Abstract: In order to at least temporarily increase the throughput of transported objects in a transport device in the form of a planar motor, without negatively influencing the movement of the transport units, at least one engagement portion is provided on each of the at least two transport units, it being possible for the at least two transport units to be moved in succession in the transport plane in a direction of movement into an engagement position in which the engagement portions of the transport units are at least partially engaged. The engagement portions are designed to overlap with one another in the engagement position at least in the direction of movement such that a total extent of the transport units in the direction of movement is smaller than a sum of the individual transport-unit extents of the transport in the direction of movement.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for automated lateral transfer and elevation of sortation shuttles. An example system may include a track having a first portion arranged in a first direction, a shuttle configured to move along the track, and a shuttle carriage system configured to move in a second direction transverse to the first direction, where the shuttle is configured to move from the track to the shuttle carriage system. The shuttle carriage system may include a first frame configured to support the shuttle, a first electromagnet configured to propel the first frame, and a second electromagnet coupled to the first frame, the second electromagnet configured to propel the shuttle off the first frame.

Abstract: Example systems and methods for automated delivery of a food and/or beverage from a kitchen may be directed to a first vertically extending elevator configured to transport a payload to and from the kitchen. The payload may include a food and/or a beverage. Example systems also may include a laterally extending conveyor configured to transport the payload laterally from the first elevator to a second elevator. The second elevator is configured to transport the payload from the conveyor to a customer delivery window.

Abstract: A magnetic locking actuator for a prosthetic or orthotic device is provided. The actuator includes a first component including one or more magnets and a second component including one or more magnets. The first and second components are coupled to separate portions of the device. The magnets allow for adjustment of a length of the actuator to adjust an angular orientation of the first and second portions of the device. When magnets in the second component are aligned with magnets in the first component having an opposite polarity, a position of the second component is fixed relative to the first component, locking the actuator. When magnets in the second component are not aligned with magnets in the first component having the opposite polarity, the position of the second component is adjustable relative to the first component, thereby allowing adjustment of the height of the actuator.

Abstract: A system for conveying electronic cigarette components, including: a guide including a stopping station; a carriage to slide along the guide; a retaining device for holding a component of an electronic cigarette; and a locking unit for locking the carriage relative to the guide at the stopping station. The locking unit includes: two abutment elements mounted on the carriage and disposed at a predetermined mutual distance; and an inserting element which is: disposed at the stopping station shaped such that first and second edges contact the abutment elements, respectively, when the carriage is at the stopping station; movable between a retracted position free from the abutment elements to allow the carriage to slide, and an advanced position contacting the abutment elements to prevent the carriage from sliding. Each abutment element is rotatable about its axis to facilitate movement of the inserting element between the two positions.

Abstract: The transfer device comprises a central structure (20) having at least one transport segment (S21, S22, S23) with drive means (30-1, 30-2, 30-3). The transport segment is intended to receive a carriage (C1, C2, C3) which is mounted so as to be movable with respect to the central structure in a direction of movement. Said carriage has a plate bearing a series of permanent magnets in the direction of movement. The drive means (30) comprise a worm (30-1, 30-2, 30-3) along the transport segment (S21, S22, S23), said worm comprising a ferromagnetic helical perimeter, being mounted so as to be rotatable about an axis parallel to said direction of movement, and being arranged such that the successive turns of the helical perimeter are adjacent to at least some of the permanent magnets of said series.

Abstract: A rotor for a long-stator linear motor system comprises at least three rollers for mounting the rotor on one or more guide rails of the long-stator linear motor system, the at least three rollers comprising a first roller that engages with an upper part of a first guide rail of the one or more guide rails, a second roller that engages with a lower part of the first guide rail, and a third roller that a) is rotatably mounted to at least one rotatable bolster of the rotor or b) comprises a steering rotational axis with an integrated castor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the chip-removing production or machining of a workpiece by means of a tool, in which method a liquid, which mixes and accumulates with the chips produced during the machining process, is used for lubricating and/or cooling the machining process, and the chips are discharged from the accumulation counter to the downhill force along a discharge path by means of a magnetic force, wherein a return flow of the liquid carried by the discharged chips occurs due to the downhill force, and the return flow is deflected out of the discharge path and/or the discharge path has at least one point at which the supporting surface is temporarily withdrawn from the discharged chips.

Abstract: A steel plate suspension conveying device and method thereof, includes an initial suspension module, an intermediate transfer module and a tail end unloading module that are respectively provided with a plurality of electromagnets, wherein the electromagnets (5-6) of the initial suspension module controls the steel plate for suspension, the electromagnets (7-14) of the intermediate transfer module controls the motion of the steel plate toward the tail end unloading module, and the electromagnets (15-17) of the tail end unloading module controls the landing of the steel plate; sensor modules (18) installed on the electromagnets, and are capable of detecting the position, speed and temperature information of the steel plate conveyed by the electromagnets; a central processing unit (4) receiving the information sent by the sensor modules (18) and adjusts the magnitude of a current/voltage flowing into the electromagnets, thereby adjusting the magnitude of the electromagnet attraction applied by the electromagnet

Abstract: Provided is a contactless vertical transfer device using a linear motor. The contactless vertical transfer device using a linear motor includes: a transfer unit for picking up an article; and a linear motor located on a side portion of the transfer unit to move the transfer unit, wherein the linear motor comprises at least one driving unit that is located on a side portion of the transfer unit and provided with a mover which a coil is wound; and a rail unit that is located apart from the mover by a predetermined distance in a lateral direction and provided with a plurality of magnet portions disposed in a transfer direction of the transfer unit. The transfer unit is moved along the rail unit by a thrust force of the mover and the magnet portion.

Abstract: A magnetic energy system including a pathway having inclined portions of the pathway contiguous with declined portions of the pathway and an object adapted to move on the pathway by descending a declined portion of the pathway under the influence of gravity and ascending the contiguous inclined portion of the pathway under the combined influence of kinetic energy and a magnetic flux field interaction with release of the object from the magnetic flux field interaction at a pathway height equal to or greater than the initial height of the object on the preceding declined portion of the pathway.

Abstract: Mover for a transport apparatus in the beverage processing industry, the packaging industry, or the warehouse industry, where the mover can form a linear drive together with a guide rail and a long stator of the transport apparatus, and the mover comprises rolling mechanisms for moving along the guide rail, where the mover comprises a base body and one secondary part or two secondary parts, which, in the case of two secondary parts, are arranged on oppositely disposed sides of the base body and are suitable to interact with an electromagnetic field generated by the transport apparatus to drive the mover along the guide rail characterized in that the mover comprises a device for the continuously variable adjustment of the relative position of a secondary part relative to the base body.

Abstract: An apparatus including a first device configured to support at least one substrate thereon; and a first transport having the device connected thereto. The transport is configured to carry the device. The transport includes a plurality of supports which are movable relative to one another along a linear path; at least one magnetic bearing which at least partially couples the supports to one another. A first one of the magnetic bearings includes a first permanent magnet and a second magnet. The first permanent magnet is connected to a first one of the supports. A magnetic field adjuster is connected to the first support which is configured to move the first permanent magnet and/or vary influence of a magnetic field of the first permanent magnet relative to the second magnet.

Abstract: A test piece storage container continuous processing apparatus capable of continuously introducing a test piece storage container into a housing and suitably coping with numerous samples.

Abstract: A conveyor for conveying articles supported on independently powered and controllable trays. Each tray comprises a blade suspended from an article-supporting platform. A series of drive coils is embedded in the blade. A battery and a controller embedded in the tray drive the drive coils. The blade rides in a slot between two conveyor rails that support the tray platform. The slot is bounded by an array of permanent magnets along each rail. The drive coils produce an electromagnetic field that interacts with the permanent-magnet field in the slot to form a brushless dc motor that propels the tray along the rails.

Abstract: The application provides an apparatus for removing ferrous particles from an oil or gas process liquid or slurry and a method of use. The apparatus has a first inner cylindrical sheath and a second outer cylindrical sheath arranged concentrically on a longitudinal axis to create an annular volume. A helical screw flight on the first or second cylindrical sheaths extends across the annular volume, and a magnet assembly extends along the longitudinal axis, such that ferrous particles are attracted to a surface of the annular volume. The apparatus has an inlet a discharge outlet, and a ferrous particle collection location. The screw flight and the cylindrical sheath operable to rotate with respect to the magnet assembly to convey particles to the collection location. The apparatus includes a retaining surface to retain collected particles.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved conveyor system that provides for a magnetically driven conveyor system in which a sidewall of the conveyor may have minimal or no perforations therein for connecting rollers or other conveying structures in the conveyor bed to an external driving mechanism. The conveyor system may also provide gapless or nearly gapless roller bed that prevents or reduces the accumulation of debris and contaminants in and between the hardware of the conveyor bed. The system of the present invention may provide a more efficient and sanitary conveyor system for produce washing or other food processing application that requires less maintenance.

Abstract: A method of sorting articles with a sorter apparatus and a sorter apparatus having a conveying surface that is adapted to transport articles in a direction of conveyance and a mechanism adapted to displace articles on the conveying surface, the sorter apparatus having an endless web of bodies travelling in an endless loop defining the conveying surface includes a distributed drive system having at least one drive that is adapted to produce to provide force with at least one of the bodies to propel the endless web. A diagnostic device traveling with the web and positioned at one of the bodies of the endless web. The diagnostic device is adapted to monitor operation of the sorter apparatus and includes at least one sensor that is adapted to detect at least one parameter of a proximate drive that is proximate to the at least one sensor, and a controller adapted to receive the at least one parameter from the at least one sensor.

Abstract: A system for processing a substrate is provided including a first planar motor, a substrate carrier, a first processing chamber, and a first lift. The first planar motor includes a first arrangement of coils disposed along a first horizontal direction, a top surface parallel to the first horizontal direction, a first side, a second side. The substrate carrier has a substrate supporting surface parallel to the first horizontal direction. The first processing chamber has an opening to receive a substrate disposed on the substrate carrier. The first lift includes a second planar motor having a second arrangement of coils disposed along the first horizontal direction. A top surface top surface of the second planar motor is parallel to the first horizontal direction. The first lift is configured to move the top surface of the second planar motor between a first vertical location and a second vertical location.

Abstract: A switched reluctance motor is disclosed. The switched reluctance motor includes a rotor, a stator, an air gap between the stator and the rotor, and a plurality of conductive elements. The plurality of conductive elements are disposed on the rotor.

Abstract: The present invention includes conveying and sorting systems utilizing a plurality of continuous rails which support a plurality of sliding pucks that are urged forward using a plurality of sprocket wheels, and which utilize magnetically operated activation components for causing produce to be selectively dropped from cups carried by the pucks into sorting bins. The structures for the conveying and actuating components of the systems have smooth external surfaces reducing potential contamination by bacteria, contaminants and debris, thereby making them easily accessible for cleaning, and allowing for longer continuous operation times and higher efficiency.

Abstract: A conveyance device equipped with a rod-shaped member that includes a magnetic body; an arc-shaped opposing member which opposes part of a side surface of the rod-shaped member and which includes a magnetic body, the opposing member including connecting surfaces which are parallel with the central axis of the rod-shaped member and which connect an outer peripheral surface and an inner peripheral surface; a drive device which rotates the rod-shaped member around the central axis of the rod-shaped member and which changes the relative positions of the rod-shaped member and the opposing member; and a conveyance member which encloses the opposing member and which has retaining surfaces that touch the connecting surfaces of the arc-shaped opposing member.

Abstract: A conveyor and a method for weighing conveyed objects or sorting them by weight. The conveyor comprises a conveyor belt having electrically conductive rollers that are rotated with a constant torque in a lateral direction by a linear-induction stator defining a roller-activation zone along a carryway. Because the lateral acceleration of a conveyed object is inversely proportional to the object's weight, lighter objects are displaced laterally farther and at greater speeds than heavier objects. So their weights can be determined from the lateral acceleration, speed, or displacement. And objects can be sorted off the side of the belt by weight.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a conveying apparatus and a transmitting system.

Abstract: A temperature management apparatus is provided with: a temperature management furnace having a space in which an article is disposed and temperature is managed; bar-like members containing a magnetic material; facing members, each of which faces a part of the side surface of each of the bar-like members and contains a magnetic material; drive apparatuses, which rotate the bar-like members about their center axes and change the relative positions of the bar-like members and the facing members; and a contact member, which moves in the temperature management furnace in association with changes of the relative positions of the bar-like members and the facing members, and which moves the article by being in contact with the article. The drive apparatuses are disposed outside of the space in which temperature is managed.

Abstract: A shrink sleeve apparatus is disclosed herein that includes a shrink sleeve applicator, a downstream heat shrink station, and a horizontal conveyor having side-by-side rollers that have a circumscribing outer portion with at least one high traction segment and at least one low traction segment. A method of applying a shrink sleeve to an article is disclosed that includes providing a conveyor having rollers as disclosed herein, positioning the rollers such that low traction segments of the rollers support the article as it passes a shrink sleeve applicator, which applies a shrink sleeve. The high traction segments of the rollers do not interfere with sleeve application. As the conveyor moves the article and sleeve through a downstream heat shrink zone, the rollers are rotated so that the high traction segments contact the article and sleeve to assure rotation of the article and sleeve during heat shrink.

Abstract: An activated roller transfer apparatus for transferring articles between one conveyor and another. The roller transfer apparatus comprises a linear-induction-motor stator as a primary and electrically conductive article-supporting rollers as a secondary. The linear-motor stator generates a traveling magnetic flux wave that induces eddy currents in the rollers. The eddy currents produce magnetic fields that interact with the flux wave to produce forces that rotate the rollers to propel articles across a gap between the ends of the two conveyors. The stator is generally trapezoidal in shape to comport with the shape of the gap.

Abstract: An electromagnetic propulsion system for electrically conductive articles, such as aluminum beverage cans. Currents in coils disposed along a passageway induce currents in aluminum cans in the passageway. The electromagnetic fields produced by the coil currents and the eddy currents in the cans interact to produce forces that propel the cans along the passageway. A coil drive supplies the coils with a low-frequency current to propel the cans and a high-frequency current to heat the cans. The coils are arranged as solenoids encircling the passageway or as planar arrays bracketing the passageway. Besides being used to propel aluminum cans, the coils can be used to spin cans. The electromagnetic propulsion systems are shown in can washers and dryers.

Abstract: A method of rotating a sample container carrier on a transport plane of a laboratory sample distribution system is presented. The sample container carrier is rotated by using a movement relative to a number of rotator elements. A laboratory sample distribution system being able to perform such a method and a laboratory automation system comprising such a laboratory sample distribution system are also presented.

Abstract: A soldering pump for pumping an electrically conductive fluid—in particular, a liquid solder—said soldering pump having a feed channel which travels at least in segments along a circular path and has an inlet and an outlet, and having a device for generating a moving magnetic field, wherein the device comprises at least one permanent magnet, wherein the device is designed such that the permanent magnet is moved along the feed channel during operation.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved conveyor system that provides for a magnetically driven conveyor system in which a sidewall of the conveyor may have minimal or no perforations therein for connecting rollers or other conveying structures in the conveyor bed to an external driving mechanism. The conveyor system may also provide gapless or nearly gapless roller bed that prevents or reduces the accumulation of debris and contaminants in and between the hardware of the conveyor bed. The system of the present invention may provide a more efficient and sanitary conveyor system for produce washing or other food processing application that requires less maintenance.

Abstract: A medical system generally comprises a camera head, a beam, and a guide sheath. The camera head is connected to the beam which is bendable in a first direction and resists bending in a second direction opposite the first direction. The guide sheath slidably receives the beam, the beam extending through a distal end of the guide sheath such that the camera head projects from the distal end of the guide sheath. The guide sheath includes first and second sheath portions, and in an operative configuration the first sheath portion is angled relative to the second sheath portion to define a first bend. The beam is oriented relative to the guide sheath such that, as the beam is slid relative to guide sheath, the beam bends in the first direction through the first bend, and a projecting portion of the beam resists bending in the second direction.

Abstract: A nanocomposite is provided including nonspherical silica nanoparticles dispersed in a curable resin or a curing agent, where the nanocomposite contains less than 2% by weight solvent. A composite is also provided including from about 4 to 70 weight percent of nonspherical silica nanoparticles dispersed in a cured resin, and a filler embedded in the cured resin. Further, a method of preparing a nanoparticle-containing curable resin system is provided including mixing from 10 to 70 weight percent of aggregated silica nanoparticles with a curable resin and optionally a dispersant, a catalyst, a diluent, a surface treatment agent, and/or a curing agent, to form a mixture. The mixture contains less than 2% by weight solvent. The method also includes milling the mixture in an immersion mill containing milling media to form a milled resin system including nonspherical silica nanoparticles dispersed in the curable resin.

Abstract: A magnet track for a transport device for moving an armature along the magnet track includes a plurality of linear sections each having an even number of magnets of alternating polarity disposed on a support. In curved regions of the magnet track, the polarity of two adjacent magnets of different sections is the same. A ferromagnetic spacer disposed in each V-shaped gap in the curved regions of the magnet track between the different sections so as to fill the gap.

Abstract: A method of configuring a laboratory automation system is presented. The position of a laboratory station is detected automatically. A laboratory sample distribution system and a laboratory automation system adapted to perform such a method are also presented.

Abstract: The vertical pipe structure for water and energy harvesting is an artificial structure formed from concentric sets or rings of pipes having sufficient height such that atmospheric water vapor will condense on upper ends thereof. Water vapor condensing on external faces of the pipes flows downward, under the force of gravity, for collection in at least one reservoir. Water vapor condensing on internal faces of the pipes also flows downward within the concentric sets or rings of pipes for collection in an underground chamber. At least one hydrodynamic generator or the like is provided on the exterior of the artificial structure, such that water flowing thereover may be used for the generation of power.

Abstract: A transport system includes, in a first environment, a driving screw having threads with a thread pitch. In a second environment, a driven member has a magnetic coupling with a driven member pitch substantially corresponding to the thread pitch. The magnetic coupling is coupled to a portion of threads and rotation of the driving screw displaces the magnetic coupling with respect to the driving screw.

Abstract: An active gas regenerative refrigerator includes a plurality of compressor-expander units, each having a hermetic cylinder with a drive piston configured to be driven reciprocally therein, and a quantity of working fluid in each end of the cylinder. A piston seal in a central portion of the cylinder prevents passage of the working fluid between ends of the cylinder. Movement of the piston to a first extreme results in radial compression of one of the quantities of working fluid in a cylindrical gap formed between one end of the piston and an inner surface of the cylinder, while the other quantity is expanded in the opposite end of the cylinder. The piston includes a plurality of magnets arranged in pairs, with magnets of each pair positioned with like-poles facing each other. A piston drive is configured to couple with transverse magnetic flux regions formed by the magnets.

Abstract: Magnetic table jig assemblies and methods allow workpieces (e.g., aircraft components to be fabricated) on a table top of the table jig assembly to be accurately indexed relative to a robotically operated tool (e.g., a robotically operated drill). The magnetic table jig assembly may include a wheeled frame which is capable of rolling movement across a floor surface, a horizontally planar table top exhibiting ferromagnetic properties supported by the frame and a plurality of magnetic workpiece positioners each including an actuator to magnetically couple and decouple the magnetic workpiece positioner to the table top. The workpiece will therefore be positioning restrained on the table top by magnetically coupling the plurality of the magnetic workpiece positioners to the table top in abutting relationship to a perimetrical edge of the workpiece.

Abstract: A laboratory sample distribution system comprising a number of sample container carriers moving on a transport plane is presented. The system further comprises an earthquake detection device in order to minimize influences on operation of the system by an earthquake. A laboratory automation system comprising such a laboratory sample distribution system is also presented.

Abstract: A fuel supply system for a vehicle uses a seal-less piston LPG injunction pump which pumps fluid from a storage tank to an engine. The pump uses the vehicle's pneumatic air system, wherein the pressurized air of this system alternatingly drives an actuator magnetically coupled to a piston.

Abstract: A long distance dredged soil transport system includes a pump module including a pump for generating a compressed air and a plug flow flowing by dividing an inner state of a pipeline to a gaseous unit and a liquefied unit by introducing the generated compressed air into the pipeline by being interlinked to one lateral surface of the pipeline, a pipe module wound with a coil to apply an electromagnetic wave to the liquefied unit and including a plurality of pipelines, database stored with flow information on flow velocity and flow form in response to physical properties of liquefied unit, and a control module communicating with the pipe module, the pump module and the database and applying, to the coil, a waveform of a current matching to a flow waveform of the liquefied unit transported inside the pipeline, and a control method thereof.

Abstract: Methods and computer programs include associating a three-dimensional collider component and a rigid body component to a two-dimensional game object used in the game play. The three-dimensional collider component and the rigid body component define a plurality of physics attributes to enable control of physical behavior of the game object. A second three-dimensional collider component is associated with a game cursor that is used for providing user input to the gameplay. The game cursor is defined as a two-dimensional object with at least a portion of the game cursor having a spherical contour. User input is detected at a touch screen interface of a computing device that is rendering the gameplay. The user input causes the spherical contour of the game cursor to control movement of the game object within the game scene of the gameplay, the movement being adjusted in accordance to physics attributes of the game object.

Abstract: In a linear motor, one of a field system and an armature is configured as a mover and the other is configured as a stator. The field system relatively moves with respect to the armature. The field system includes two yoke boards which are arranged facing each other, a yoke base to which one side ends of the two yoke boards are to be fixed, a plurality of permanent magnets respectively fixed to facing surfaces of the two yoke boards and arranged along a moving direction of the mover, and an elastic member configured to apply force the facing surfaces of the two yoke boards in directions that other side ends of the two yoke boards move away from each other.

Abstract: A conveying apparatus includes: a housing; a movable member; a linear motor; and a cover. The linear motor includes a primary magnetic pole and a secondary magnetic pole each having a facing surface that faces the other and that is a plane along the longitudinal direction of the housing. The cover allows the primary magnetic pole to be located in an atmospheric environment, and the secondary magnetic pole to be located in a vacuum environment or a reduced pressure environment by separating the primary magnetic pole and the secondary magnetic pole from each other. The primary magnetic pole and the secondary magnetic pole face each other so that a direction of a magnetic attraction force generated therebetween and acting on their facing surfaces is different from directions of forces acting, due to an atmospheric pressure outside the housing, on the wall of the housing on which the cover is provided.

Abstract: A substrate transport system includes a substrate cart inside a chamber and a linearly driven shuttle outside the chamber configured to levitate the substrate cart into a non contact, spaced relationship with respect to outwardly opposing sides of an interior wall of the chamber and to linearly drive the substrate cart within the chamber.

Abstract: To provide a conveying apparatus that includes: a fixed section; a movable section movable with respect to the fixed section; and a pair of linear motors each located so as to be partially included in the fixed section and the movable section. Each linear motor includes a primary magnetic pole section and a secondary magnetic pole section, and these pole sections are arranged to face each other so as to enable the movable section to move with respect to the fixed section. The movable section includes a movable body capable of conveying a conveyed object, and one of the magnetic pole sections of each linear motor. Each linear motor is located at each of opposite ends of the movable body in a width direction that is orthogonal to a moving direction, and the fixed section includes the other of the magnetic pole sections.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a transport device for transporting objects along a conveyor track. The transport device comprises a drive system having at least two stationary stator elements spaced apart from one another, which interact with a rotor element that is arranged on a transport element that is suitable for receiving at least one object and can be moved along the conveyor track. A distance between the stator elements ran a direction parallel to the conveyor track is shorter than the longitudinal extension of the rotor element.

Abstract: A substrate transport system includes a substrate cart inside a chamber and a linearly driven shuttle outside the chamber configured to levitate the substrate cart into a non contact, spaced relationship with respect to outwardly opposing sides of an interior wall of the chamber and to linearly drive the substrate cart within the chamber.

Abstract: A hygienic drive system for a belt conveyor. The drive system has a stator rigidly mounted in a housing having an outer bearing surface that is continuous with the outer surface of mounting supports and avoids hard-to-clean nooks. A rotor assembly formed by drive wheels rotatably mounted on the outer surface of the housing or by a magnetic belt wrapped around a portion of the outer surface is rotated by a rotating magnetic wave produced by the stator. The stator and rotor can form an induction motor or a synchronous motor.