Prevention of exhaust air re-entrainment in automated storage facility with actively cooled totes

Abstract

Systems and methods for prevention of exhaust air re-entrainment in automated storage facility with actively cooled totes are provided. In some embodiments, an actively cooled container includes: an active cooling subsystem; and a heat exhaust outlet to remove heat from the active cooling subsystem; wherein the heat exhaust outlet is angled upward to more effectively remove the heat from the ambient environment of the actively cooled container. In some embodiments, a method of managing a storage area of actively cooled totes includes: determining a plurality of actively cooled totes that require active cooling; and determining an arrangement of the plurality of actively cooled totes in the storage area. The arrangement reduces a column of hot exhaust air formed in the storage area. In this way, the storage of actively cooled totes is made more reliable and more efficient.

1 . An actively cooled container comprising:
 an active cooling subsystem; and   a heat exhaust outlet to remove heat from the active cooling subsystem;   wherein the heat exhaust outlet is angled upward to more effectively remove the heat from the ambient environment of the actively cooled container.   
     
     
         2 . The actively cooled container of  claim 1  wherein the heat exhaust outlet is angled upward at approximately a 45 degree angle. 
     
     
         3 . A method of managing a storage area of actively cooled totes, the method comprising:
 determining a plurality of actively cooled totes that require active cooling; and   determining an arrangement of the plurality of actively cooled totes in the storage area;   where the arrangement reduces a column of hot exhaust air formed in the storage area.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein determining the arrangement comprises arranging the plurality of actively cooled totes in a staggered pattern through the storage area. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3  wherein determining the arrangement comprises determining the arrangement based on a percentage of the area of the storage area occupied by the plurality of actively cooled totes. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 3  wherein determining the arrangement comprises determining a cooling level needed by each of the plurality of actively cooled totes. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5  wherein determining the cooling level needed by each of the plurality of actively cooled totes comprises one of the group consisting of: ambient temperature; refrigerated; and frozen. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 3  further comprising:
 selectively operating an active cooling subsystem of the plurality of actively cooled totes based on the arrangement of the actively cooled totes. 
 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 3  further comprising:
 selectively operating an active cooling subsystem of the plurality of actively cooled totes based on the arrangement of the actively cooled totes. 
 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 3  wherein one or more of the plurality of actively cooled totes comprises a heat exhaust outlet that is angled upward to more effectively remove heat from the ambient environment.