Abstract: An apparatus (10) for handling parts (a,a') by magnetic attraction includes a cylindrical casing (18) of nonmagnetic material having an uninterrupted surface throughout its length and a magnet (20) for magnetically attracting parts (a,a') to the casing (18). Nonmagnetic ramps are spirally wound around the casing (18). A drive mechanism (26) rotates the magnet (20) relative to the ramp. The magnet (20) attracts the parts to the casing (18) and causes the parts (a,a') to rotate about the axis of the casing (18) while the ramps (30) cause the parts (a,a') to advance along the length of the casing (18). The ramps (30) include a multiple part segregating mechanism for segregating parts received and discharged along the length of the casing (18).

Abstract: A conveying apparatus conveys storage cases, each containing at least one item of article to be conveyed, along a conveying path and includes main conveying mechanisms and sub-conveying mechanisms. The respective main conveying mechanism has a pair of guide rails which define a main conveying path for storage cases. Stations are located on the main conveying path and carriers are guided along the guide rails on the main conveying path. The carrier includes a storage section for storing the storage cases. The carrier is moved by a linear motor along the main conveying path and stopped at at least one station so that the storage case is conveyed to a destination. The sub-conveying mechanism includes a pair of case guides on sub-conveying path which extends from the station. The storage case is conveyed by a conveying belt along the case guides on the sub-conveying path.

Abstract: A conveyor system for transporting wafers to and from different work stations in a clean-controlled environment includes a platform being magnetically levitated above a U-shaped rail by a magnetic cushion provided by first magnets on the platform and the rail, the first magnets having their magnetic poles arranged to repel one another. A nonmagnetic tube within which is a free-sliding magnetic piston of the same polarity as the first magnets extends along the center of the track. A second magnet is disposed on the platform such that its polarity will repel (or attract) the piston magnet such that as the pressure differential in the tube is changed the piston magnet slidably moves within the tube and pushes (or draws) the platform along the track with it.

Abstract: A transporting device of the conveyor belt type, in which a transporting belt, on which the material to be transported can be supported, is capable of being moved along a transport path by a driving mechanism and carried using rolling bodies. The transport path is equipped with an electrical travelling-wave stator (10). Permanent magnets (16) are provided arranged in series, which communicate with the transporting belt (20) in a power-transmitting fashion and form a linear motor with the travelling-wave stator (10) with an air-gap between the pole faces of the attracting permanent magnets (16) and the travelling-wave stator (10). The permanent magnets (16) and the travelling-wave stator (10) are held at air-gap space (a) by rolling bodies (14).

Abstract: An improved pin lift mechanism for plasma processing of semiconductor wafers is disclosed in which the pins are each contained in a non-magnetic tube which is sealed to the wafer chuck. A magnetic slug in each tube couples external motion of a magnet to the pin.

Abstract: A power and free roller conveyor has a plurality of spaced rollers defining a conveyor path and to each of which is fixed a drive that comprises the secondary of a linear induction motor. The primary of the linear induction motor is positioned adjacent the drivers to enable an interaction of magnetic flux and current resulting from the propagation of a magnetic wave along the primary to cause the drivers and the rollers to rotate. The speed, torque, and direction of rotation of the rollers can be controlled by a voltage and frequency control unit.

Abstract: A rodless linear drive cylinder includes a cylindrical hollow tube, sealed at the ends and containing a pneumatically driven piston. The drive cylinder is so mounted to extend across the ink fountain of a printing machine and includes an ink agitator suspended therefrom into the ink fountain. The agitator is magnetically coupled to the drive piston of the linear drive cylinder.

Abstract: There is provided specialized conveying apparatus for transporting articles which are confined to a tube or chamber within which the cleanliness is maintained at extremely high levels by utilizing existing precipitator and other apparatus, the motion of the pallet on which the articles to be processed are carried being produced by a motor-driven truck which is isolated pneumatically from the article-carrying pallet but which is coupled magnetically to elements on that pallet so that the pallet is levitated in the controlled atmosphere and caused to move by the moving of a truck in the isolated driver portion of the apparatus, all of the dust and other contaminants which are produced in the frictional process of driving the truck being isolated from the clean chamber in which the article is being processed by reason of a nonmagnetic wall separating the driver portion from the conveying portion of the apparatus, the result being the ability to obtain previously unachievable, high levels of cleanliness in the cl

Abstract: A passenger conveyor system is provided with a driving unit disposed at an upper horizontal portion of the system and a linear motor disposed at a midway portion of the system for driving the passenger conveyor, thereby not requiring the provision of expensive linear motors over a full rise of the system, and adding a linear motor to only a portion of the conventional system, while the comfort of the passengers is considerably improved.

Abstract: A conveyor means for transporting precision parts is divided into a plurality of block units and compressed air is supplied selectively to each block unit where a transporting pallet is present so as to reduce consumption of compressed air to the minimum. Also, it ensures high carrying efficiency because of its slow starting and slow stopping without reducing the speed during running.

Abstract: A runway for a conveyor whereby a transporting pallet which straddles the runway is floated in the air by air discharged from the runway and is conveyed by a linear motor provided in the runway. Air ducts to supply air to the upper part of the runway are provided symmetrically. Compressed air discharged upwardly and sideways from nozzle holes at the upper part of the runway floats the transporting pallet which runs above and along the runway by operation of the linear motor. The runway having open spaces for air ducts and an open space for installation of linear motors is made by extrusion from a metallic mold.

Abstract: In an electronic component mounting apparatus comprises a component feeding section including a feeding table unit loaded with several types of electronic components which feeding table unit is adapted to laterally reciprocate on a base, and stopping at a predetermined position thereby to feed the components continuously to a transfer mechanism, the transfer mechanism for absorbing the electronic components and mounting them on a board on an X-Y table on the other side, the X-Y table fixing and stopping the board to a predetermined position, and a board transport section for transporting the board onto the X-Y table for delivering the board having the electronic components mounted thereon, a component feeding apparatus wherein the component feeding table unit of the component feeding section is divided into a plurality of feeding tables each adapted to be moved individually on a straight line by a drive mechanism, the apparatus further comprising means for moving the table to a predetermined position in oppos

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 conveyor has a pivotable upper support which slideably houses two rake assemblies. Stringed tags are collected on the conveyor, then gathered into a bundle by the rake tines. The bundle is presented to a tying appratus, then dropped as the rakes part.

Abstract: A semiconductor wafer transportation apparatus includes a car for supporting a semiconductor wafer, a track for guiding the car, and a linear induction motor for levitating and linearly propelling the car along the track. The motor includes a plurality of permanent magnets disposed on the car, a plurality of linearly disposed and selectively energizable electromagnets disposed along the track and circuitry to sequentially energize the electromagnets. Positioning magnets are used to eliminate friction between the car and the track, to control the degree of levitation and to insure precise lateral positioning of the car on the track, and light emitting diodes are used to detect the position of the car on the track.

Abstract: Wafer transport in the vacuum portion of an automated wafer processing machine is accomplished by means of an improved transport mechanism. The primary transport device is a rail guided, magnetically driven shuttle plate. Baffles serve to isolate the particle producing portions of the mechanism from the wafers. The major drive components are located inside the rails and outside the vacuum containment system. A pin lift apparatus located on the reactor chucks serves to remove and replace wafers on the shuttle plate. The disclosed apparatus provides efficient and reliable wafer transport with a minimum amount of particulate generation and is easily reconfigurable to single or multiple head machines.

Abstract: A towing device (23, 35) which seizes a tabular element (1) on at least one of its side surfaces in conjunction with a device for the conveyance of tabular elements, e.g., insulating glass panes. In addition, a horizontal conveyor belt (3, 14) at least partially supports the tabular elements from below. The towing device (23, 35) is displaceably guided back and forth on a guideway (25, 26; 40) parallel to the conveyance direction (20) and is synchronized in its movement in the conveyance direction (20) with the transport element (14) of the conveyor belt, either by interengaging stops (32, 33) on the towing device and conveyor belt, or else by a transmission (38) that drives the towing device at precisely the speed of the conveyor belt.

Abstract: Plasma spray coating of parts in a low-pressure chamber utilizes a linear induction motor drive system having gapped tracks for supporting and driving part carriers to flow in a continuous series of discrete steps through the low-pressure chamber where the parts are momentarily stopped for preheating and spray coating. Input and output air locks are sealed and unsealed by valve gates that move through the track gaps to optimize the sealing of the locks.

Abstract: A system is described for the automated transfer of wafer carriers containing semi-conductor wafers, to various work stations and processing units along a process line. The system includes tunnel and track segments which are joined to provide a path of desired length. A semi-conductor carrier rides on a cart, which is in one tunnel and is magnetically coupled to a motorized cart which is in a separate tunnel to keep contaminants away from the wafer carrier. The tunnel enclosing the wafer carrier is also purged with nitrogen or filtered air to keep contaminants away from the carrier.

Abstract: A wafer transport system for use in in-line sputtering systems having a first magnet exterior to a process chamber and a second magnet in the process chamber connected to wafer support arms carrying wafers such that the magnetic coupling between the magnets permits the positioning of the wafer support arms in a desired location by movement of the exterior magnet.

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: A method and apparatus for separating, ordering, and feeding metallic workpieces, particularly hard-to-handle workpieces which become easily entangled with one another, from a disorganized pile of workpieces. A traveling electromagnetic field is produced by a three-phase motor stator. The stator may be of the linear type, or either internal or external rotor type, cylindrical three-phase motor stators. Metallic workpieces are disposed within the traveling field, and experience stochastic motions therein. When organized, the metallic workpieces are oriented substantially perpendicular to the direction of travel of the traveling magnetic field. Discharge channels may be provided to transport the oriented workpieces to a pick-up point.

Abstract: A linear accelerator system for linearly advancing an electrically conductive, elongate workpiece, such as tubing, along its longitudinal axis toward a cutoff station or the like includes a helically configured electrical coils concentrically disposed around the workpiece for inducing an electromagnetic field which imposes an axial force on the workpiece. An adjustable stop assembly engages one end of the workpiece to allow selection of the length to be cut. A switch operated by the stop assembly produces a first control signal for controlling a relay which deenergizes the coil; the relay reenergizes the coil in response to a second control signal produced by another switch which senses the completion of the cutoff operation. Sleeves removably mounted on the coil to accommodate workpieces having various diameters. In lieu of the stop assembly, a length encoder may be optionally employed in combination with the accelerator or a separate retarding device to control feed length.

Abstract: A conveyor system is designed for moving loads along a curved path and takes the form of a guide pipe having within it a piston-like driver which may be shuttled from one end to the other thereof by forcing driving fluid, as for example water and oil, into the one end or the other end of the pipe. A sleeve-like runner is placed on the outside of the pipe and is joined up with the driver by a magnet system which may take the form of a magnetic driving part on the driver and so placed thereon as to be radially spaced from the inner wall face of the pipe. The driver within the pipe and the runner on the pipe, together with any magnet system on them, have outer and inner forms taking into account the curved forms of the pipe.

Abstract: A facility for the examination of radioactive bodies in which carriages, each transporting one or more radioactive bodies, travel along a shielded passage to bring the bodies to examination stations spaced along the passage. The transverse sectional dimensions of the passage are not much larger than the corresponding dimensions of the carriages in order to maintain the radioactive region as small as possible. Equipment for the examination of the radioactive bodies is located outside the shielded passage.

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 reverberatory furnace includes a reverberatory furnace body for melting metal and holding molten metal, having an opening well, an electromagnetic trough for transporting hot molten metal from the reverberatory furnace body upwardly and slantly, having an inductor for generating a travelling magnetic field, and a guide trough for guiding the hot molten metal from the electromagnetic trough to the opening well. The hot molten metal is circulated through the reverberatory furnace.

Abstract: Elongated magnetic articles 12 are introduced into vacant positions 31 on a carrier wheel 18 for a given operation. A magnetic bin 40 has a feed end in communication with wheel 18 and includes spaced sidewalls 41-44, with arm sections 43-44 thereof extending substantially beyond the periphery of wheel 18 and along the sides thereof. There is established between said sidewalls 41-44 a first, magnetic field and a second, stronger field to orient and suspend the articles 12 in bin 40. However, the field between arm sections 43-44 is established substantially within the periphery of wheel 18 and such field includes the stronger second field located in a specific region of arm sections 43-44.For loading articles 12 into continuously occurring vacant positions 31 which are advanced in an ascendent path, the stronger second field is located in a lower region of arm sections 43-44.

Abstract: A linear induction drive system for an accelerating and decelerating moving walkway comprising a plurality of interconnected platforms that encompass the entire path of travel of the walkway and overlap one another by a small portion of their length in linear constant speed zones and by a substantial portion of their length in acceleration and deceleration zones is disclosed. The linear induction drive system comprises a plurality of stationary linear induction motor stators located in the constant speed zones. Affixed to the platforms are reaction rails formed of a plurality of links rotatably attached to one another such that the links are linearly aligned with one another in the constant speed zones and fold in an accordian manner in the acceleration and deceleration zones. In the constant speed zone the reaction rails are driven by power applied to the linear induction motor stators. Due to the platform interconnection this drive force moves the entire walkway.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided comprising three elongated vacuum chambers arran in line one after another whereby a component carrying means may be transferred successively from one chamber to another. Of these three chambers the first and third comprise air locks and the intermediate chamber contains heat sealing means whereby components undergoing sealing may be soldered under vacuum. By providing a permanent magnet on each end of the component carrying means this may be shifted between vacuum chambers by external application of a magnet. The overall length of the apparatus is reduced since only three chambers are required and the intermediate chamber may be made shorter than would be the case where no such arrangement is provided.

Abstract: A device for arranging ferromagnetic components a preset distance from one another including an electromagnet defining a pole gap wherein a nonuniform attractive magnetic field is formed with a gradient directed along its axis of symmetry. At least one of the pole pieces of the electromagnet is provided with a ferromagnetic rack adapted to move in the plane in which it lies. The plane of the rack is substantially normal to the direction of the magnetic field gradient. The rack includes teeth which are spaced apart in accordance with a desired preset distances between ferromagnetic componets. The device also comprises a means for feeding ferromagnetic components into the magnetic field, in the direction of its gradient.

Abstract: An improvement in the process and apparatus for converting molten metal, especially steel, into a finished product by first converting the molten metal into thin layers which are superimposed on one another while hot and pressure welding the layers into a unitary body that is particularly adapted for hot or cold shaping into a final size and shape, with the advantage of accelerating the cooling of the molten metal and obtaining the improved grain structure and more nearly uniform distribution of alloying ingredients obtainable from rapid solidification of the molten steel to a solid, comprises forming several separate layers from a common heat of molten metal, simultaneously or successively pressure welding utilizing the layers into a unitary body in a single pressure welding station, in contrast to methods of and apparatus for producing a product from several layers requiring a separate casting unit for each separate layer or thickness and also requiring a pair of pressure rolls for each separate added layer

Abstract: A device for contactless separation of individual ferromagnetic components from a flow of components, comprising a magnet and guards arranged between pole pieces. The guards are made from a non-magnetic material and confine a channel through which components are fed. The gap between the pole pieces is made narrowing in the direction of the component flow. The cross section of at least one pole piece is selected such as to ensure saturation of the magnetic material from which this pole piece is made, when a component being separated from the flow is in the narrowest portion of the pole gap.

Abstract: An electromagnetic conveying trough for conveying molten metals with a trough body extending in the direction of conveyance and lined with a fireproof lining and an inductor for producing a travelling electromagnetic field and formed as a grooved laminated package, the transversely extending grooves defining teeth about which individual coil windings are wrapped. In order to replace the inductor below a molten metal breakthrough without removing all of the lining, the coolant pipes are formed coaxial with each winding as a unit with separate coolant connections to each such unit.

Abstract: A conveyor apparatus is designed for the propulsion of metal sheets and more specifically sheets of ferromagnetic material. It operates by means of a linear induction motor associated with fluid cushion developing shoes. The apparatus is arranged to be movable perpendicularly to the sheets, its weight being counter-balanced so as not to react thereon. It is useful for sheet distributing machines.

Abstract: A mixture of ferromagnetic material and non-ferromagnetic material is separated by first conveying the mixture to an inlet of a tubular member. An electro-magnetic field is then sequentially energized along the length of the tubular member from the inlet to an outlet to attract the ferromagnetic material away from the mixture into the inlet and impel the separated ferromagnetic material through the tubular member for subsequent discharge through the outlet.

Abstract: Conveying apparatus which may be embodied as a jib for a cutter-loader machine in tunnelling or mining applications. The apparatus employs a scraper-chain assembly which in known manner is entrained around rotatable members and is circulated within guide channels with side surfaces adjoined by a base or floor surface. An electric drive motor is coupled via reduction-ratio gearing unit to one or other of the rotatable members. The motor and the gearing each have housings joined together end-to-end and the housing of the motor is joined to at least one other body section of the apparatus. The housings and this body section have the same cross-sectional profile defining the aforesaid guide channels.

Abstract: For the handling, especially sorting, of devices which at least partly consist of a ferromagnetic material, at least one switchable electromagnet in a fixed position produces an electromagnetic field which penetrates a first steady magnetic field and is dimensioned and timely switched according to the special handling process to be performed.