Abstract: An airport terminal gate traffic management system is provided that maximizes efficiency and safety of passenger transfer and aircraft servicing and minimizes aircraft time parked at a terminal. Aircraft are driven forward into and out of gates by controllable landing gear wheel non-engine drive means and parked in a parallel or perpendicular orientation relative to the terminal that facilitates passenger transfer through a maximum number of aircraft doors. Passenger transfer and aircraft servicing may begin upon aircraft arrival using all available accessible aircraft doors. Departing aircraft may be turned by an unassisted pilot and driven forward with the controllable non-engine drive means to a takeoff runway. Airport terminal aircraft gate traffic is most effectively and efficiently managed when a significant number of aircraft using an airport are equipped with non-engine drive means controllable to move them into and out of a parking orientation optimal for passenger transfer.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is a rotating structure. An outer ring is placed on a first surface of a trench in a foundation having a ground surface. An inner ring is positioned inside the outer ring on the first surface. A bar assembly is positioned between the outer ring and the inner ring. A plurality of rollers supports the bar assembly. A plurality of motors engages to the bar assembly to cause the bar assembly to rotate when activated.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is a rotating structure. An outer ring is placed on a first surface of a trench in a foundation having a ground surface. An inner ring is positioned inside the outer ring on the first surface. A bar assembly is positioned between the outer ring and the inner ring. A plurality of rollers supports the bar assembly. A plurality of motors engages to the bar assembly to cause the bar assembly to rotate when activated.

Abstract: A low profile turntable device constructed of wedge shaped sections with structural foam in between, support rollers on the bottom skin, a plurality of reversible drive motors inside a plurality of outer ramps around the exterior, and a concentric circular and perpendicular lateral band system for mounting the turntable on a surface.

Abstract: A rotating floor is provided for rotating a motor vehicle so that the motor vehicle attains a new heading. The rotating floor includes a platform supporting the motor vehicle. The platform is supported above-ground by a plurality of wheels oriented in concentric circles which run along races oriented in concentric circles. A motor is provided with an output shaft coaxial with a rotational center point of the platform. The motor is connected to the platform in a direct drive relationship. A chamber is oriented beneath the platform and housing the motor. The chamber can be accessed through a manhole in the platform and is sized sufficiently to allow a person to enter therein for maintenance to the motor. A tunnel is provided extending from the chamber which provides a person with access to a bottom of the platform.

Abstract: A plasma processing apparatus for etching, ashing, or otherwise processing silicon wafers has a pair of spaced reaction chambers each for processing a silicon wafers in a plasma, a pair of spaced cassette table mechanisms each for supporting a wafer cassette which houses a plurality of wafers therein, and a transfer robot disposed between the pair of spaced reaction chambers and the pair of spaced cassette table mechanisms, for transferring the wafers, one at a time, between the wafer cassette supported by one of the workpiece table mechanisms and one of the reaction chambers. Each of the cassette table mechanisms has a turntable for placing the wafer thereon, the turntable being rotatable to orient the wafer cassette out of physical interference with the robot arm of the transfer robot.

Abstract: An improved motor vehicle turntable is provided that may be installed in any location, typically in front of a garage for the purpose of rotating a vehicle so as to enable it to leave the area in the opposite direction from which it entered the garage. The motor vehicle turntable has a circular vehicle receiving platform supported by a polygonal support frame. The receiving platform and support frame are received within a cylindrical pit so that the upper surface of the platform is level with the surrounding terrain into which the pit is formed. A chain drive frictionally engages the perimeter of the polygonal support frame to rotate the receiving platform when the chain is moved by means of a drive motor and sprocket arrangement.

Abstract: An automatically operated turntable is designed to reverse the direction of a vehicle parked in a driveway. The turntable is pivotally mounted on a rotatable shaft, and a small gear driven motor is utilized to rotate the turntable. Inasmuch as the front of an automobile is heavier than the rear end, when the vehicle is parked forwardly on the turntable, a weight sensitive switch activates the motor to effect a rotation of the turntable. When the vehicle has rotated 180 degrees, the opposite tilting of the table deactivates the weight sensitive switch so as to disable the motor drive.

Abstract: A driverless vehicle turntable includes a table pivotably mounted for movement about a vertical axis. The table has tracks and a drive tube as well as drive wheels. An arcuate drive tube assembly is arranged for frictional contact with the drive wheels.

Abstract: A power rotation apparatus for an air float fixture support system of the type including a table having an upwardly facing upper surface adapted for supporting a workpiece fixture thereon, and a pressurized fluid system for supplying a cushion of pressurized air or other fluid between the surface of the table and the workpiece fixture so as to floatingly support the fixture thereon for virtually friction-free movement. The power rotation apparatus comprises one or more pins rotatably mounted within the table and having a portion thereof extending upwardly from the table surface, and a motor-gear or hydraulic direct drive arrangement within the table for rotating the pin or pins about respective axes normal to the upper surface of the table. The pin is suitably shaped so that it is keyed to an opening, such as a slot, in the lower surface of the fixture thereby causing the fluid support fixture to be rotated in unison with the pin.

Abstract: A shuttle rail assembly, capable of carrying a pair of pallets to which workpieces are fixtured, is mounted on a wheeled vehcile movable along a pair of tracks extending adjacent machine tools and set-up stations. The vehicle is positively driven by a DC motor and pinion, mounted on a adjustable eccentric, which meshes with a toothed rack secured to one of the pair of tracks. A vertical standard extending upward from the vehicle is slidable along power and control electrical buses contained within an enclosed overhead trolley. The shuttle rail assembly includes a pair of rails, extendable to either side of the vehicle by a hydraulic rail motor, mounted on a platform rotatable by a hydraulic index motor to 180.degree. positions when pallets are to be interchanged, and having a 90.degree. latched position during vehicle travel.