Importance

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Abstract

A grid-based rail system of an automated storage and retrieval system includes a crossing. The crossing includes a first rail extending in a first direction and a second rail extending in a second direction which is perpendicular to the first direction. The first and second rails each include at least one track for guiding wheels of a container handling vehicle in a longitudinal direction of the rail. The first and second rails engage one another to form the crossing where the at least one track of the first rail crosses a path of the at least one track of the second rail. The crossing is configured to be supported by an upright member from below. At least one of the first and second rails is provided as a pair of rail sections arranged in an end-to-end manner in the longitudinal direction of said rail. The ends of the rail sections meet in a central portion of the crossing. The rail sections are configured to permit a range of movement of one end relative to the other in the longitudinal direction of the said rail so as to provide a thermal expansion joint for the said rail that is arranged within a volume of the crossing defined by the engagement of the first and second rails.

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First Claim