Abstract: The oscillation actuator of the invention uses ultrasonic vibrations generated in a stator to rotate a rotor, and a pre-load member causes a 30 MPa contact pressure between the rotor and the stator. Furthermore, a supply body impregnated with oil is provided inside a recess section in the stator, such that the contact section between the rotor and the stator is lubricated by oil supplied from the supply body. As the oil with which the supply body is impregnated, a fluorine-based oil having a kinetic viscosity at 40° C. of VG 400 according to the ISO viscosity classification is selected.

Abstract: A rotor 2 of an ultrasonic motor 1 is pressed to make contact with a pair of supporting parts 11, 12 of a stator 3. Contact surfaces 21, 22 are formed respectively following the shape of an outer circumferential surface 2b of the rotor 2, in the upper portions of the supporting parts 11, 12. Since different level sections 23, 25 are formed in the contact surface 21, and different level sections 24, 25 are also formed in the contact surface 22, the contact distance between the rotor 2 and the stator 3 is limited.

Abstract: A vibration actuator includes a roller, a vibrating element having a contact portion that is in contact with the roller, a vibrator for vibrating the vibrating element, a pressing device for pressing the roller against the vibrating element, and a lubricator disposed close to the contact portion and in contact with the roller.

Abstract: A vibration actuator includes a roller, a vibrating element having a contact portion that is in contact with the roller, a vibrator for vibrating the vibrating element, a pressing device for pressing the roller against the vibrating element, and a lubricator disposed close to the contact portion and in contact with the roller.

Abstract: It is an subject of the present invention to provide a vibration actuator in which a plurality of rotors can be driven by a single vibration unit. When a composite vibrator (2) is driven to generate a composite vibration combining a plurality of vibrations, a first stator (3) and a second stator (4) vibrate, thereby causing elliptical movements in corner portions (8) and (9) of the first stator (3) and the second stator (4), respectively. As a result, a first rotor (A) abutting onto and pressurized against the corner portion (8) of the first stator (3) and a second rotor (B) abutting onto and pressurized against the corner portion (9) of the second stator (4) are rotated at the same time. Further, in this case, by selecting vibration modes of the plurality of vibrations constituting the composite vibration, the two rotors (A) and (B) can be rotated in the same direction or in opposite directions with respect to each other.

Abstract: Provided is an ultrasonic motor capable of realizing high torque. When two terminals are selected from a first terminal (31t), a second terminal (32t), and a third terminal (33t) of a vibrator (3), and AC voltages whose phases are shifted by 90 degrees relative to each other are respectively applied through both of those two terminals, vibration is generated in the stator vibration body (S), and elliptical vibration in a plane corresponding to the selected two terminals is generated at each of a step (9) of a first stator (2) and a corner (11) of a second stator (10), which are in contact with a rotor (6). Since the first stator (2) and the second stator (10) form the single stator vibration body (S), the step (9) of the first stator (2) and the corner (11) of the second stator (10) vibrate in the same vibration mode, rotational force is transmitted from both the step (9) of the first stator (2) and the corner (11) of the second stator (10), and the rotor (6) rotates with high torque.

Abstract: Provided is a vibration actuator in which a plurality of rotors can be driven by a single vibration unit. Two rotors (A) and (B) are attracted toward corresponding stators to be contacted with and pressurized against the corresponding stators (3) and (4), respectively, through a tension of a wire member (8). A composite vibration combining a plurality of vibrations is generated by a composite vibrator (2) to cause elliptical movements in corner portions of the stators (3) and (4). As a result, the two rotors (A) and (B) abutting onto and pressurized against the two stators (3) and (4) are rotated about rotation centers (C1) and (C2) thereof, respectively, at the same time.

Abstract: Provided is a vibration actuator in which a plurality of rotors can be driven by a single vibration unit. Two rotors (A) and (B) are attracted toward corresponding stators to be contacted with and pressurized against the corresponding stators (3) and (4), respectively, through a tension of a wire member (8). A composite vibration combining a plurality of vibrations is generated by a composite vibrator (2) to cause elliptical movements in corner portions of the stators (3) and (4). As a result, the two rotors (A) and (B) abutting onto and pressurized against the two stators (3) and (4) are rotated about rotation centers (C1) and (C2) thereof, respectively, at the same time.

Abstract: It is an subject of the present invention to provide a vibration actuator in which a plurality of rotors can be driven by a single vibration unit. When a composite vibrator (2) is driven to generate a composite vibration combining a plurality of vibrations, a first stator (3) and a second stator (4) vibrate, thereby causing elliptical movements in corner portions (8) and (9) of the first stator (3) and the second stator (4), respectively. As a result, a first rotor (A) abutting onto and pressurized against the corner portion (8) of the first stator (3) and a second rotor (B) abutting onto and pressurized against the corner portion (9) of the second stator (4) are rotated at the same time. Further, in this case, by selecting vibration modes of the plurality of vibrations constituting the composite vibration, the two rotors (A) and (B) can be rotated in the same direction or in opposite directions with respect to each other.

Abstract: Provided is an ultrasonic motor capable of realizing high torque. When two terminals are selected from a first terminal (31t), a second terminal (32t), and a third terminal (33t) of a vibrator (3), and AC voltages whose phases are shifted by 90 degrees relative to each other are respectively applied through both of those two terminals, vibration is generated in the stator vibration body (S), and elliptical vibration in a plane corresponding to the selected two terminals is generated at each of a step (9) of a first stator (2) and a corner (11) of a second stator (10), which are in contact with a rotor (6). Since the first stator (2) and the second stator (10) form the single stator vibration body (S), the step (9) of the first stator (2) and the corner (11) of the second stator (10) vibrate in the same vibration mode, rotational force is transmitted from both the step (9) of the first stator (2) and the corner (11) of the second stator (10), and the rotor (6) rotates with high torque.

Abstract: A vibrating transducer is coupled to one end of an elongated vibrating plate and a receiving transducer is coupled to the other end of the vibrating plate. Langevin transducers are used for the vibrating and receiving transducers. Each transducer includes a pair of annular piezoelectric elements. The vibrating transducer is connected to an oscillator. A controller controls the oscillator. Detection signals of a voltage sensor, which detects the vibrating state of the receiving side of the vibrating plate, are fed back to the controller. The controller controls the oscillator such that the phase difference between the vibration of the vibrating side and the receiving side is within a predetermined range and that the receiving side is vibrated by amplitude greater than or equal to a predetermined amplitude.

Abstract: A non-contact electric power supply system for a rail-guided vehicle includes a main line having fixed rails for guiding the vehicle. A movable rail body is provided for changing the course of the vehicle moving along the main line. A first high frequency power supply apparatus supplies electric power to the main line along an electric feed line. A second high frequency power supply apparatus supplies electric power to the movable rail body along an electric feed line. Portions of the electric feed line on the movable rail body may be fixed in place.

Abstract: An apparatus levitates and transports an object. The apparatus levitates the object above the surfaces of a plurality of vibrators by air pressure of sound waves that are generated by the vibrators. The apparatus has a plurality of vibration devices, each of which corresponds to one of the vibrators. Each vibration device includes a first transducer for vibrating the corresponding vibrator. Each transducer includes a super-magnetostrictive material. A common power source is connected to at least two of the first transducers for actuating the first transducers.

Abstract: An apparatus for levitating objects has an elongated diaphragm and a transducer. The diaphragm has a first end portion and a second end portion. The first end portion is fixed to a horn and the second end portion is fixed to a supporting member. The transducer is connected to only the horn. The transducer vibrates the diaphragm and an object is levitated above a surface of the diaphragm by radiation pressure of a sound wave generated from the diaphragm. Therefore, the elongated diaphragm can be vibrated by one transducer in a stable condition with a simple structure.

Abstract: An apparatus for levitating and transporting an object includes a pair of elongated vibrators, a pair of oscillators and a pair of flection limiting rods. Each oscillator includes a horn and a transducer and corresponds to one of the vibrators. Each transducer vibrates the corresponding vibrator through the corresponding horn to generate sound waves from the vibrator. The object is levitated by radiation pressure of the sound waves. Each flection limiting rod corresponds to one of the vibrators. Each rod contacts the lower surface of the corresponding vibrator at a position where the displacement due to vibration is relatively small and reduces the flection of the vibrator due to the weight of the vibrator and the weight of the transported object.

Abstract: A method of controlling an object levitating apparatus is disclosed. The levitating apparatus levitates an object on a plurality of vibrating bodies with air pressure generated from sound waves produced by the vibrating bodies. Each vibrating body is vibrated by a corresponding vibrating apparatus. Each vibrating apparatus has an oscillator and a transducer. The transducer is actuated by the oscillator to vibrate the corresponding vibrating body. The method includes determining impedance of each transducer, and controlling each oscillator in accordance with the determined impedance to restrict displacement of the levitated object.

Abstract: A method for transferring an object levitated by sound waves from a transporting device to an unloading device. The transporting device includes a transporting vibrator, which levitates the object with sound waves. The unloading device includes an unloading vibrator mounted on a platform. The platform is arranged at a predetermined position below the object, at which the distance between the top surface of the unloading vibrator and the bottom surface of the object is less than one half the wavelength of a standing wave generated by the unloading vibrator. The platform is then moved upward toward the object from the predetermined position to levitate the object. The unloading vibrator generates sound waves to levitate the object. The object is then levitated by the platform to a position at which the levitating force of the transporting vibrator does not affect the object.

Abstract: A vibrating transducer is coupled to one end of an elongated vibrating plate and a receiving transducer is coupled to the other end of the vibrating plate. Langevin transducers are used for the vibrating and receiving transducers. Each transducer includes a pair of annular piezoelectric elements. The vibrating transducer is connected to an oscillator. A controller controls the oscillator. Detection signals of a voltage sensor, which detects the vibrating state of the receiving side of the vibrating plate, are fed back to the controller. The controller controls the oscillator such that the phase difference between the vibration of the vibrating side and the receiving side is within a predetermined range and that the receiving side is vibrated by amplitude greater than or equal to a predetermined amplitude.

Abstract: An apparatus for levitating objects has an elongated diaphragm and a transducer. The diaphragm has a first end portion and a second end portion. The first end portion is fixed to a horn and the second end portion is fixed to a supporting member. The transducer is connected to only the horn. The transducer vibrates the diaphragm and an object is levitated above a surface of the diaphragm by radiation pressure of a sound wave generated from the diaphragm. Therefore, the elongated diaphragm can be vibrated by one transducer in a stable condition with a simple structure.

Abstract: An apparatus for levitating and transporting an object includes a pair of elongated vibrators, a pair of oscillators and a pair of flection limiting rods. Each oscillator includes a horn and a transducer and corresponds to one of the vibrators. Each transducer vibrates the corresponding vibrator through the corresponding horn to generate sound waves from the vibrator. The object is levitated by radiation pressure of the sound waves. Each flection limiting rod corresponds to one of the vibrators. Each rod contacts the lower surface of the corresponding vibrator at a position where the displacement due to vibration is relatively small and reduces the flection of the vibrator due to the weight of the vibrator and the weight of the transported object.