen in Figure 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 guide column 9 extending between the third upper transport rail system 108'' and the delivery station 150. The container guide column 9 is configured to guide a container 106, which has been inserted into the column 9 by a container handling vehicle 200, to or from the delivery station 150.

[0120] In the embodiment shown in Figure 4, the container guide column 9 further comprises a lower platform 9a on which the container 106 is placed prior to being moved into the delivery station 150 during transport out of the storage system 1, or prior to being raised and lowered by the container handling vehicle 200 up to the third upper transport rail system 108'' during transport into the storage system 1.

[0121] Movement of containers 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 and lowering of the container 106 through the container guide column 9 may be performed by a dedicated elevator instead of or in addition to using the lifting device 203 in the container handling vehicle 200.

[0123] In addition to or as an alternative to the container guide column 9, which transports the containers 106 vertically to the delivery station 150, transport from the third upper transport rail system 108'' to the delivery station 150 may be performed by one or more downwardly inclined conveyor belts (not shown).

[0124] The first upper transport rail system 108 and the second upper transport rail system 108', and the second transport rail system 108' and the third upper transport rail system 108'' are attached or integrated such that the container handling vehicle 200 is allowed to move freely between the different rail systems 108, 108', 108''.

[0125] Both the first and second separation walls 6, 8 have at least one upper opening 6a, 8a located directly above the two junctions of the upper transport rail systems 108, 108', 108" - i.e., between the first and second upper transport rail systems 108, 108' and between the second and third upper transport rail systems 108', 108" - and have a size to allow the passage of at least one container handling vehicle 200, e.g., a height above the rail groove that is 10% higher than the total height of the container handling vehicle 200 (including any top-mounted devices, such as antennas), and a width corresponding to the distance in the X direction across one grid cell 122, or two grid cells 122, or three grid cells 122. A groove is defined herein as the enclosed track of rail within which the wheels of the vehicle 200 are guided.

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

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

[0128] However, it is feasible that opening and closing can be performed without the use of any motor system. For example, at least one of the upper gates 6b, 8b may be hinged to the respective separation walls 6, 8 at the upper edge of the upper opening 6a, 8a so that the upper gate 6a, 8a pivots into the space 2, 3, 4 through which the container handling vehicle 200 is moving due to the pushing force applied by the vehicle 200. Closing of the upper gates 6b, 8b is thus achieved by gravity, possibly assisted by adding weight on the upper gates 6b, 8b and / or by disposing a mechanical and / or magnetic closing mechanism between the upper gates 6b, 8b and the boundary of the separation walls 6, 8 that define the upper openings 6a, 8a.

[0129] To reduce the risk of fire at least 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 the storage space 2, and a gas pipe 10b in fluid communication between the gas container 10a and the gas inlet 10c. With this arrangement, gas is allowed to flow between the gas container 10a and the storage space 2.

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

[0131] In dry air, the concentration of the flammable gas oxygen is approximately 21%. If the oxygen concentration is reduced to 16% or less, the risk of fire is significantly reduced. In air, a fire may occur due to, for example, sparks from the movement of the container handling vehicle 200, and / or sparks from a charging station (not shown) for charging the batteries in the vehicle 200, and / or due to combustion of contents within the container 106, and / or accidental heating, etc., caused by sunlight striking flammable materials within the storage system 1.

[0132] The liquid-tight separation between the storage space 2 and the loading space 4 ensures that the container handling vehicle 200 can store, retrieve, and receive containers 106 located in an oxygen-reduced atmosphere that has a reduced or slight fire risk but represents a health risk for humans, and deliver the containers 106 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 loading space 4, the amount of fluid leakage from the storage space 2 can be minimized during transition of the container handling vehicle 200 between the storage space 2 and the loading space 4. In effect, the separation walls 6, 8 and the intervening transition space 3 act as an airlock (a chamber with two airtight doors in series (upper openings 6a, 8a sealed by upper gate openings 6b, 8b) that preferably do not open simultaneously).

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

[0135] During operation, the oxygen concentration in the transition space 3 will increase due to the repeated opening of the second upper closable gate 8b, thereby causing an exchange of gas between the loading space 4 and the transition space 3. However, because the first upper closable gate 6b will be closed when the second upper closable gate 8b is opened, there will be little or no air present in the loading space 4 to exchange with the gas mixture present in the storage space 2. Therefore, the increase in the undesired 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 oxygen concentrations within a storage facility, and particularly within storage spaces 2-4. In the exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 4, the storage facility is equipped with an oxygen gas sensor 12 in storage space 2, an oxygen sensor 11 in transition space 3, and an oxygen sensor 13 in loading space 4. All of these oxygen gas sensors 11-13 are shown in Figure 4 mounted on the ceiling 15 of the storage facility. However, the oxygen gas sensors may be mounted anywhere within those respective spaces 2-4.

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

[0138] Measurements by the gas sensors 11-13 may be taken continuously, at intervals, upon request from an 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 a range of use for storage facilities that allow for control of gas concentrations is the storage of perishable foods. Prior art tests have shown that fruits such as apples can be best stored long-term in an atmosphere containing 1% O2 and 1-2.5% CO2. O2 gas may be replaced with N2 gas.

[0141] As mentioned above, the storage facility may alternatively or additionally be equipped with fire extinguishing devices and / or cooling facilities.

[0142] A storage facility having both a cooling facility for cooling the storage space to a temperature below 10°C and a gas regulating 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 in FIG. 5, in which the upright members 102 form part of a framework 100 on which an upper transport rail system 108 with a plurality of container handling vehicles 200 operates.

[0145] Below the upper transport rail system 108, near the base 14, another skeletal structure is shown comprising vertical columns and a lower delivery rail system 308 extending at least partially below some of the storage columns 105 of the storage grid 104. For taller skeletal structures 100, multiple vehicles 300 may operate on the lower delivery rail system 308. Similar or equivalent to the upper transport rail system 108, the lower delivery rail system 308 comprises a first set of parallel rails 310 oriented in a first direction X and a second set of parallel rails 311 oriented in a second direction Y perpendicular to the first direction X, thereby forming a lower horizontal plane P L (Upper horizontal plane P U5 ) in the storage space 2. Each grid cell 322 of the present lower delivery rail system 308 includes a grid opening 315 that is bounded by a pair of adjacent rails 310 a, 310 b of the first set of rails 310 and a pair of adjacent rails 311 a, 311 b of the second set of rails 311. Directly above the delivery rail system 308 and within the storage space 2 is a horizontal plane P L The volume in the vertical direction Z between the delivery rail system 308 and the storage columns 105 is hereinafter referred to as the lower storage space 2'. Furthermore, 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 Figure 7).

[0146] A portion of the lower delivery rail system 308 extending below the storage column 105 is positioned above the horizontal plane P L The grid cell 322 in the horizontal plane P U The grid cells 122 are aligned to coincide with the grid cells 122 of the upper transportation rail system 108 within the grid cells 122 .

[0147] Therefore, with this particular alignment of the two rail systems 108, 308, a container 106 being lowered downward into a storage column 105 in the delivery section 121 by a container handling vehicle 200 (i.e., located above the lower storage space 2') can be placed into or on a storage container support 302 of the delivery vehicle 300, which has been moved to a position directly below the storage column 105.

[0148] 6 shows one example of such a container delivery vehicle 300 comprising 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 302 for receiving and supporting the container 106 delivered by the container handling vehicle 200. The storage container support 302 may be a tray (as shown in FIG. 6), a plate, or any other shape capable of supporting the container during horizontal movement along a lower rail system 308.

[0149] After receiving the container 106, the container delivery vehicle 300 is L , and may be driven in the X and Y directions along the rails 308 to different locations on the lower delivery rail system 308.

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

[0151] With respect to the first embodiment, the storage facility comprises a storage space 2, a transition space 3, and a loading space 4, and at least a portion of the storage system 1 as described above is disposed on a base 14 via base supports 16, illustrated in FIG. 7 by a plurality of upright support rods.

[0152] The plurality of container handling vehicles 200 are arranged on an upper horizontal plane P U The vehicle is operable on an upper transport rail system 108 extending therethrough.

[0153] However, unlike the storage facility of the first embodiment, the container handling vehicle 200 may operate only within the storage space 2. Instead, when a command from the remote control system 109 instructs the storage system 1 to retrieve a particular container 106 from the storage grid 104, the container handling vehicle 200 transports the container 106 to a storage column 105 above the delivery section 121 (after raising or lowering the container 106 from its respective stack 107, as described above), and then lowers the container 106 down to a waiting container delivery vehicle 300.

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

[0155] In a manner similar to or the same as that described with respect to 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 so that the container delivery vehicle 300 can move freely between the two lower delivery rail systems 308, 308'.

[0156] In further similarity to the upper transport rail system 108, 108' of the first embodiment, the first lower closable gate 6d is mounted relative to the first lower opening 6c such that a fluid-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 Figure 7, the vertical termination 123 of the storage grid 104 is shown arranged at the boundary between the delivery bay 121 and the lower storage space 2' in which the container handling vehicle 300 operates. The vertical termination may be one or more horizontal plates or horizontal beams 123 that extend across the depth of the storage space 2 in the X direction and at least to the first separation wall 6 along the Y direction.

[0158] In Figure 7, the vertical terminus 123 further extends in the Y direction across the transition space 3 to the second separation wall 8. The lower transition space 3' may therefore be defined as the depth of the transition space 3 or storage system 1 in the X direction, the distance between the first and second separation walls 6, 8 in the Y direction, and the distance between the second delivery rail system 308' and the vertical terminus 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 up to the second separation wall 8, creating a liquid-tight separation between the transition space 3 and the loading space 4 containing the container delivery station 150. Similar to the first separation wall 6, the second separation wall 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 relative to the opening 8c to enable liquid-tight / air-tight closure across the second separation wall 8.

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

[0161] The third lower delivery rail system 308'' extends in the Y direction to at least the container delivery station 150, 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 robotic operator 151.

[0162] With respect to the first embodiment, it is considered advantageous to dispose one or more oxygen gas sensors 11-13 at a location within each of the spaces 2-4 to monitor the oxygen concentration, for example, at the ceiling 15 of the storage facility. Measurements may be taken continuously, at time intervals, upon request from an operator, or a combination thereof.

[0163] Figure 8 shows a storage facility of a third embodiment of the present invention which combines the solutions of the first and second embodiments, showing that both container handling vehicles 200 and 300 can transport containers 106 between storage space 2 and handling space 4 for further handling.

[0164] In the third embodiment, a lower delivery rail system 308, 308', 308" and an upper transport system 108, 108', 108" are set up in respective spaces within the storage facility that are separated by separation 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 or equivalent to that for the first and second embodiments. Furthermore, each opening 6a, 8a, 6c, 8c is equipped with a closable gate 6b, 8b, 6d, 8d arranged in a manner similar or equivalent to that for the first and second embodiments.

[0165] 8, the vertical terminal 123 extends further into the handling space 4 in the Y direction up to or near the container delivery station 150. The lower handling space 4′ can therefore be defined as the depth of the handling space 4 in the X direction, the distance between the second separation 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 mounted within the container guide 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 values, systems, and configurations have been set forth 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 apparent to those skilled in the art to which the disclosed subject matter pertains, are deemed to be within the scope of the present invention.

[0167] [Table 1-1]

Table 1-2

Table 1-3

Claims

1. A storage facility comprising: A storage space (2) comprising an enclosed storage system (1), said storage system comprising: a storage grid (104) configured to store a plurality of storage containers (106) in a vertical stack (107); a first upper vehicle support (108), the first upper vehicle support (108) being located on an upper horizontal plane (P Ｕ a first upper vehicle support (108) extending within the A container handling vehicle (200), the container handling vehicle (200) being arranged on the first upper vehicle support (108) and comprising a wheel arrangement (201) and a lifting device (203), the container handling vehicle (200) comprising: transporting at least one of the plurality of storage containers (106) between at least two locations on the first upper vehicle support (108) using the wheel arrangement (201); vertically displacing said at least one storage container (106) using said lifting device (203); a container handling vehicle (200) configured to perform the following: a first lower vehicle support (308), the first lower vehicle support (308) being located on a lower horizontal plane (P Ｌ a first lower vehicle support (308) extending within the a container delivery vehicle (300) configured to operate within a lower section (2') of the storage space (2) above the first lower vehicle support (308), the container delivery vehicle (300) configured to receive the at least one storage container (106) from the container handling vehicle (200) and transport the at least one storage container (106) between at least two locations on the first lower vehicle support (308) using a wheel arrangement (301); a storage space (2) comprising: A transition space (3), said transition space (3) comprising: a second lower vehicle support (308′), the second lower vehicle support (308′) being configured to support the lower horizontal surface (P) so 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); Ｌ a second lower vehicle support (308') extending within the first lower vehicle support (308) and aligned with the first lower vehicle support (308); a transition space (3) comprising: a first separation wall (6), said first separation wall (6) separating said storage space (2) and said transition space (3), said first separation wall (6) comprising: a first lower opening (6c) sized and positioned to allow the container delivery vehicle (300) to pass 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), the first lower closable gate (6d) being configured to open and close the first lower opening (6c); a first separating wall (6) comprising: Equipped with The storage facility further comprises: a loading space (4) for loading storage containers (106) to be transported from or to the warehousing system (1) in the storage space (2); A second separation wall (8) separating the cargo space (4) and the transition space (3), the second separation wall (8) comprising: a second lower opening (8c) sized and positioned to allow the container delivery vehicle (300) to pass between the lower section (3') of the transition space (3) and the lower section (4') of the loading space (4); a second lower closable gate (8d), said second lower closable gate (8d) configured to open and close said second lower opening (8c); a second separating wall (8) comprising: Storage facilities equipped with:

2. 2. The storage facility of claim 1, wherein the first lower closable gate (6d) is configured to be opened and closed remotely by use of a remote control system (109).

3. 3. The storage facility according to claim 1, wherein the first lower closable gate (6d) is configured to create a fluid-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).

4. A storage facility according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the second lower closable gate (8d) is configured to be opened and closed remotely by use of a remote control system (109).

5. The cargo handling space (4) is Ｌ 5. The storage facility of claim 4, further comprising a third lower vehicle support (308") extending within the transition space (3) and the loading space (4), the third lower vehicle support (308") being arranged relative to the second lower opening (8c) such that the container delivery vehicle (300) can move between the second lower vehicle support (308") and the third lower vehicle support (308") through the second lower opening (8c) between the lower section (3') of the transition space (3) and the lower section (4') of the loading space (4).

6. The cargo handling space (4) comprises a container delivery station (150), the container delivery station (150) comprising: receiving a storage container (106) transported by said container delivery vehicle (300) for further handling; or delivering the storage container (106) to the container delivery vehicle (300) for storage within the warehouse system (1); or combinations of these The storage facility according to any one of claims 1 to 5, configured to perform the following.

7. 7. The storage facility of claim 6, when dependent on claim 5, wherein the container delivery vehicle (300) is movable along the third lower vehicle support (308'') from the second lower opening (8c) to a location adjacent the container delivery station (150).

8. 8. The storage facility of claim 1, wherein the storage facility comprises a delivery section (121) below the first upper vehicle support (108), which is a gap in a stack (107) of storage containers (106), the delivery section (121) comprising a lower section (2') of the storage space (2) extending vertically from the first lower vehicle support (308) to a height that is at least the height of the container delivery vehicle (300) having the storage containers (106) stored therein.

9. Storage facility according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein horizontal beams (123) are arranged in an upper vertical position in a lower section (2') of the storage space (2).

10. The first lower vehicle support (308) is a lower rail system, and the lower rail system is connected to the lower horizontal surface (P Ｌ a first set of lower parallel rails (310) arranged in a first direction (X) and extending in a first direction (X); Ｌ and a second set of parallel rails (311) arranged in said lower horizontal plane (P) and extending in a second direction (Y) perpendicular to said first direction (X), said first and second sets of parallel rails (310, 311) being spaced apart from said lower horizontal plane (P Ｌ ) with length L ｃ and width W ｃ forming a grid pattern comprising a plurality of adjacent grid cells (322) of the first set of lower parallel rails (310), each having a grid opening (315) defined by an adjacent pair of rails of the first set of lower parallel rails (310) and an adjacent pair of rails of the second set of lower parallel rails (311); a wheel arrangement (301) of the container delivery vehicle (300) 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 claims 1 to 9.

11. The upper vehicle support (108) is an upper rail system, and the upper rail system is connected to the upper horizontal surface (P Ｕ a first set of upper parallel rails (110) arranged in said upper horizontal plane (P Ｕ and a second set of parallel rails (111) arranged in said upper horizontal plane (P) and extending in a second direction (Y) perpendicular to said first direction (X), said first and second sets of parallel rails (110, 111) being spaced apart from each other by a distance of about 100 mm from said upper horizontal plane (P). Ｕ ) with length L ｃ and width W ｃ forming a grid pattern comprising a plurality of adjacent grid cells (122) each comprising a grid opening (115) defined by a pair of adjacent rails of said first set of lower parallel rails (310) and a pair of adjacent rails of said second set of upper parallel rails (111); a wheel arrangement (201) of the container handling vehicle (200) configured to allow movement in the first direction (X) and the second direction (Y) along the upper rail system (108); The storage facility of claim 10.

12. The first separating wall (6) further comprises: a first upper opening (6a), said first upper opening (6a) being sized and positioned to allow said container handling vehicle (200) to pass through; a first upper closable gate (6b), the first upper closable gate (6b) being configured to open and close the first upper opening (6a); Equipped with The storage facility further includes a second upper vehicle support (108'), and the second upper vehicle support (108') is configured to support the upper horizontal surface (P) so that the container handling vehicle (200) can move between the storage space (2) and the transition space (3) through the first upper opening (6a). Ｕ 12. The storage facility of claim 1, wherein the first upper vehicle support extends within the storage facility and is aligned with the first upper vehicle support.

13. The second separating wall (8) is a second upper opening (8a) sized and positioned to allow the container handling vehicle (200) to pass from the transition space (3) to the cargo handling space (4) and from the cargo handling space (4) to the transition space (3); a second upper closable gate (8b), said second upper closable gate (8b) configured to open and close said second upper opening (8a); 13. A storage facility according to claim 12, at least when dependent on claim 5, comprising:

14. 14. The storage facility according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the storage facility comprises a fire extinguishing device (10, 10a-c) configured to inject a fire extinguishing substance into the storage space (2) to extinguish a fire therein.

15. 15. The storage facility according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the storage facility comprises a cooling facility, the cooling facility being configured to reduce the temperature inside the storage space (2) before and / or during operation to a temperature that is below the temperature outside the storage space (2).

16. 16. Storage facility according to claim 15, wherein the cooling facility is arranged at least partially within the storage space (2).

17. The storage facility according to any one of claims 1 to 16, further comprising a flammable gas sensor (11) arranged in the transition space (3) for measuring the concentration of a flammable gas.

18. 18. The storage facility according to any one of claims 1 to 17, comprising a gas regulating device (10, 10a-c) arranged in fluid communication with the storage space (2), the gas regulating device (10, 10a-c) configured to regulate the gas composition of gas in the storage space (2) before and / or during operation.

19. The gas regulating device (10, 10a-c) comprises: A gas container (10a), wherein the gas container (10a) has an initial flammable gas concentration (C Ｏｉ ) into the gas having the initial combustible gas concentration (C Ｏｉ Final combustible gas concentration (C Ｏｆ a gas container (10a) comprising means for converting the gas into a conversion gas having at least one gas inlet (10c), said at least one gas inlet (10c) allowing fluid communication from said gas container (10a) to said storage space (2); Equipped with 19. The storage facility of claim 18, wherein the gas regulating device (10, 10a-c) is configured to replace an initial gas in the storage space (2) with the conversion gas by directing the conversion gas from the gas container (10a) into the storage space (2) at least in part via the at least one gas inlet (10c).

20. 20. A method for reducing the risk of fire in or in a storage system (1) arranged in a storage space (2) of a storage facility according to claim 19, said method comprising: Initial combustible gas concentration (C Ｏｉ The gas in the gas container (10a) having the initial flammable gas concentration (C Ｏｉ Final combustible gas concentration (C Ｏｆ ) into a converted gas having a at least partially replacing the initial gas in the storage space (2) with the conversion gas by directing the conversion gas from the gas container (10a) into the storage space (2) via the at least one gas inlet (10c); A method comprising:

21. The method further comprises: loading at least one storage container (106) of the plurality of storage containers stored in the storage grid (104) using the lifting device (203); lowering the at least one storage container (106) vertically downward onto the container delivery vehicle (300); opening said 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 said first lower closable gate (6d); 21. The method of claim 20, comprising:

22. The storage facility further comprises a loading space (4) for loading and unloading storage containers (106) to be transported from or to the storage system (1) in the storage space (2), and a second separation wall (8) separating the loading space (4) and the transition space (3), the second separation wall (8) comprising: a second lower opening (8c), said second lower opening (8c) being sized and positioned to allow said container delivery vehicle (300) to pass through; a second lower closable gate (8d), said second lower closable gate (8d) configured to open and close said second lower opening (8c); the method further comprising: opening said 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 loading space (4); closing said second lower closable gate (8d); 22. The method of claim 21, comprising:

23. The method further comprising: The time interval (Δt) between the closing of the first lower closable gate (6d) and the opening of the second lower closable gate (8d) is adjusted to adjust the final flammable gas concentration (C Ｏｆ ) is at a predetermined maximum level (C Ｏ，ＭＡＸ ) 23. The method of claim 22, comprising:

24. The method further comprises: The final combustible gas concentration (C Ｏｆ ) step The method according to any one of claims 20 to 23, comprising:

25. The method further comprises: Regulating the gas in the storage space (2); The final combustible gas concentration (C Ｏｆ ) further reducing the The final combustible gas concentration (C Ｏｆ ) constant or nearly constant. The method according to any one of claims 20 to 24, comprising:

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