Abstract: A shock wave sterilizer for sterilizing a fluid medium, such as food, by having the fluid medium in an elastic container impacted by shock waves and expansion waves emitted from a shock wave source formed by a source of electric current discharging through an electrical conductor to vaporize the electrical conductor to produce a shock wave that is transmitted through a pressure transfer medium to the container and the fluid medium therein.

Abstract: This invention relates to a running control apparatus and method for calculating the running positions and directions of the automatic guided vehicle in response to detected outputs of the magnetic field intensity of magnets arranged at fixed points on the running course in two-dimension by being detected for several times at a predetermined timing by a plurality of magnetic detecting elements which are aligned in a direction intersecting the moving direction of the vehicle, correcting said running positions and directions, and controlling the automatic guided vehicle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting the traveling position and direction of an unmanned vehicle of an autonomous guidance system, wherein pairs of marks are provided along a course on which the unmanned vehicle is to travel and disposed perpendicularly to the course respectively, and at the unmanned vehicle are provided sensors which can detect the marks and specify the relative positions of the marks with reference to the traverse direction of the vehicle body, thereby obtaining the traveling position and/or direction of the vehicle by the relative positions of each pair of marks and a time difference between the time points when either of the marks and another mark being detected respectively or a travel distance between the time points in time. Hence, the traveling position and direction can be accurately and rapidly detected and a shift of the vehicle from the guide course can be quickly eliminated.

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel guiding method for autonomous traveling vehicle in which the number of the rotation of wheels mounted on both the right and left sides are individually detected when guiding the vehicle along the predetermined route by independently controlling the rotation of the wheels mounted on both the right and left sides, and then based on the number of the rotation of these wheels, the position and the azimuth of the vehicle are computed. Then, based on the computed position and the azimuth of the vehicle by referring to the predetermined route, the target position is set, and then, by the vehicle is made to travel toward the set target position. Setting the target positions and making the vehicle travel toward the target position are repeated so that the autonomous vehicle is guided to the route having been set. When marks are detected during the travel, fixed point correction in reference to the detected marks is executed.

Abstract: A method for detecting a liquid level is monitored at mutually opposing sides of a liquid containing bottle. For monitoring the liquid level at each side of the bottle, a diffused light beam is irradiated toward the liquid surface from a level below the liquid surface. The light reflected at the liquid surface and the light refracted at the liquid surface are detected by a photo-receiving camera which is focused at a standard liquid level. An average value of the monitored liquid levels at both sides is taken as a liquid level indicative value. By employing the aforemention method, accurate detection of the liquid level becomes possible even when the liquid level is unstable.

Abstract: Conveyor load transfer apparatus, including a follow-up carriage movable in the direction in which a conveyor moves and driven by a double-acting cylinder. A transverse carriage is supported on the follow-up carriage and is movable perpendicular to the running direction of the conveyor, being driven back and forth by a transverse motor mounted on the follow-up carriage. An article-handling segment, driven up and down by an elevation drive source, is mounted on the transverse carriage. A follow-up detector is mounted on the follow-up carriage to generate deviation signals representing relative positions of the follow-up carriage and an article-supporting device of the conveyor. A double-acting cylinder expands and contracts according to the motion of the follow-up carriage, and is connected to a pressure-compensating solenoid flow-rate regulating valve with a check valve connected between the two ports thereof.