Abstract: A vibration wave motor for generating a travelling vibration wave in a vibration member by applying a periodic voltage to an electro-mechanical energy transducer. An anti-movement device is provided to contact the vibration member at a pitch not equal to a multiple of n.lambda./2, where n is an integer and .lambda. is the wavelength of a vibration wave so that the vibration member is prevented from rotating without reducing the drive efficiency of the motor.

Abstract: Apparatus for transporting articles, the articles being positioned on bar-like members which in turn are caused to bend periodically in a wave pattern. The periodic bending is controlled to produce a driving force on the articles in a predetermined direction.

Abstract: A vibration wave motor has a circular vibration member for generating a travelling vibration wave in response to application of a periodic voltage to phase-differentially arranged or polarized electro-mechanical energy transducers. A movable member is frictionally driven by the travelling vibration wave. A ring-shaped circular vibration absorption member is provided for absorbing vibration of the vibration member. The vibration absorption member has an outer diameter smaller than an outer diameter of the vibration member so as not to absorb energy at the outer circumference of the vibration member.

Abstract: A vibration wave motor for driving a moving member contacting a vibration member, to which an electro-mechanical energy transducer element is bonded, by a travelling vibration wave generated in the vibration member, wherein the moving and vibration members contact each other through a plurality of contact points.

Abstract: A vibration wave motor includes circular shape vibration part having a helical stepped portion inside or outside thereof; a unit, coupled to said vibration part for causing the vibration part to generate a travelling vibration wave propagating along a circumferential direction of the vibration part; and a movable part having a stepped portion threadably engaged with the helical stepped portion, the movable part being frictionally driven by the travelling vibration wave generated by the vibration part.

Abstract: A vibration wave motor has a movable member divided into a plurality of sections in a direction of movement. Opposite ends of press-contact areas of the divided sections of the movable member to a vibration member are supported by a support member. The press-contact areas have a smaller rigidity than that of the support member.

Abstract: A vibration wave motor is driven at a high efficiency by arranging a contact area of a movable member which contacts a vibration member such that a displacement locus in the contact area is essentially coincident with a vibration locus in the vibration member.

Abstract: A vibration wave motor uses electrostrictive vibrator elements itself as a vibration member, and the rotor of the motor is driven by contacting the electrostrictive vibrator to the rotor.

Abstract: An optical system for making an annular beam comprises a first member supporting a convex reflecting surface for reflecting an incident beam and having a first tapered surface, and a second member having a second tapered surface bearing against the first tapered surface and supporting a concave reflecting surface in a predetermined positional relation relative to the convex reflecting surface so as to reflect the beam reflected by the convex reflecting surface and make it into an annular beam.

Abstract: In a vibration wave motor for driving a movable member contacting a vibration member by a travelling vibration wave generated in the vibration member attached to electrostrictive elements, by applying a periodic voltage to the electrostrictive elements. The vibration member is of two-plate structure having a non-uniform elastic modulus in the direction of amplitude of the travelling vibration wave.

Abstract: In a vibration wave motor for driving a movable member contacting a vibration member, a travelling vibration wave is generated in the vibration member by electrostrictive elements, applying a periodic voltage to the elements. The vibration member is divided into a number of projections on at least a surface facing the movable member.

Abstract: An optical output device comprising a deflector having an electrooptic crystal element provided with an electrode and controlling an electric field applied to the electrode to vary the deflection angle of a light beam passing through the crystal and projecting the beam upon a predetermined position on a recording medium and separating the reflected light from the recording medium from the light beam or/and a variable focal length lens consisting of an electrooptic crystal and which uses a condenser for controlling the focal length of the lens by an electric field applied to the crystal and focusing the light beam to the recording medium, thereby reducing the number of mechanically movable parts of the device.