| CPC B60H 1/00842 (2013.01) [B60H 1/00792 (2013.01); B65G 1/137 (2013.01); G05B 19/4155 (2013.01); G05B 2219/50333 (2013.01); G06Q 10/0832 (2013.01)] | 20 Claims |
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1. A storage system to provide tote-based temperature control, comprising:
a storage array configured to receive a plurality of totes, the storage array including a plurality of storage positions, individual storage positions configured to receive individual totes, and the individual totes configured to receive at least one item;
an air distribution network configured to provide temperature control to the individual storage positions of the storage array, the air distribution network including a plurality of pipes and a plurality of valves, and the individual storage positions of the storage array including a cold air supply pipe, associated cold air supply valve, a cold air return pipe, and associated cold air return valve;
a plurality of sensors associated with the air distribution network, the plurality of sensors comprising a first pressure sensor at a first location and a second pressure sensor at a second location, the first and second pressure sensors configured to detect a pressure gradient between the first and second locations; and
a plurality of insulated totes of the plurality of totes configured to be stored at the individual storage positions of the storage array, individual insulated totes including an input pipe, associated input valve, an output pipe, and associated output valve;
wherein for individual insulated totes positioned at respective individual storage positions, the input pipe couples to the cold air supply pipe, the input valve and the cold air supply valve couple and open to allow air flow into an individual insulated tote, the output pipe couples to the cold air return pipe, and the output valve and the cold air return valve couple and open to allow air flow out of the individual insulated tote.
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