Cargo container storage and retrieval system and method

摘要

The invention relates to a cargo container storage and retrieval system and method. One embodiment of a system according to the present invention includes a vessel having cargo hold with a plurality of bulkheads disposed along a width of the cargo hold to define a plurality of adjacent cells along a length of the cargo hold. The cargo hold is also equipped with a plurality of tiers along a depth of the cargo hold. The vessel also includes a deck having a plurality of hatch openings that are used to gain access to the cargo hold. In addition, the vessel includes a storage and retrieval system having a plurality of sets of parallel spaced tracks and a plurality of chassis seats disposed within each set of parallel space tracks. Each track of each set of parallel spaced tracks is mounted to a surface of a bulkhead of opposing bulkheads so that one set of parallel space tracks is disposed within each cell along the length of the cargo hold and so that a plurality of sets of parallel spaced tracks are disposed within each tier of the cargo. Each chassis seat has corresponding wheels that move along a corresponding set of parallel spaced tracks to provide a plurality of chassis seat along the width of the cargo hold for each set of parallel spaced tracks within each tier. Each chassis seat is equipped to hold a standardized cargo container. In addition, each set of parallel spaced tracks has an empty space of one chassis seat width. With this arrangement, at least one chassis seat may be moved along the corresponding set of parallel spaced tracks so that a standardized cargo container may be stored at or retrieved from any chassis seat position within any tier of the cargo hold of the vessel.