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: 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: In a non-contacting power supply system for a rail-guided vehicle which can move along a plurality of power supply lines connected to respective power sources and receive a supply of electric power required for moving from the plurality of power supply lines, the rail-guided vehicle comprises a plurality of power receiving cores for receiving a supply of electric power from the plurality of power supply lines. The gaps between the plurality of power supply lines in the portions between the power supply lines are set to be equal to or longer than the length of each of the power receiving cores in the direction of the power supply lines, thereby eliminating the bad influence on the non-contacting power supply system due to the difference between the phases or frequencies of the power sources of the power supply lines.

Abstract: An apparatus for feeding electric power to a movable body in a non-contact manner. Power lines on which electric power is transmitted are laid on a guide rail. The movable body is powered by the electric power from the power lines. A plurality of pick-up coils are positioned in the movable body for generating induced electromotive force as a drive voltage according to the electric power. The plurality of coils generate different voltages. A motor and a controller are connected to the coils. A motor is driven by a high voltage while the controller is driven by a low voltage.

Abstract: A rail is arranged along a predetermined route of a movable body. The movable body is moved by electric power fed through an electric cable wired along the rail. The rail is constituted by a plurality of rail segments. Each segment includes a body having a predetermined length and a channel-like cross section and an electric cable segment supported by the body extending in the axial direction of the body. The electric cable segment is one of a plurality of segments obtained by dividing the electric cable.

Abstract: A communication system for a plurality of carriages that travel along a rail. A power cable extends along the rail. The cable is used to convey electric current that drives the movable bodies and is also used to carry information between the carriages. The carriages communicate with one another by superimposing communication signals on the current flowing through the cable to transmit information and by extracting communication signals from the current flowing through the cable to receive information. A control unit at a fixed station relays communication signals transmitted between different carriages. The control unit receives communication signals, which the carriages transmit, from the cable, amplifies the signals, and returns the signals to the cable. The recipient carriage receives an amplified communication signal from the cable.

Abstract: An antenna unit for a communication system is disclosed. The communication system includes a rail, a separable power transmission line provided along the rail, carriages running along the rail while receiving power from the power transmission line, and a fixed station for establishing communications with the carriages. Communications between the carriages and the fixed station are accomplished by transmitting a signal via the power transmission line. The antenna unit is detachably located in the path of the power transmission line. The antenna unit includes an antenna device serving as a communication antenna of the fixed station and a conductive line to which the antenna device is attached. A terminal connects each end of the conductive line to an associated separate part of the power transmission line so that the conductive line is located between the separate parts of the power transmission line, thus forming a combined power/signal transmission line.

Abstract: A feeder is disposed along a guide rail that guides an electrically powered vehicle. The electrically powered vehicle has an electric power receiving unit that accommodates the feeder. Electric power is supplied from the feeder to the electrically powered vehicle through the electric power receiving unit on a non-contact basis. The distance between the guide rail and the feeder in a straight portion of the guide rail is different from the distance between the guide rail and the feeder in a curved portion of the guide rail.

Abstract: A non-contact power supply system for supplying electric current from a power supply unit to a carriage that travels along a rail. A pair of cables, which are used to convey electric current that drives the carriage, extend along the rail. Each cable has a first end connected to the first end of the other cable and a second end connected to the power supply unit. A plurality of brackets are located on the rail to support both cables. Each bracket has a pair of hangers projecting horizontally. The hangers each have distal ends for supporting the corresponding cables. A first type of bracket supports the first ends of both cables, and a second type of bracket supports the second ends of both cables. A jumper strap electrically connects the first ends to each other. The jumper strap extends between the distal ends of both hangers and conforms to the shape of a portion of the first bracket that lies in its path. The jumper strap is a thin belt.

Abstract: A system for communication between a fixed station and a carriage, which travels along a rail. The system employs a cable used to supply the carriage with electric power and carries out communication by superimposing communication signals on the electric power flowing through the cable. The communication system includes electric power sources and cables. The cables are each connected to one of the power sources and each cable extends along the rail. A single communication antenna is used by at least two of the cables.

Abstract: A carriage conveying system having a conveyance control device, which outputs communication signals for supplying a carriage with electric power by a feeder cable arranged along a guide rail to move the carriage along the guide rail and for controlling operation of the carriage. A control device transmits the communication signals to the carriage by the feeder cables. The carriage has a driving device for driving the carriage in accordance with the electric power. A controller controls the driving device in accordance with the communication signals. A communicating device receives the communication signals from the feeder cable for conveyance to the controller. The communicating device is located in the vicinity of the feeder cable.

Abstract: A feeder is disposed along a guide rail that guides an electrically powered vehicle. The electrically powered vehicle has an electric power receiving unit that surrounds the feeder on a non-contact basis. Electric power is supplied from the feeder to the electrically powered vehicle through electric power receiving units. The number of electric power receiving units is two. Each of the electric power receiving units has a mechanism that causes the electric power receiving unit to be inclined in the tangent direction of the feeder at a curved portion of the guide rail in such a manner that the distance between the feeder and the electric power receiving unit is kept so that optimum power can be obtained.

Abstract: In an operating system for a movable body that runs on a guide rail, a communication method is described that establishes communications between the movable body and an operation control unit for controlling running of the movable body. Power lines on which electric power is transmitted are laid on the guide rail. The movable body is runnable upon reception of the electric power from the power lines. The method includes the steps of (a) generating a communication signal in either the movable body or the operation control unit; (b) superimposing the communication signal on electric power to be transmitted on the power lines; (c) receiving the electric power with the superimposed communication signal at the other of the movable body or the operation control unit; and (d) acquiring the communication signal from the received electric power.

Abstract: A system for supplying electric power to an electrically powered vehicle includes a feeder disposed along a structural member as a guide rail that guides the vehicle. The vehicle has an electric power receiving unit that receives electric power from the feeder on a non-contact basis. The electric power receiving unit has a ferrite core with a coil. A ferrite sheet is disposed on a surface of the structural member in such a manner that the ferrite sheet is opposite to the electric power receiving unit. The feeder is surrounded by the ferrite core and the ferrite sheet. When an AC current is supplied to the feeder, a magnetic flux that penetrates the ferrite core and the ferrite sheet varies, thereby causing electromotive force to occur in the coil.

Abstract: A pickup device has a core to which a coil is wound about. The core has a body formed by laminating a plurality of plates having a predetermined shape. Eddy currents produced by leakage flux is suppressed at the ends of the core. This is achieved by laminating a plate, which has a certain shape and is made of a material having a higher electric resistance value than the body, to the ends of the body. The generation of eddy currents may also be suppressed by providing notches at the ends of the core to obstruct the formation of a magnetic circuit at the ends. As another option, space may be provided at the ends of the core to disconnect the path of eddy currents.