Robotic fire extinguishing device and handling method

Abstract

A fire extinguishing robotic service device is described for use on a robotic picking system grid. The fire extinguishing robotic service device is capable of driving to any location on the grid in order to extinguish a fire. The service device may also be provided with a camera or a sensor to locate the fire.

1 . A robotic picking and storage system comprising:
 two substantially perpendicular sets of rails arranged as first and second sets of rails forming a grid;   stacked containers located beneath the rails;   robotic load handling devices configured for operating on the rails:
 a service device including:
 (i) a body mounted on two sets of wheels, the first set of wheels being arranged to engage with at least two rails of the first set of rails, the second set of wheels being arranged to engage with at least two rails of the second set of rails, one of the first or second set of wheels being independently moveable and driveable with respect to the other of the first or second set of wheels such that only one set of wheels will engage with the first or second set of rails at any one time thereby enabling movement of the service device along the rails to any point on the grid by driving only the set of wheels engaged with the rails; and 
 (ii) a movable output for directing fire extinguishing material towards a portion of the robotic picking and storage system; 
 
 a fire extinguishing material supply; and 
 a hose and a hose reel for supplying fire extinguishing material from the fire extinguishing material supply to the movable output. 
   
     
     
         2 . A robotic picking and storage system according to  claim 1 , wherein the service device comprises:
 fire detecting means.   
     
     
         3 . A robotic picking and storage system according to  claim 1 , wherein the hose reel is configured to be movably carried on an edge of the system by a structural member. 
     
     
         4 . A robotic picking and storage system according to  claim 1 , wherein the service device comprises:
 containing means for containing fire extinguishing material; and   pumping means for supplying fire extinguishing material from the containing means to the movable output.   
     
     
         5 . A robotic picking and storage system according to  claim 2 , wherein the fire detecting means is selected from a group consisting of a smoke detector, a heat sensor, an optical sensor, and an audio sensor. 
     
     
         6 . A robotic picking and storage system according to  claim 1 , wherein the service device comprises:
 camera means for providing a vision system to observe a fire remotely.   
     
     
         7 . A robotic picking and storage system according to  claim 1 , wherein the service device comprises:
 deploying means for deploying sealing means for sealing a portion of the storage system to prevent spread of a fire.   
     
     
         8 . A robotic picking and storage system according to  claim 1 , wherein the movable output comprises:
 a spray device or a nozzle.   
     
     
         9 . A service device configured for a robotic picking and storage system having substantially perpendicular sets of rails arranged as first and second sets of rails forming a grid, the service device comprising:
 (i) a body mounted on two sets of wheels, the first set of wheels being arranged to engage with at least two rails of the first set of rails, the second set of wheels being arranged to engage with at least two rails of the second set of rails, one of the first or second set of wheels being independently moveable and driveable with respect to the other of the first or second set of wheels such that only one set of wheels will engage with the first or second set of rails at any one time thereby enabling movement of the service device along the rails to any point on the grid by driving only the set of wheels engaged with the rails; and   (ii) a movable output for directing fire extinguishing material towards a portion of the robotic picking and storage system.   
     
     
         10 . A robotic picking and storage system according to  claim 2 , wherein the hose reel is configured to be movably carried on an edge of the system by a structural member. 
     
     
         11 . A robotic picking and storage system according to  claim 10 , wherein the service device comprises:
 containing means for containing fire extinguishing material; and   pumping means for supplying fire extinguishing material from the containing means to the movable output.   
     
     
         12 . A robotic picking and storage system according to  claim 11 , wherein the fire detecting means is selected from a group consisting of a smoke detector, a heat sensor, an optical sensor, and an audio sensor. 
     
     
         13 . A robotic picking and storage system according to  claim 11 , wherein the service device comprises:
 camera means for providing a vision system to observe a fire remotely.   
     
     
         14 . A robotic picking and storage system according to  claim 13 , wherein the service device comprises:
 deploying means for deploying sealing means for sealing a portion of the storage system to prevent spread of a fire.   
     
     
         15 . A robotic picking and storage system according to  claim 14 , wherein the movable output comprises:
 a spray device or a nozzle.