Patent · US Expired

High-speed automatic storage and retrieval system and apparatus therefor

US4773807A · kind A · utility

94Cited by
4References
14Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateApr 30, 1986
Grant dateSep 27, 1988
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 30, 2006

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB65G1/0485
  • WIPO fieldHandling
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

An elevated track network guides self-propelled guided vehicles (with containers thereon) from an entry location where objects enter the system, to a storage zone defined by sets of compartmentalized storage racks wherein containers filled with objects are temporarily stored, and from thence to an exit location where retrieved objects leave the system. Each set of storage racks comprise four racks and two aisles, with two of the racks arranged back-to-back between the aisles and the other two racks on opposite sides of the aisles. Each storage rack comprises storage compartments arranged in horizontal rows and vertical columns. A track in the track network extends through and along an intermediate row in one of the back-to-back racks (pre-empting the compartments in that row). Each aisle accommodates a self-propelled aisle crane which services the racks on both sides of the aisle. Each crane comprises a chassis movable along its aisle to any column, a carriage vertically movable on the chassis to any row, and an extendable/retractable shuttle on the carriage for storing and retrieving objects in the compartments. The shuttle has a "home position" intermediate the opposite ends of i…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.