Abstract: A primary of a linear induction motor has a plenum formed on its upper surface to receive cooling air from a fan. The upper surface of the core is formed with fins to promote cooling. Air flows from the plenum to side housings in which the end turns are located. A deflector plate directs air from the plenum over the end turns of the windings. Exhaust slots are provided in the housing above the end turns and a baffle between the housing and the end turns promotes flow through the end turns as it moves toward the exhaust slots.

Abstract: A transporting system includes plural primary dispersedly arranged linear induction motors and plural continuously movable bodies connected by a secondary conductor in an endless path. At least one of the linear induction motors is directly controlled by an inverter control device, and the remaining linear induction motors are switchably connected to a power source. A running speed of the moveable bodies is detected, and the difference between the detected running speed and a desired running speed is used to control the inverter control device and the switching of the remaining induction motors to the power source. A voltage controller can be used in place of the inverter control device.

Abstract: A transit system is disclosed having a guideway, with the primary of a linear induction motor located at spaced intervals therealong. A train of vehicles is positioned to travel along the guideway and includes the secondary of the linear induction motor. The secondary extends along and between the vehicles in spaced relation with respect to the primary so as to encounter a magnetic field emanating from the primary to cause a thrust to be generated in the secondary. The secondary thereby provides an even distribution of the thrust along the frame, while reducing the loss of power when the train encounters corners and hills.

Abstract: A linear motor transportation system is constituted by a movable member 11A in the form of a ring and a plurality of cylindrical stationary portions 3B-3E arranged in series to form a cylindrical guide. The movable member has an inner diameter larger than an outer diameter of the cylindrical guide and is slidably fitted on the cylindrical guide. A transportation table 14 is fixedly secured to the movable member to transport an article 15. A plurality of parallel grooves 3a are formed in an outer surface of the cylindrical guide and the movable member is provided on its inner surface with a corresponding number of rollers 11a, 11b engaged with the respective grooves to stably guide the movable member therealong.

Abstract: A reaction rail assembly, for forming a secondary of linear induction motor, includes an elongate conductive member of uniform cross-section, and core formed from a plurality of elongate bars. The bars extend parallel to the conductive member, and adjacent bars are insulated from one another, so as to reduce eddy current losses. The bars have corresponding width and height, and can be square. The core is located adjacent the conductive member, so as, in use, to complete a magnet circuit between a primary and secondary of a linear induction motor.

Abstract: The present invention is based on the critically important feature of providing a left-right parallel arranged linear motor-based conveying system in which the upper surfaces of the guide rails do double duty as providing the rolling surfaces for the wheel pairs, and also as being secondary (reaction) conductor surfaces for the linear motors, and the linear motors are spaced closely above the upper surfaces of the guide rails by a predetermined clearance.

Abstract: A conveyor with linear motors provided for each working station of the transporting line having plural stations. A controller which controls working of two linear motors when two linear motors convey articles between adjoining stations is provided for every two adjoining stations. The controller is provided with a linear motor controller which controls linear motors for transportation and a sequence controller and a station controller which control the transporting line through the medium of the linear motor controller.

Abstract: An elevator is driven by a linear motor having an elongated flat secondary element disposed in parallel to a hoistway and extending along the length thereof, the secondary element being supported by an edge portion thereof by a support. The linear motor has a first primary element disposed on one side of the flat secondary element, and a second primary element disposed on the other side of the flat secondary element. A housing supports each primary element adjacent a face of the secondary element. The housing has an opening through which the support of the secondary element passes. The housing includes a counterweight assembly disposed at either end thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel train and track which can be used in an automated, tracked soration system which is capable of sorting and transporting high volumes ofgoods efficiently and which gives flexible system design, easy set-up, easy servicing with minimum down time, centralized control and a minimum of wiring complexity. The train includes "smart" cars and a locomotive for pulling the cars around the track. The trains are loaded with goods to be sorted and given destination addresses for the goods at a loading or master station. Once a train has left the master station, all functions including keeping track of position, regulating speed and dumping cars are to be controlled by a microprocessor placed aboard each locomotive. This "smart" design allows the track to be very simple as it need only provide a path and lower supply for the trains to run on and the train can wait at the loading station until it has a full or partial load to deliver.

Abstract: The present invention concerns an apparatus for collective transportation of passengers, of metropolitan type with automatic drive by independent traction trucks using notably propulsion by linear motor, in this apparatus, the cabins (1) are driven by independent trucks (3) running on a track (7) parallel to the cabin track (5), these trucks being coupled in relatively loose or flexible connection to the cabins in order that their path will not be affected by that of the cabins and vice versa.

Abstract: The invention is a conveyor control system having self-propelled vehicles having wheels, each driven by a motor (14) to move along rails. The system includes power rails (18) for supplying power to the vehicle (12) and at least one command rail (20, 21) which transmits a constant command signal indicative of requested speed. The command rail (20) is comprised of isolated sections of rail for carrying different command signals along each isolated section to enable the vehicle (12) to travel at different speeds dependent on which section of rail the vehicle is within. The command signal may be in the form of an analog signal on one rail (20) or a digital signal on two rails (20, 21). Each vehicle (12) includes a control circuit (22) which interprets the command signal to drive the vehicle (12) at the requested speed. An override circuit (28, FIG. 2b, FIGS. 3 and 4) senses external activity for proper control of the circuit.

Abstract: A conveyor system comprising a conveyor vehicle, a guide rail for supporting the conveyor vehicle to be freely movable relative thereto, and a linear motor including a primary coil and a secondary conductor for driving the conveyor vehicle. The primary coil is mounted on the conveyor vehicle and the secondary conductor is mounted on the guide rail. The guide rail defines a secondary conductor support portion for limiting downward and transverse movements of the secondary conductor.

Abstract: A transport control system with linear motor drive applicable for cash transport in a bank. The system uses a main controller, a rail-path, a carrier adapted to be driven along the rail-path by linear motor drive, and a plurality of stator portions coupled to the rail-path to produce a driving force in association with the carrier. Each of the stator portions includes a stator controller for controlling the driving of the carrier. The stator controller controls the driving of the carrier passing the stator portion to which the stator controller belongs to cause the carrier to reach a destination stator portion.

Abstract: A linear motor truck apparatus including: a truck having pairs of wheels rotatably mounted thereon; a supporting mechanism, having a rail extending along a line of travel of the truck, for supporting and guiding the truck along the line of travel by engaging the wheels with the rail; and a drive mechanism, including the linear motor, for driving the truck so that the truck may travel along the line of travel.

Abstract: A linear motor car system including a horizontal conveyance path, a vertical conveyance path, and a curved conveyance path connected between the horizontal and vertical conveyance paths. A controller in the linear motor car system drives a carrier so that the carrier can ascend smoothly up the curved and vertical conveyance paths with the minimum driving energy and without accidentally falling back down the vertical path.

Abstract: A transport apparatus is provided with a track including a predetermined transport path, a first runner adapted to travel on the transport path when subjected to an external impelling force, and a plurality of stators arranged at predetermined intervals along the transport path and adapted to produce changes of magnetic field, whereby an impelling force is applied to the first runner for moving. The transport apparatus is further provided with a second runner adapted to be transported on the transport path by a driving force from built-in transport mechanism.

Abstract: A conveyor system utilizing the linear motor, comprising a conveyor cart and a guide rail for movably supporting the conveyor cart. The guide rail includes primary coils, and the conveyor cart includes a flexible secondary conductor extending longitudinally of the cart so as to follow the guide rail. The primary coils comprise a station primary coil disposed at each loading and unloading station for stopping and starting the converyor cart, two primary coils adjacent opposite ends of the station primary coil for decelerating the conveyor cart that is to be stopped at the station by the station primary coil and for accelerating the conveyor cart having started from the station to a target running speed, and a plurality of intermediate accelerating primary coils disposed between two adjacent stations for accelerating the conveyor cart to maintain the latter at the target running speed.

Abstract: An improved runner for use with a sailrail hydrostatic bearing levitation system is disclosed. The runner uses a substantially solid core having a degree of flexibility in a vertical plane, a thin pad of flexible, compliant material covering at least the transversely convex lower surface of the core, and an outer flexible, compliant cover enclosing the pad and the core. In another embodiment there is pad material on the upper surface of the core as well. The runner can be secured to a pallet and provides specific advantages over prior art runners which had a larger profile, were more expensive and were not as efficient as the low profile runner of this invention.

Abstract: A system for propelling individual carriages along an endless path from a first speed abutted in a stack in a carriage collection section, to a second speed spaced apart in an operational section, and to a third speed in a stack-forming section where the carriages return to the first speed in the stack. Novel carriages are propelled by a linear motor wherein each carriage has attached a synchronous and a hysteresis secondary. A first primary positioned adjacent one part of the path develops electromagnetic waves for engaging the synchronous secondaries to provide controlled spacing of the carriages, and a second primary adjacent another part of the path develops other electromagnetic waves for engaging the hysteresis secondaries to provide controlled abutting of the carriages.

Abstract: A transportation system of a floated-carrier type according to the present invention has a guide rail cover extending in a longitudinal direction. The guide rail cover comprises a guide rail. A carrier is made to float, in a non-contact manner, from the guide rail, by means of floating device and is propelled along the guide rail by a transfer device. An electrical device and a battery for supplying a current thereto are mounted on the carrier. In this transportation system, a charging device is provided for charging the battery. The charging device comprises a first terminal connected to the battery, a charging power source located on the guide rail cover, and a second terminal, which is connected to the charging electric power source and can be brought into contact with the first terminal when the carrier is stopped at a predetermined position.

Abstract: A transport apparatus is provided with a track including a predetermined transport path. At least two runners travel on the transport path. The track includes a pair of first guide portions individually in rolling contact with first wheels of the runner on the upper side, and a pair of second guide portions individually in rolling contact with second wheels of the runner on the lower side. A lift mechanism is provided with the track and adapted temporarily to remove the runner from the transport path. The lift mechanism includes cut portions formed individually in the first guide portions and allowing the runner to be lifted, and driving mechanism for lifting up the runner through the cut portions to open the transport path when the runner is opposed to the cut portions.

Abstract: A linear motor-driven conveyor means includes a linear motor and a linear step motor and provides high speed conveying and sotp position determining of high accuracy with a simple controlling device.

Abstract: A conveyor apparatus in which magnetic liquid is provided between a transfer track and a transfer object and a permanent magnet is fitted on the bottom of the transfer object to attract the magnetic liquid to move together with the transfer object thereby serving as a lubricant and permits the transfer object to move on the track afloat or buoyed-up by the magnetic liquid. An edge of a magnetic pole is shaped to have a loft angle in contact with the magnetic liquid to produce an upward component during its movement thereby increasing buoyancy and stability of the transfer object. Dust stir-up is precluded by virtue of the use of a magnetic liquid, as opposed to a conventional pressurized air support method.

Abstract: A magnet controller for a magnetically suspended vehicle of the linear stator type for travelling along a rail track (1) forming a linear stator having teeth of uniform determined width, responds to a rectified control signal. The control parameters for the magnet controller (21) are adjusted in response to speed to assure a stable control during standstill and at low speeds and to achieve a good response or follower characteristic of the control system at high speeds. A speed representing signal (U.sub.v) is generated in a conductor loop, preferably a double loop (9), inserted into a groove (10) of the poles (5) of the levitation magnets (2). The signal (U.sub.v) generated in the conductor loop is rectified at (31), and if desired passed through a low-pass filter (32) to provide the control input signal for the controller (21) by a very simple circuit. Utilizing just the amplitude of the speed signal (U.sub.

Abstract: A transport apparatus is provided with a track including a predetermined transport path, a first runner adapted to travel on the transport path when subjected to an external impelling force, and a plurality of stators arranged at predetermined intervals along the transport path and adapted to produce changes of magnetic field, whereby an impelling force is applied to the first runner for moving. The transport apparatus in further provided with a second runner adapted to be transported on the transport path by a driving force from built-in transport mechanism.

Abstract: A control apparatus for a linear motor, having main and auxiliary driving coils and which drives a movable plate is disclosed. The control apparatus, which determines if the plate is within an active area of the motor and, if so, supplies current to the coils, includes an alarm circuit for generating a first measuring signal dependent on the current flowing through the main coil and a second measuring signal dependent on the current flowing through the auxiliary coil. The phase relation between the two measuring signals changes depending on whether the plate is within the active area of the linear motor or not. The alarm circuit senses the measuring signals and generates a switch signal at a first output and an engaged signal at a second output if the plate is within the active area of the linear motor. The switch signal is coupled to an adjustable delay circuit which transmits the delayed switch signal to a switching circuit to actuate a switching medium connected in series with the linear motor.

Abstract: A transport control system with linear motor drive applicable for cash transport in a bank. The system uses a main controller, a rail-path, a carrier adapted to be driven along the rail-path by linear motor drive, and a plurality of stator portions coupled to the rail-path to produce a driving force in association with the carrier. Each of the stator portions includes a stator controller for controlling the driving of the carrier. The stator controller controls the driving of the carrier passing the stator portion to which the stator controller belongs to cause the carrier to reach a destination stator portion.

Abstract: A railway system utilizes a discontinuous linear motor for the propulsion of a train composed of a plurality of transport units joined end-to-end, each including a group of vehicles normally maintained coupled to each other. The transport units are of the same length L and carry secondary elements of the linear motor at regular intervals. A track for the train has active sections incorporating primary inductors of the motor and separated by inactive track sections having no primary elements. The primary inductors within an active track section are disposed at regular intervals L, from center to center. In the active track sections, the linear motor provides power to the train proportional to the number of transport units.

Abstract: This invention uses magnetic levitation in combination with magnetic propulsion (MAGLEV) to accelerate an aircraft of spacecraft--or both crafts as a coupled unit--from standstill along a guideway to the highest possible launch velocity. The acceleration along the guideway is fuel efficient. The craft(s) are brought to launch velocity without using on board fuel. The computer controlled acceleration along the guideway could avoid high g forces to prevent damage to fragile payloads. The guideway may be sectionalized and of any shape. One section, for instance, may be circular to permit a long magnetically accelerated run with a relatively short length guideway. Very heavy crafts and payloads can be launched with superconducting levitation magnets in the guideway which form strong repulsive force fields with superconducting magnets in the MAGLEV vehicle. In another embodiment, the invention includes attraction magnets for the levitation.

Abstract: The roadway support of a steel roadway for magnetic tracks includes a cover plate (3) as an upper securing member which at the lower side of its two extending longitudinal edges is welded a side guiderail (4). Parallel to the guiderail and at a spacing thereto is a web-shaped longitudinal support (5) welded thereto, which carries the axial stator components (6). Extending at right angles to the longitudinal support (5) are spaced cross-support (8) which respectively pass as a unitary web connector between the two side guiderails (4). In their crossing region, the longitudinal supports (5) and the cross-supports (8) incorporate oppositely directed cutouts (9) and (10). The longitudinal support is fastened to only one of the two perpendicular side edges of the cutout (10) in the cross-support (8) through a welding seam (17) (FIG. 3).

Abstract: A table feed apparatus is disclosed. The table feed apparatus includes a fixed bed, a first movable table and a second movable table. The first movable table and the second movable table are carried on the fixed bed through the first and second linear bearings in such a manner that the tables are vertically separated from each other and are movable in the same direction. The first and second movable tables have a brake for fixing the tables to the fixed bed. The apparatus further includes a linear motor acting between the first and the second movable tables and capable of selectively causing one of the tables to travel while the other is fixed to the fixed bed through its brake. In consequence, it is possible for the movable tables to travel an infinitely long distance, irrespective of the length of the fixed member.

Abstract: A conveyor includes carriers supported on a carrier track, pushers supported on an adjacent power track, and a work station located along the carrier track. Each carrier is propelled to a pick-up station in advance of the work station by engagement of one of the pushers with a driving dog on the carrier. A carriage, movable between the pick-up station and a discharge station following the work station and having releasable coupling devices adapted to engage carriers at the pick-up and work stations, is reciprocatably driven on forwarding and return movements by a linear motor. On the forwarding carriage movement, carriers at the pick-up and work station are rapidly advanced to the work and discharge station, respectively, and the coupling devices are released prior to the return movement of the carriage. A carrier advanced to the discharge station is re-engaged by one of the pushers of the conveyor.

Abstract: A semiconductor substrate transport system includes a semiconductor substrate holder for holding semiconductor substrates to be transported, a linear pulse motor for driving and reciprocating the semiconductor substrate holder, a pulse oscillator connected to the linear pulse motor, an arrangement for holding a clearance of the linear pulse motor, and guide for guiding the reciprocating motion of the linear pulse motor. The semiconductor substrate holder, the linear pulse motor, the clearance holding arrangement and the guide are installed in a chamber which is brought into a vacuum atmosphere, whereby the appearance of dust during the transport of the semiconductor substrates can be suppressed, and the available percentage and throughput of the semiconductor substrates processed or to be processed by a semiconductor production apparatus can be enhanced.

Abstract: A floating apparatus for use in an attractive floater railway includes a magnetic rail mounted on the underside of a track. The magnetic rail comprises sheets of ferromagnetic material laminated together and is formed to have a cross section in the shape of a trapezoid or a quadrant of a circle with faces of the rail including a horizontal surface and a vertical surface. A guiding electromagnet is disposed opposite to the vertical surface and a supporting electromagnet is disposed opposite to the horizontal surface. The electromagnets are mounted on a truck and are constructed such that the respective fluxes thereof flow in opposite directions in the magnetic rail. The magnetic rail may include a magnetic propulsion rail opposite to a linear inductor machine to provide both vertical support and horizontal propulsion to the truck.

Abstract: In a transportation system involving a track-side linear induction motor (LIM) primary and a vehicle carrying a LIM secondary, slip power in the secondary is recovered and used to power the on-board electrical system of the vehicle. The LIM secondary has a three-phase secondary winding rather than a conventional reaction plate. The winding is connected to a rectifier which converts slip current in the windings into electrical power for the on-board electrical system. This eliminates the necessity for any sliding contacts for power transfer, while simultaneously enabling at least part of the slip power, which is normally dissipated as heat in the secondary, to be recovered.

Abstract: An air assisted sliding device has a pallet supported on a base. The pallet has a recess provided on the periphery of its bottom surface in which a flexible tubular sealing member is mounted. The sealing member has a memory normally contracting it so as to be flat. An air passage communicates with the interior of the flexible sealing member so that compressed air can be fed to it. A groove is evenly provided on the bottom surface of the pallet within the bounds of the recess and a separate air passage for feeding compressed air or vacuum air is communicated with the groove so that the pallet may be provided with an air film of compressed air or may be stopped and a vacuum applied to attract the pallet to the base at a predetermined position on the base. A timing belt drive or an electromagnetic motor is used.

Abstract: The levitating force of the levitation magnets of a magnetically levitated ehicle of the linear stator type is controlled for regulating the air gap width (S) between these levitation magnets (2) and a rail track having teeth of uniform, determined width in the travel direction. The control is responsive to the air gap width and, if desired, to the differentiation of the air gap width with respect to time. The control requirements are dependent on the vehicle speed, whereby in the low speed and stopping situations the primary task is a stabilizing one and in higher speed situations the primary task is a good following behavior. For this purpose a steering signal is derived from the output terminals of an induction conductor loop located in the surface of a pole piece of a levitation magnet facing the track teeth. The loop has a width corresponding to the tooth width. The frequency of the signal induced in the loop is directly proportional to the vehicle speed.

Abstract: A driving apparatus for use in a movable toy is disclosed, and includes a mobile body, an immobile body, a plurality of permanent magnets fixed to the mobile or immobile body, at least one electromagnet fixed to the other body so as to co-operate with the permanent magnets, a pair of contactless switches, and a circuit for exciting the electromagnet winding depending on the state of energization of the contactless switches and the position of the permanent magnets relative to the electromagnet. The driving apparatus is capable of not only rotary movement but also straight movement.

Abstract: An internal flux-conducting member is axially elongated and is manufactured with at least one radially extending electrical discontinuity, to prevent circumferential eddy currents from flowing therewithin in paths which are circular as viewed along its axis. The member may be a single unitary element into which elongated slots are cut, or may be assembled of a plurality of like rods which, when assembled together, have abutting surfaces which form the electrical discontinuities. The rods may be joined together by a nonconductive metal-bonding agent.An external flux-conducting member is disclosed in which at least two like curved frame elements which are made of ferromagnetic material are connected together so as to form a hollow, open-ended frame with an axially elongated and generally cylindrical shape. The frame thus formed contains a plurality of annular magnet rings which are all radially magnetized, with adjacent magnet rings being magnetized in opposite direction.

Abstract: The air gap between the rail or rails and an electromagnetically levitated ehicle is optimally controlled with regard to the power or energy consumption. This result is achieved by a control employing two control channels. One control channel is constructed as a non-linear support or guide controller for regulating or contolling the air gap width in response to disturbances of short duration. The other control channel is constructed to cause a reduction of the air gap width or rather of the rated air gap width for adapting of the air gap width to the spectrum and amplitude distribution of the disturbances to which the levitated vehicle is exposed. This type of control may be employed for the regulating of the air gap between the support magnets and the respective rail and also for controlling the air gap between the guide magnet and the respective rail to reduce the energy required for maintaining these air gaps at an optimally efficient width.

Abstract: A fluid levitated generally convex support member particularly useful in supporting a pallet, plate or belt such that the pallet, plate or belt load may be moved in an air powered track system, the system including at least one concave track with means for supporting and guiding the convex member and the pallet, plate or belt thereabove on a thin film of pressurized air jetting from nozzles in the track. The support member includes a generally tubular, flexible and partly deformable outer member and means for internally stressing the outer member so that under load there will be controlled deformation thereof. The deformed member will be closely complementary to the track surface to maximize load carrying capacity while minimizing fluid support power requirements and the detrimental effect of track deformities.

Abstract: An asynchronous linear motor in which a stator mounted on a vehicle, e.g. a magnetically supported vehicle, cooperates with a reaction rail along a track for propulsion of the vehicle. According to the invention, the core of the stator comprises a pocketed frame-like or grid structure of non-magnetic material in the pockets of which sheet stacks of electrical steel are received, the central compartment or pocket serving as a cooling compartment through which a liquid coolant can be circulated. The reaction rail can partly enclose the stator.

Abstract: Transport apparatus comprises a drive unit and a slave unit movable in unison along a predetermined path. The slave unit is disposed beneath the drive unit to move along a tunnel with work stations located at intervals along the tunnel. The drive unit carries electromagnets which when energized levitate the slave unit within the tunnel, controls being provided to maintain the slave unit at a desired position relative to the drive unit. The roof of the tunnel is formed from a magnetically transparent material, such as glass. The slave unit is thereby physically isolated from the drive unit. As a result the drive unit is shielded from any hostile environment within the tunnel and resulting, for example, from the transport of radioactive or toxic materials by the slave units. This simplifies repair and maintenance operations on the drive unit.

Abstract: A high-power linear electric motor comprises an inductor constituted by annular coils surrounding a magnetic core of square or rectangular section, and an armature having an omega section enveloping this inductor on three sides, so as to ensure the passage both of the magnetic flux and of the induced currents. The armature comprises, outside, a magnetic layer extending upon the whole conductive layer, that is to say as well upon the upturned U central part as upon the two side horizontal flanges of the armature.

Abstract: A linear magnetic bearing includes a stator member (16) stationary relative to x, y and z axes and having a longitudinal axis on the z axis as well as a member (15) longitudinally translatable relative to said axes. The translatable member (15) is controlled to have a longitudinal axis coincident with the z axis. Permanent magnets (36 and 37) on one of the members positions the translatable member (15) in a plane defined by the x-y axes relative to the stationary member (16). The position of the translatable member (15) is sensed by sensors (41 and 42) relative to the stationary member (16) in the plane defined by the x-y axes. Electro-magnets (38 and 39) on one member (23) responds to the sensor (41 and 42) to center the longitudinal axis of the translatable member (15) on the z axis. First low reluctance magnetic flux paths for the permanent magnets (36 and 37) exist through both of the members and a radial air gap (32, 33, 34 and 35) between the members.

Abstract: A magnetically levitated carriage provided with a magnetic system suspension consisting of support magnets which magnetically cooperate via an air gap. The levitated carriage is maintained in a stable condition by means of a stabilizing device which substantially comprises a row of first stabilizing magnets connected to the levitated carriage and a row of parallel arranged second stabilizing magnets. The dynamic stiffness due to the stabilizing device is greater than the static stiffness due to the support magnets.

Abstract: A feeding system for a linear motor transportation system in which a number of discrete drive coil units or linear motor units are arranged along a track to generate a moving magnetic field for driving trains is disclosed. In the present feeding system, a number of feeding sections extend contiguously along the track and each of the feeding sections includes at least one power supply station. Each feeding section is divided into at least two linear motor blocks each having a feeder block. The linear motor units in each of the linear motor blocks are connected through associated ones of a first group of switches to the associated feeder means which are connected to the power converter of the associated feeding section through associated ones of a second group of switches. Preferably, those adjacent two feeder blocks which belong to adjacent different feeding sections respectively are coupled together through an associated one of a third group of switches.

Abstract: The invention relates to conveyor apparatus, particularly for use in conveying large quantities of heavy bulky and/or dry materials over a long distance. Moreover, the apparatus of the invention may be constructed in out-of-the-way areas over deteriorated or difficult courses, such as rubble. This is achieved by the use of a tube-like elongated passage through which a plurality of joined conveyor cars pass. The elongated passage has openings in the bottom for receiving therealong spaced apart primary windings for a linear electric motor. The cars, in turn, have mounted in the bottom surface thereof the secondary of the motor. The apparatus includes air vents for accommodating air movements ahead of and behind the cars switching arrangements and provision for loading and unloading.

Abstract: A power supply system for a linear motor comprising a plurality of driving coils disposed along the track for a running body for generating a shifting magnetic field to drive the running body, power converter means for feeding the plurality of driving coils with electrical energy, a plurality of switches responsive to the movement of the running body for selectively electrically connecting each of the driving coils to the power converter means, a first reactive power controller continuously electrically connected to the power input side of the power converter means, and a second reactive power controller selectively electrically connected to the power input side of the power converter means in accordance with the movement of the running body, whereby the steady reactive-power is compensated for by the first reactive power controller and the reactive power which varies with the movement of the running body is compensated for by the second reactive power controller.

Abstract: In winding the stator of a long stator linear motor without iron, the conductors of the traveling wave winding in the stator are designed as round jacketed lines which are fixed to a non-magnetic winding support by cross-bars and retained in place by hardenable non-magnetic material. The conductors of the traveling wave winding are approximately flush with the outside surface of the stator which is disposed opposite an exciter magnet on a moving vehicle.