Intersections with thermal expansion joints for rail-based grids

Abstract

The present invention relates to an intersection for a grid-based rail system of an automated storage and retrieval system, the intersection comprising a first rail extending in a first direction (X) and a second rail extending in a second direction (Y) perpendicular to the first direction (X), the first and second rails engaging each other to form an intersection, at least one track of the first rail intersecting a path of at least one track of the second rail, at least one of the first and second rails being provided as a pair of rail sections arranged end-to-end in the rail longitudinal direction, ends of the rail sections meeting at a central portion of the intersection, the rail sections being configured to allow a range of movement of one end relative to the other end in the rail longitudinal direction to provide a thermal expansion joint for the rails disposed within a volume of the intersection defined by the engagement of the first and second rails.

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