Patents Assigned to OCADO INNOVATION LIMITED
  • LOAD-HANDLING DEVICE
    Publication number: 20230192404
    Abstract: A load-handling device for lifting and moving containers stacked in stacks in a storage structure, the storage structure including, above the stacks of containers, a first set of tracks extending in a first direction and a second set of tracks extending in a second direction which is transverse to the first direction, the load-handling device being configured to move on the tracks above the stacks, the load-handling device including at least one wheel which is provided by a combined wheel and wheel-control unit having the at least one wheel and a controller configured to control rotation of the at least one wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2021
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Applicant: Ocado Innovation Limited
    Inventors: Nick SHARP, David EBENEZER, Negar KHOSROSHAHLI
  • MULTITEMPERATURE STORAGE SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20230194140
    Abstract: A multitemperature storage system includes a storage structure including a plurality of upright members , a plurality of horizontal members supported by the upright members and forming a grid pattern defining a plurality of grid cells and allowing containers to be arranged in stacks beneath the grid cells defined by the grid pattern, and a track structure on top of the horizontal members , the track structure being configured to allow a load-handling device to move across the storage structure to retrieve a container from a stack ; and including temperature-control to maintain a first-temperature region within the storage structure at a first temperature and a second-temperature region within the storage structure at a second temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2021
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Applicant: Ocado Innovation Limited
    Inventors: Benjamin MEUTH, Brian REID, Eric BOATENG, Fliss CHAPLIN, Gavin EVANS, Ovi CRISTESCU, Ribka TAHIR
  • Object handling coordination system and method of relocating a transporting vessel
    Patent number: 11673743
    Abstract: An object handling coordination system includes a plurality of transporting vessels arranged as a three-dimensional cluster of transporting vessels. The plurality of transporting vessels is addressable and the cluster has a self-reconfigurable physical topology. A relocatable transporting vessel is configured to be relocatable within the. A motion control system is configured to determine a path from a start location of the relocatable transporting vessel within the cluster to a destination location within the cluster and arranged to execute movement of the relocatable transporting vessel within the cluster using the determined path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: OCADO INNOVATION LIMITED
    Inventors: David Sharp, Joseph Zammit, Richard Watkins, Michael Campbell
  • Apparatus and Method for Charging a Load Handling Device on a Grid
    Publication number: 20230174300
    Abstract: A load handling device is disclosed for lifting and moving one or more containers stacked in a storage system having a grid framework structure supporting a pathway arranged in a grid pattern above stacks 1of containers, the load handling device including a vehicle body housing a driving; a lifting device including a lifting drive assembly and a grabber, wherein the lifting drive assembly and/or the driving mechanism includes at least one motor forming an electrical load; a rechargeable energy storage for providing energy to power the electrical load; and a charging system including a first part for charging the rechargeable energy storage including a charge receiving element on the vehicle body, and a second part for delivering energy to the electrical load; wherein the second part includes a DC/DC converter to supply a predetermined DC voltage across the electrical load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2021
    Publication date: June 8, 2023
    Applicant: Ocado Innovation Limited
    Inventors: Damian FLYNN, Martyn BATES, Philip CORSER, Simon CHIVERTON, Javier NADAL, Giovanni PASSETTI
  • Temperature controlled storage system
    Patent number: 11667456
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to stacked, grid storage systems such as densely packed storage systems, and methods of adjusting, regulating, controlling and maintaining the temperature of storage systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: OCADO INNOVATION LIMITED
    Inventors: Lars Sverker Ture Lindbo, Mark Fryer, Martyn Lee Bates, Kevin Faux, Timothy Deighton Steiner, Siddique Shaihk
  • ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEM FOR A LOAD HANDLING DEVICE
    Publication number: 20230170731
    Abstract: A load handling device is disclosed for lifting and moving one or more containers stacked in a storage system having a grid framework supporting a pathway arranged in a grid pattern above the stacks of containers, the load handling device including a vehicle body housing a driving; a lifting device having a lifting drive assembly and a grabber device, wherein the lifting drive assembly and/or the driving mechanism includes at least one motor forming electrical loads; a rechargeable power source; and an assembly of one or more supercapacitor modules; wherein the electrical loads are connected across the supercapacitor modules, and the rechargeable power source is connected in parallel to the supercapacitor modules to provide power to re supercapacitor modules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2021
    Publication date: June 1, 2023
    Applicant: Ocado Innovation Limited
    Inventors: Philip CORSER, David BROWN, Javier NADAL, Giovanni PASSETTI
  • Methods, systems and apparatus for controlling movement of transporting devices
    Patent number: 11650601
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling movement of transporting devices arranged to transport containers, the containers being stored in stacks arranged in a facility. A facility having pathways arranged in a grid-like structure above stacks, the transporting devices being configured to operate on the grid-like structure. A control unit configured to determine at least one task to be performed by at least one transporting device, wherein the at least one task is determined based on at least one of: transporting device battery condition, transporting device damage, transporting device maintenance issues, and transporting device service issues.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: OCADO INNOVATION LIMITED
    Inventors: Robert Stadie, Matthew Whelan, Christopher Brett
  • Methods, systems and apparatus for controlling movement of transporting devices
    Patent number: 11640176
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling movement of transporting devices arranged to transport containers, the containers being stored in stacks arranged in a facility. A facility having pathways arranged in a grid-like structure above stacks, the transporting devices being configured to operate on the grid-like structure. A control unit configured to determine at least one task to be performed by at least one transporting device, wherein the at least one task is determined based on at least one of: transporting device battery condition, transporting device damage, transporting device maintenance issues, and transporting device service issues.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: OCADO INNOVATION LIMITED
    Inventors: Robert Stadie, Matthew Whelan, Christopher Brett
  • AUTOMATED STORAGE SYSTEMS AND DEVICES
    Publication number: 20230126335
    Abstract: A grid framework structure is disclosed having first set of parallel rails or tracks and a second set of parallel rails or tracks forming a grid pattern with grid spaces. The grid is supported by a set of uprights to form a plurality of vertical storage locations beneath the grid for containers to be stacked between and be guided by the uprights in a vertical direction through the plurality of grid spaces. A load handling device includes: a drive assembly having at least two motors for driving a first set of wheels; at least two motors for driving a second set of wheels, wherein each motor is positioned such that its drive shaft is parallel and non-coaxially arranged with respect to the axis of rotation of its respective wheel; and, a number of gear arrangements corresponding to the number of motors for transferring drive from the motors to the wheels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2021
    Publication date: April 27, 2023
    Applicant: Ocado Innovation Limited
    Inventor: Lars Sverker Ture LINDBO
  • GRID FRAMEWORK STRUCTURE
    Publication number: 20230128175
    Abstract: An earthquake restraint grid framework structure includes a grid framework structure for supporting a load handling device operative to move one or more containers in a stack. The grid framework structure includes intersecting grid members arranged to form a grid having plural f substantially rectangular frames in a horizontal plane, each of the substantially rectangular frames constituting a grid cell. The grid is supported by plural upright columns at each of the intersections of grid members to form a plurality of vertical storage locations for containers to be stacked between the upright columns and be guided in a vertical direction through the substantially rectangular frames. An exoskeleton includes plural vertical frame columns braced by at least one bracing member, the grid being further supported by the exoskeleton to form a seismic restraint system (SFRS).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2021
    Publication date: April 27, 2023
    Applicant: Ocado Innovation Limited
    Inventors: Olivier PHANEUF, Nicholas MCLARNEY, Robert PALLMANN, Allan OLSON, Scott EMMETT, Neil CARSTAIRS, Steven CRAIG, Enrique RODAL, Aditya DWIVEDI
  • AUTOMATED STORAGE SYSTEMS AND DEVICES
    Publication number: 20230125328
    Abstract: A grid framework structure includes: first and second sets of parallel rails or tracks forming a grid pattern with grid spaces. The grid is supported by a set of uprights to form vertical storage locations beneath the grid for containers to be stacked. A load handling device includes: a lifting assembly having a sling assembly arranged to support, raise and lower a load, the sling assembly having: a sling extending between a support mountable to a body of the load handling device and a gripper plate for supporting the load. First and second ends of the sling are attached to first and second hoist drums.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2021
    Publication date: April 27, 2023
    Applicant: Ocado Innovation Limited
    Inventor: Lars Sverker Ture LINDBO
  • Methods, systems and apparatus for controlling movement of transporting devices
    Patent number: 11635769
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling movement of transporting devices arranged to transport containers, the containers being stored in stacks arranged in a facility. A facility having pathways arranged in a grid-like structure above stacks, the transporting devices being configured to operate on the grid-like structure. A control unit configured to determine at least one task to be performed by at least one transporting device, wherein the at least one task is determined based on at least one of: transporting device battery condition, transporting device damage, transporting device maintenance issues, and transporting device service issues.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: OCADO INNOVATION LIMITED
    Inventors: Robert Stadie, Matthew Whelan, Christopher Brett
  • A GRID FRAMEWORK STRUCTURE
    Publication number: 20230122567
    Abstract: A grid framework structure for supporting a load handling device operative to move one or more containers in a stack. The grid framework structure includes plural upright columns arranged to form plurality of vertical storage locations for containers to be stacked between upright columns. The columns are interconnected at their top ends by a first set of grid members and a second set of grid members, the second set running transversely to the first set to form a grid structure. A sub-group of upright columns rigidly joined together by at least one bracing assembly of diagonal braces form a braced tower. The sub-group of upright columns includes three upright columns with two of the three upright columns being laterally disposed either side of a middle upright column, and being rigidly connected to the middle upright column by the diagonal braces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2021
    Publication date: April 20, 2023
    Applicant: Ocado Innovation Limited
    Inventors: Ian PARKS, Adam GULLICK, Enrique RODAL, Stephen BOHAN, Aditya DWIVEDI, Neil CARSTAIRS, Mike BANFI, Scott EMMETT, Michael MAGNIER
  • PICKING SYSTEMS AND METHODS
    Publication number: 20230112249
    Abstract: A system for picking items from a containerised storage system is described. The items are stored in storage bins in stacks within a framework comprising a grid system disposed above the stacks of bins. Robotic devices are disposed on the grid, the devices acting so as to pick containers from the stacks of bins. The storage system is provided with at least one picking device for picking items from bins and depositing them directly in delivery containers DT.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2022
    Publication date: April 13, 2023
    Applicant: OCADO INNOVATION LIMITED
    Inventors: Lars Sverker Ture LINDBO, Andrew John INGRAM-TEDD
  • RAISING AND LOWERING CONTAINERS
    Publication number: 20230116001
    Abstract: A method and load-handling device for lifting and moving containers are disclosed, the load-handling device including: a body having an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion being configured to house one or more operation components, the lower portion being arranged beneath the upper portion, the lower portion including a container-receiving space for accommodating at least part of a container; and a container-lifting mechanism including a container-gripping assembly configured to releasably grip a container and a raising and lowering assembly configured to raise and lower the container-gripping assembly, wherein the raising and lowering assembly including a single motor configured to raise and lower the container-gripping assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2021
    Publication date: April 13, 2023
    Applicant: Ocado Innovation Limited
    Inventors: James BENFOLD, Daniel POPA, Matthew HARMAN, Vipin PILLAI, Matthew WHELAN, Wilhelm JOHANNISSON, Liam HARRISON
  • A Dispatch System
    Publication number: 20230115325
    Abstract: A fulfilment centre for fulfilling an order of one or more items, wherein the fulfilment centre includes: for storage of the storage; iii) a dispatch system having a plurality of lockers with an interior space for storing items, the interior space being accessible through a first opening exterior of the fulfilment centre and a second opening interior of the fulfilment centre; iv) a door mechanism operable to selectively close the first opening(s) of the lockers exterior of the fulfilment centre and the second opening(s) of the lockers interior of the fulfilment centre; and a locking mechanism configured to lock and unlock the door mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2021
    Publication date: April 13, 2023
    Applicant: Ocado Innovation Limited
    Inventors: Max THORP, Beth JOLLEY, Nicholas MILLARD
  • RECHARGEABLE POWER SOURCE FOR A LOAD HANDLING DEVICE
    Publication number: 20230116593
    Abstract: A load handling device for lifting and moving one or more containers stacked in a storage system with a grid framework structure supporting a plurality of tracks arranged in a grid pattern to define a grid structure above the one or more stacks of containers, the load handling device including: A) a driving mechanism; B) a vehicle body housing: i) a container receiving space located above the tracks; ii) a lifting device having a lifting drive assembly and a grabber; and iii) a cassette housing a rechargeable power source for powering the driving mechanism; wherein a thermal management system includes a temperature sensor and at least one temperature regulating device configured to maintain the temperature of the rechargeable power source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2021
    Publication date: April 13, 2023
    Applicant: Ocado Innovation Limited
    Inventors: Philip CORSER, Damian FLYNN
  • Vending system and method of automatically vending
    Patent number: 11625671
    Abstract: An automated vending system includes a physical item storage unit, and a plurality of land-based transportation mechanisms, or vehicles, arranged to store a predicted number and assortment of items to vend. A processing resource can communicate with the plurality of transportation vehicles, and is arranged to support a machine learning module. A plurality of data sources is arranged to provide data to the machine learning module to determine a plurality of respective actions for the plurality of transportation vehicles. The processing resource can communicate respective control instructions to the plurality of transportation vehicles. A selected transportation mechanism which receives the control instruction can operate in response to the control instruction in order to convey the item to a determined vending location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: OCADO INNOVATION LIMITED
    Inventor: Paul Clarke
  • AUTOMATED STORAGE SYSTEMS, AND DEVICES
    Publication number: 20230106919
    Abstract: A drive belt assembly for a load handling device includes a drive belt; a drive wheel; and one or more driven wheels. A first tensioning arm, having a fixed end above an elbow and a rotatable distal end pivotally attached at the elbow, is horizontally displaceable relative to the drive wheel and driven wheels. A second tensioning arm is provided wherein the drive belt is routed around the first and second tensioning arms, and the first and second tensioning arms are arranged to put pressure on the drive belt to tension the drive belt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2021
    Publication date: April 6, 2023
    Applicant: Ocado Innovation Limited
    Inventor: Wilhelm JOHANNISSON
  • STORAGE CONTAINERS, BINS AND DEVICES
    Publication number: 20230108195
    Abstract: A mechanised container for use in a robotic storage and picking system is described. The container includes a base openable to deposit at least one item from the container in to a further container positioned by a load handling device beneath the first container. Each item can be stored in such mechanised containers in stacks within a robotic storage and picking system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2022
    Publication date: April 6, 2023
    Applicant: OCADO INNOVATION LIMITED
    Inventors: Lars Sverker Ture LINDBO, Andrew John INGRAM-TEDD