Abstract: A storage system includes an overhead stocker having a first overhead track, a rack including a plurality of storages arranged vertically, and a crane that travels along the first overhead track and delivers and receives an article to and from the storages; and an overhead transport vehicle system having a second overhead track provided below a lower end of the overhead stocker, and an overhead transport vehicle that travels along the second overhead track and delivers and receives an article to and from a predetermined transfer destination, wherein the first overhead track has an elevating track capable of supporting and lowering the crane that is stopped traveling at a portion deviated from the second overhead track in planar view.

Abstract: A device for mounting and/or dismantling staves on/from an inner wall of a shaft furnace, the device including a circular monorail for supporting at least one stave positioning hoist, where the monorail is divided into at least four separate arc portions, where each arc portion is connected to a neighboring arc portion by means of a rotatable connection, the arc portions are moveable between an unfolded position, in which the arc portions form a circular monorail, and a folded position, in which the overall size of the monorail is, in one direction, reduced.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for cleaning the interiors of tubes in heat exchangers such as condensers and other devices having numerous substantially parallel tubes which periodically become fouled, scaled, or otherwise encumbered with deposits. An air-actuated seal resides on the end of a nozzle which is projected into the open end of a condenser tube or other heat exchanger tube to be cleaned. An air cylinder and piston retract the end of the nozzle on actuation of a single trigger valve on a manually operated water gun, which both begins high pressure water flow and operates the piston. On actuation of the trigger valve, the segment of the nozzle which has been inserted is retracted a short distance, crimping a flexible sleeve which surrounds it into a tight seal on the inner surface of the tube, thus preventing backflow or back spray.

Abstract: An overhead transport vehicle travels along a travel rail and conveys a FOUP including a removable lid in a suspended state. The overhead transport vehicle includes a holder to grip the FOUP with the lid oriented in a width direction crossing the traveling direction, a pair of frames provided at the front and the back in the traveling direction relative to the holder, and a first lid drop-preventing member pivotable along a horizontal plane about a pivot shaft in the vertical direction, between an advanced position in front of the lid and a retracted position at a position retracted from the front of the lid.

Abstract: An improved slider for use with a parachute, particularly a ram-air type parachute, is provided. The slider includes a generally rectangular piece of material having grommets in the corners through which the suspension lines of the parachute run. At least one retaining structure is attached to or made in the slider material for securing one or more stiffening elements. The stiffening elements are flexible enough to allow for the packing of the parachute, but stiff enough to keep the material of the slider spread open in the fore/aft direction across the short axis of the slider and thereby prevent the slider from folding and flapping once the canopy has opened.

Abstract: A payload retrieval apparatus including an extending member having an upper end and a lower end, a channel having a first end and a second end, the channel coupled to the extending member, a first tether engager that extends in a first direction from the first end of the channel section, and a payload holder positioned near the second end of the channel and is adapted to secure a payload.

Abstract: A hoisting system is disclosed including a moveable sheave coupled to a well support structure, the moveable sheave slideable along the well support structure and relative to a fixed sheave to laterally move a hoisting line relative to a well center. The hoisting system may include a second moveable sheave such that a second hoisting line may be laterally moved to various locations including a second well center or the same well center as the first hoisting line.

Abstract: A transport device is capable of reliably determining a presence or absence of a lid provided on a container and/or determining detachment of the lid, with a simple configuration. The transport device transports a container that includes a lid on a side surface. The transport device includes a lid fall preventive member disposed so as to face an upper end of the lid of the container located in a transport position, and a lid detector that is disposed in the lid fall preventive member and detects the presence or absence of the upper end of the lid.

Abstract: A compact manufacturing device to automatically transport a wafer transport container. The compact manufacturing device comprises a processing chamber and a device front chamber provided inside a housing, a container mounting table provided in the housing to mount a substrate transport container accommodating a processing substrate, and a container transport mechanism. The container transport mechanism delivers the substrate transport container to the adjacent compact manufacturing device along a container transport path and/or receives the substrate transport container from adjacent compact manufacturing device along the container transport path when a plurality of the compact manufacturing devices are provided in parallel.

Abstract: A robot of the invention can be moved by a carrying apparatus, and in which a period between a settling start time and a settling end time of the robot overlaps with at least a part of a period between a settling start time and a settling end time of the carrying apparatus. Further, the settling start time of one having a shorter settling time of the robot and the carrying apparatus is later than the settling start time of the other having a longer settling time of the robot and the carrying apparatus or the same as the settling start time of the other having the longer settling time.

Abstract: A winch system for controlling the elevation of an aerostats restrained by a cable is provided. The system includes a capstan arrangement configured for reducing the tension in a segment of a cable extending between an aerostats side and a drum side thereof; a spool drum configured for wrapping therearound a segment of the cable extending from the drum side of the capstan arrangement; a first drive mechanism configured to selectively activate the capstan arrangement in a released mode, in which the cable is let out towards the aerostats, and a pulling mode in which the cable is pulled in towards the spool drum; and a second drive mechanism configured to rotate the spool drum in the released mode and in the pulling mode such that the segment of the cable extending from the drum side of the capstan arrangement is pulled in a counter direction to the direction of the tension exerted on the cable.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide for a guided lift system utilized for maneuvering payloads. According to aspects of the disclosure, a guided lift system may include a lift unit attached to a payload, at least two control tethers attached to the lift unit, and at least two control units fixed in positions and capable of adjusting the lengths of the control tethers. Coordinated length adjustments of the control tethers pulls the lift unit and payload in a desired direction to a desired delivery location.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sea container that can be closed on all sides, comprising a base frame, which has four corner posts, a top-side frame, and a bottom-side frame construction, wherein the corner posts are rigidly connected to the top-side frame and to the bottom-side frame construction. The bottom-side frame construction has a bearing frame, wherein installations in the container are fastened to the bearing frame and the bearing frame has tie-down means for tying down and for absorbing forces acting horizontally. Thus the invention makes it possible to accommodate installations such as a deploying device for a trailling antenna in a sea container even though traditional sea containers are unsuitable therefor.

Abstract: An overhead transport carriage 1 comprises a body 4 containing an object 30 and traveling along a traveling rail 3, a lifting mechanism 6 including a holding unit 8 holding the object 30 and a lifting unit 7 moving the unit 8 up and down with respect to a predetermined position P at which the object 30 is contained, an anti lid-dropping-off member 20 facing a lid 31 of the object 30 when the unit 8 is located at the position P, and a moving mechanism. The mechanism 10 moves the member 20 in response to the motion of the unit 8 so that the member 20 is located at an anti dropping-off position when the unit 8 is located at the position P, and the member 20 is located at the escape position when the unit 8 moves with respect to the position P.

Abstract: Universal component lift apparatus for moving components of electronic device manufacturing systems is described. The universal component lift apparatus includes a track, a truck moveable along the track, and a lift apparatus adapted to couple to the truck, the lift apparatus including a wheeled base, a lift portion, and a boom adapted to couple to the component. Electronic device processing systems and methods of moving components thereof are described, as are numerous other aspects.

Abstract: The invention relates to a crane, particularly a bridge crane or gantry crane, including at least one crane girder extending horizontally and designed as a truss with a plurality of braces, on which girder a crane trolley with a lifting gear is movable. At least some of the braces have a flat shape. The flat-shaped braces each have a flat main surface that extends in each case transversely to a longitudinal direction of the crane girder.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates, according to some embodiments, to roll lifting assemblies, systems, and methods for lifting, handling, and/or maneuvering rolled material. According to some embodiments, a roll lifting system may be configured to move a single roll and/or to concurrently move two or more rolls. For example, a roll lifting system may comprise a translocation apparatus and/or a lift assembly.

Abstract: A storage (10) is provided with a supporting portion (11) capable of supporting a load (3), a horizontal driving portion (13) capable of moving said supporting portion back and forth in a horizontal one direction, a vertical driving portion (14) capable of moving said supporting portion back and forth in a vertical direction, and a rack (15) having a plurality of putting surfaces, each being capable of transferring said load mutually with said supporting portion, said putting surfaces being disposed at a plurality of stages in the vertical direction to each of which said supporting portion can access by said horizontal driving portion, one or more than one of said putting surfaces being disposed at a horizontal position to which said supporting portion can access by said horizontal driving portion. At least one of said putting surfaces functions as a port for unloading and loading said load.

Abstract: An overhead transport carriage 1 comprises a body 4 containing an object 30 and traveling along a traveling rail 3, a lifting mechanism 6 including a holding unit 8 holding the object 30 and a lifting unit 7 moving the unit 8 up and down with respect to a predetermined position P at which the object 30 is contained, an anti lid-dropping-off member 20 facing a lid 31 of the object 30 when the unit 8 is located at the position P, and a moving mechanism. The mechanism 10 moves the member 20 in response to the motion of the unit 8 so that the member 20 is located at an anti dropping-off position when the unit 8 is located at the position P, and the member 20 is located at the escape position when the unit 8 moves with respect to the position P.

Abstract: Various embodiments include a service apparatus for a turbomachine. The service apparatus can include: a frame for coupling to an opening in the turbomachine; a bridge member operably coupled to the frame and spanning a width of the frame, the bridge member being substantially movable along a length of the frame; and a crane member operably coupled to the bridge member, the crane member being substantially movable along the width of the frame, wherein the crane member includes at least one attachment device for attaching to an object within the turbomachine.

Abstract: A loading device for containers, which is provided with a travel carriage, which can move on a rail. Furthermore, there are two load handling devices which are assigned to the travel carriage, and which are kept fixed to the travel carriage with the help of the supporting cables. Each of the load handling devices can be raised or lowered, and the two load handling devices can be coupled mechanically with each other. A distance sensor is assigned to each of the load handling devices, with which the distance of the load handling devices from the travel carriage can be determined.

Abstract: A crane comprising a laterally projecting crane jib on which a hoisting device is arranged and which is connected to at least one carrier body, which, together with the crane jib, can travel along an upper guide rail and a lower guide rail by way of traveling gears, wherein in each case the upper and the lower guide rails, and correspondingly, the traveling gears, are arranged spaced vertically from one another. In order to provide a crane comprising a laterally projecting crane jib, in particular a bracket crane or a traveling crane, the manufacture, transport and installation of which are optimized, according to the invention the at least one carrier body is designed as one component and connecting surfaces are arranged on said carrier body, to which a respective traveling gear and the crane jib can be detachably fastened.

Abstract: A tilting carrier assembly for a finishing process includes a load bar configured to convey a work piece relative to a work station. A skid is configured to receive the work piece. Each of a pair of links is pivotally coupled to the load bar at a first end and pivotally coupled to the skid at an opposite second end. A horizontal span between the first ends of the pair of links is substantially greater than a horizontal span between the second ends of the pair of links.

Abstract: A hoist apparatus includes a traveling portion disposed to travel along a transfer path, a rotation portion installed at the traveling portion to rotate with respect to the traveling portion, an ascending and descending portion to ascend or descend with respect to the rotation portion and for loading an object, and an object support member installed at the traveling portion, having an accommodation space to accommodate the object, and including at least one object support portion disposed at one side of the object support member and having a shape corresponding to the object so as to support the object rotated by the rotation portion.

Abstract: An assembly method is capable of assembling a transfer mechanism which transfers a target and includes a pick unit for holding the target, a slide unit for sliding the pick unit and a drive unit for driving the slide unit. The assembly method includes installing a lifting mechanism for lifting the units at a ceiling portion of a transfer chamber where the transfer mechanism is accommodated; and assembling the units loaded into the transfer chamber inside the transfer chamber by using the lifting mechanism.

Abstract: A tower crane load location determiner is disclosed. One example includes a load location measurer to provide load location measurement information for a load coupled with a tower crane. In addition, a load position determiner utilizes the load location measurement information to determine a location of the load. A user accessible load location provider provides the determined location of the load.

Abstract: A learning control device performs a positioning process, a first image capturing process, and a first deviation amount calculating process in which a reference position deviation amount in the horizontal direction between the imaging reference position and a detection mark is derived based on image information captured in the first image capturing process to derive a position adjustment amount from the derived reference position deviation amount, and the learning control device further includes a positioning correcting process in which the position adjustment device is operated to adjust a position of the second learn assist member based on the derived movement adjustment amount when the reference position deviation amount derived in the first deviation amount calculating process falls outside a set tolerance range. A second image capturing process, and a second deviation amount calculating process may be further provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for picking and placing a layer of product, comprising: a frame, the frame movable from a first position above and clear of the layer of product to a second position over and enclosing the layer of product; paddles mounted on internal sides of the frame, each paddle moveable from a first position in which the paddle is clear of the layer of product to a second position in which the paddle engages and grips a respective side of the layer of product by applying mechanical force thereto; a vacuum duct mounted in the frame over the layer of product, the vacuum duct moveable from a first position in which the vacuum duct is clear of the layer of product to a second position in which the vacuum duct engages and grips a top of the layer of product by applying vacuum force thereto; and, a control system adapted to selectively control respective mechanisms for positioning of the frame, paddles, and vacuum duct to thereby pick and place the layer of product.

Abstract: A cooling system, a motor handling system, and a method of positioning a motor in a cooling system are disclosed. The motor handling system includes a suspension feature configured to engage a support member, the support member positioned partially below a cooler. The motor handling system permits positioning of a motor in a first position and re-positioning of the motor to a second position. The cooling system includes a cooler, a support member positioned partially below the cooler, and a motor handling system. The method of positioning includes engaging a support member of a cooling system with a suspension feature, positioning the motor at a first position, and re-positioning the motor at a second position.

Abstract: A method of operating an overhead hoist transport system is provided. A control unit, a plurality of vehicles and a load port are provided. The vehicles are connected to the control unit. At least one vehicle includes an image capture unit. Next, a teaching step is performed by using the image capture unit to pick up an image of the load port. The image is then transferred to the control unit. According to the image of the load port, the control unit determines the position of the load port and drives each vehicle to unload or load at least one article from the load port.

Abstract: A ceiling transport vehicle in which articles may be transferred precisely while allowing its travel portion to travel smoothly along a set travel path is provided. The ceiling transport vehicle has a pair of guiding bodies which guide the travel portion along a set travel path by contacting each of right and left lateral sides of a guide rail with a pair of contacting members that are supported by the travel portion such that the contacting members can be moved away from each other and moved toward each other in a lateral width direction. The ceiling transport vehicle also has a switching portion for moving each of the pair of contacting members away from each other and toward each other to switch between a holding state and a holding release state.

Abstract: An article transport device having a housing space for housing an article retained by an article-retaining unit located in a raised position, is formed in a moving body of the article transport device, and an aperture for allowing the article-retaining unit to be raised and lowered between the raised position and a lowered position, is formed in the lower-end part of the housing space. The article transport device further comprising purified air ventilation means for ventilating purified air through an air purification filter, an opening/closing element capable of changing positions to an open position for opening the aperture and a closed position for blocking the aperture by pivoting around a lateral axis, and opening and closing control means for positioning the opening/closing element in the open position in a case in which the article-retaining unit is raised or lowered between the raised position and the lowered position.

Abstract: The gantry system (10) includes jack legs (12) and header beams (14). The load may be supported on a metal chain (20) comprising of a plurality of metal links (24). Each link has a stop surface (28) for engaging a support plate (30) laterally movable with respect to support structure (18).

Abstract: The invention provides a container crane comprising a frame having a trolley rail along which a trolley travels; said trolley supporting a twin spreader assembly for engaging one or more containers, and; a docking station mounted to said frame; wherein said trolley is arranged to move said twin spreader assembly to the docking station and be placed therein.

Abstract: A gripper device for a transport vehicle includes a base plate, a guide rail provided on an upper surface of the base plate, a pair of guide blocks arranged to be movable in a substantially horizontal direction toward and away from each other along the guide rail, and a pair of gripping parts. Each of the gripping parts includes a horizontal portion fixed to an upper surface of one of the guide blocks and arranged to extend substantially parallel to the upper surface of the base plate, a vertical portion arranged to extend downward from the horizontal portion to a position lower than that of the base plate, and a claw section provided on a lower end of the vertical portion and arranged to grip an object.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a precast coping lifting system, and more particularly to, a lifting system for lifting precast coping composed of a main segment and a subsegment, characterized in comprising: a hoist crane for installing a horizontal support on the top of the main segment and forming a pair of carriers on the horizontal support; a plurality of clamps for being installed on the top of the horizontal support of the hoist crane, being moved by the carrier of the hoist crane and fixing the subsegment to the top of the horizontal support; and work vehicle for being installed on the horizontal support of the hoist crane and being moved by self power along the horizontal support.

Abstract: In a glassware forming machine, a mold is moved to and from a work position by a device having a supporting structure connected to an overhead frame of the machine; a gripping head for engaging the mold; a cable transmission having a cable operated by a winch and connected to the gripping head to move the gripping head to and from the supporting structure in a substantially vertical direction; and a powered articulated arm connected to the gripping head and to the supporting structure to exert substantially horizontal forces on the gripping head.

Abstract: A device for suspending a rail of an overhead conveyor or a hoisting machine from a traversing gear or supporting structure includes a tension element, which carries the rail by one end via a fixing device. The fixing device grasps a support element of the rail. The support element widens and extends at least partly in the lengthwise direction of the rail. To provide a device for suspending a rail that provides enhanced safety against collapse, the fixing device includes two fixing parts, which are connected like pliers by means of a bolt running in the lengthwise direction of the rail. The fixing parts swivel toward each other from the open position into the fixing position by their fixing regions. The support element of the rail rests against the bearing surfaces of the fixing parts, even in the open position, when the fastening means are released.

Abstract: A gantry crane (10) is configured in a panel turner application. The gantry crane (10) generally includes a gantry crane structure (14) having a first cross-beam (28) and a second cross-beam (30). A first main hoist mechanism (40) and a first auxiliary hoist mechanism (42) are coupled to the first cross-beam (28), and a second main hoist mechanism (44) and a second auxiliary hoist mechanism (46) are coupled to the second cross-beam (30). The crane (10) includes a hydraulic system configured to reduce the lift capacity of the first and/or second main hoist mechanism (40, 44), and to equalize the hoist capacity between the first and second main hoist mechanisms (40, 44) or the first and second auxiliary hoist mechanisms (42, 46) in certain applications. The auxiliary hoist mechanism (42, 46) are configured for powered movement along the respective cross-beams (28, 30).

Abstract: A method for controlling a hoisting or lowering movement of a load, which is suspended from a hoisting mechanism of a crane by means of at least two hoisting cables trained round cable sheaves on the load, by monitoring the position of the load and braking and/or stopping the hoisting mechanism upon detection of an undesirable position, wherein the cable sheaves are each connected to the load for pivoting about a horizontal axis, and the position of the load is monitored by detecting a pivoting movement of at least one of the cable sheaves.

Abstract: A hoist combination includes a hoist, a trolley that is arranged to move along a beam provided with side flanges, whereby the trolley includes two trolley flanges arranged on opposite sides of the beam and provided with wheels, by which the trolley moves along the side flanges of the beam; and a securing and adjusting device for securing the hoist to the trolley flanges beneath the beam and for adjusting the mutual distance between the trolley flanges, the securing and adjusting device including supporting slide coupling between the hoist and the trolley flanges and an adjustment bar connected between the trolley flanges, the sliding direction of the adjustment bar and the slide coupling being transverse to the beam.

Abstract: An overhead conveying vehicle is arranged to contain and convey a suspended FOUP including a lid that is removably provided on a side surface thereof. The overhead conveying vehicle includes a conveying vehicle body, a hoist mechanism, a lid drop preventing member, and a power transmitting mechanism. The hoist mechanism is provided at the conveying vehicle body and is arranged to raise and lower the FOUP. The lid drop preventing member is arranged in close proximity to a front surface of the lid. The power transmitting mechanism retracts the lid drop preventing member away from the front surface of the lid when the FOUP is being raised or lowered.

Abstract: An overhead travelling vehicle stores and transports, through a suspended flange, a FOUP having a body, the flange provided on top of the body, and a pair of side flanges projecting laterally from side positions of the body above the bottom of the body. The overhead travelling vehicle is provided with a vehicle body, a pair of article drop preventing members, and a drive mechanism. The pair of article drop preventing members is provided at the vehicle body and is moveable between a drop preventing position under the side flanges and a receding position receding from the drop preventing position. The drive mechanism drives the article drop preventing members.

Abstract: A hoist for a low space crane is disclosed, which comprises a hoist frame in which a load point transferred to a girder is positioned at a vertical surface of one side of the girder, and a balance of a biased load is maintained for thereby decreasing an entire weight of the system, and an equal distribution unit which installed between the hoist frame and the guide rail for absorbing an impact load transferred to the hoist frame and equally distributing the entire vertical load. A buckling phenomenon does not occur at the girder even when a relatively heavy object is transferred by providing the first and second support wheel parts on the first vertical surface of the girder.

Abstract: A personal transfer device for transferring a boater from a dock to a boat moored in a boat lift adjacent the dock, and back again. A cantilevered support is secured to an upper part of the boat lift frame, the support's free end extending out over the dock at a height that does not interfere with normal use of the dock. A hoist carriage, for example a monorail trolley hoist, is movably secured on the cantilever support, and is connected to a transport chair that can be located over the dock at a convenient height for a handicapped boater to seat and/or secure himself. A controller is accessible to the boater seated in the transport chair to raise himself off the dock to a height sufficient to clear any intervening boat lift structures or frame members, and to then transport himself horizontally along the support through the boat lift structure to the boat, where he then lowers himself onto the boat using the controller.

Abstract: A gantry crane (10) is configured in a panel turner application. The gantry crane (10) generally includes a gantry crane structure (14) having a first cross-beam (28) and a second cross-beam (30). A first main hoist mechanism (40) and a first auxiliary hoist mechanism (42) are coupled to the first cross-beam (28), and a second main hoist mechanism (44) and a second auxiliary hoist mechanism (46) are coupled to the second cross-beam (30). The crane (10) includes a hydraulic system configured to reduce the lift capacity of the first and/or second main hoist mechanism (40, 44), and to equalize the hoist capacity between the first and second main hoist mechanisms (40, 44) or the first and second auxiliary hoist mechanisms (42, 46) in certain applications. The auxiliary hoist mechanism (42, 46) are configured for powered movement along the respective cross-beams (28, 30).

Abstract: A suspended platform is provided which can prevent an article from overturning and falling even when a great quake such as an earthquake occurs. The suspended platform according to the present invention is intended for an overhead traveling carriage which transfers an article having an abutting surface facing upward in a transfer direction on a horizontal plane and mounts the article on the suspended platform, the suspended platform including a tilt regulating part positioned, in relation to a receiving part on which the article is mounted, such that the tilt regulating part (i) does not touch the article when the article is transferred and mounted on the suspended platform, (ii) is above the abutting surface of the article when the article is transferred and mounted on the suspended platform, (iii) and regulates, by abutting the mounted article at the abutting surface, the tilt range of the article.

Abstract: A system for reading substrate carriers that includes at least one overhead transport vehicle (OHT) utilizing at least one device for at least one of sensing and/or reading a substrate carrier, and/or wafers arranged therein, when the substrate carrier is proximate the at least one overhead transport vehicle. A method of sensing or reading a substrate carrier includes sensing and/or reading a substrate carrier and/or wafers arranged therein with the overhead transport vehicle.

Abstract: A height sensor 26 and an image recognizing section 28 are installed in a teaching unit 24; the height sensor 26 contacts a pin 30a on a load port 4 to detect the height position of the pin 30a and the image recognizing section 28 recognizes a pin 30c and thus its horizontal plane position. A platform 16 of an overhead travelling carriage 8 grips and lowers the teaching unit 24 toward the load port 4. The height sensor 26 then detects the height of the load port 4. Then, the teaching unit 24 is slightly raised. The horizontal plane position of the pin 30c is recognized and averaged over a time equal to at least the vibration period of the platform 16. As a result, the position of the load port can be accurately taught to the overhead travelling carriage 8 without preparations such as the installation of marks on the load port.

Abstract: A device for suspending a rail, particularly a running rail of an overhead conveyor or of a lifting apparatus, on a traveling mechanism or supporting framework with a traction element, which is fastened at one end to the rail. The traction element is passed through by a bolt, which is fastened to the rail via a fixing device. The traction element consists of a single part and comprises a lower borehole for the bolt and an upper borehole for fastening to the traveling mechanism or to the supporting framework.