Abstract: Disclosed is a method for arranging a vertical lifting intensive parking garage. The garage comprises a main body tower garage (101), wherein a storage rack (102) composed of a plurality of storage garage spaces (106) is arranged in the center of the main body tower garage (101); each layer of the storage rack (102) is an independent movable garage; each layer of the storage rack (102) is provided with a left and right turnover parking stall (104) and is joined to two corresponding vehicle-supporting elevators (103); and different layers of the storage rack (102) can be rotated by a suitable angle as needed so as to be joined to another two vehicle-supporting elevators (103). This arrangement method can increase the number of garage entrances and exits, reduce the waiting time for accessing vehicles, and improve access efficiency.

Abstract: An automatic vehicle storage system includes an adjustable, self-guided vehicle satellite for moving a vehicle between a pick-up and drop-off bay, a vehicle carriage, and a storage bay. The vehicle carriage is typically movable along and by a vehicle crane, which carries the vehicle to a desired storage bay, where the vehicle satellite then moves the vehicle. Once the vehicle is in the storage bay, the satellite and returns back to the carriage at the vehicle crane. The vehicle storage system is also capable of rotating the vehicle, such that the vehicle is forward-facing in the pick-up and drop-off bay when it is retrieved by the user, and to facilitate the simultaneous operation of side-by-side cranes within a storage facility.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for loading and unloading substrate carriers onto and off of a transport system. The invention includes a substrate carrier handler adapted to transfer a substrate carrier between a docking station and a transport system, the substrate carrier handler including an end effector adapted to support the substrate carrier; a controller coupled to the substrate carrier handler and operative to control the substrate carrier handler such that the end effector of the substrate carrier handler is operative to selectively engage and disengage the substrate carrier to and from the transport system while the substrate carrier is in motion; and a sensor coupled to the controller and operative to provide a signal to the controller indicative of information about the substrate carrier.

Abstract: In a first aspect, a substrate loading station is served by a conveyor which continuously transports substrate carriers. A substrate carrier handler that is part of the substrate loading station operates to exchange substrate carriers with the conveyor while the conveyor is in motion. A carrier exchange procedure may include moving an end effector of the substrate carrier handler at a velocity that substantially matches a velocity of the conveyor. Numerous other aspects are provided.

Abstract: In a first aspect, a wafer loading station adapted to exchange wafer carriers with a wafer carrier transport system comprises a biasing element adapted to urge the end effector of the wafer loading station away from a moveable conveyor of the wafer carrier transport system upon the occurrence of a unscheduled event such as a power failure or an emergency shutdown. In a second aspect, an uninterruptible power supply commands a controller to cause the wafer carrier handler to retract the end effector from the wafer carrier transport system upon the occurrence of the unscheduled event, and provides the power necessary for the same. Numerous other aspects are provided.

Abstract: The object of the invention is a process and a global system for the transportation of people using shared individual vehicles, where multiple vehicles (5) are put to the disposition of a population of users for the purpose of commuting within a territory equipped with multiple parking structures (T) with an automated means to return and retrieve a vehicle. According to the invention. serving an urban district whose territory is equipped with a public transportation network (R. M), the parking structures (T) are situated at a short distance.

Abstract: A height sensor 26 and an image recognizing section 28 are installed in a teaching unit 24; the height sensor 26 contacts a pin 30a on a load port 4 to detect the height position of the pin 30a and the image recognizing section 28 recognizes a pin 30c and thus its horizontal plane position. A platform 16 of an overhead travelling carriage 8 grips and lowers the teaching unit 24 toward the load port 4. The height sensor 26 then detects the height of the load port 4. Then, the teaching unit 24 is slightly raised. The horizontal plane position of the pin 30c is recognized and averaged over a time equal to at least the vibration period of the platform 16. As a result, the position of the load port can be accurately taught to the overhead travelling carriage 8 without preparations such as the installation of marks on the load port.

Abstract: In a first aspect, a substrate loading station is served by a conveyor which continuously transports substrate carriers. A substrate carrier handler that is part of the substrate loading station operates to exchange substrate carriers with the conveyor while the conveyor is in motion. A carrier exchange procedure may include moving an end effector of the substrate carrier handler at a velocity that substantially matches a velocity of the conveyor. Numerous other aspects are provided.

Abstract: In a first aspect, a substrate loading station is served by a conveyor which continuously transports substrate carriers. A substrate carrier handler that is part of the substrate loading station operates to exchange substrate carriers with the conveyor while the conveyor is in motion. A carrier exchange procedure may include moving an end effector of the substrate carrier handler at a velocity that substantially matches a velocity of the conveyor. Numerous other aspects are provided.

Abstract: In a first aspect, a substrate loading station is served by a conveyor which continuously transports substrate carriers. A substrate carrier handler that is part of the substrate loading station operates to exchange substrate carriers with the conveyor while the conveyor is in motion. A carrier exchange procedure may include moving an end effector of the substrate carrier handler at a velocity that substantially matches a velocity of the conveyor. Numerous other aspects are provided.

Abstract: A system for parking automobiles in a garage which uses a single-drive mechanism to simultaneously move automobile platforms. The automobile platforms reside in contiguous storage towers and are stacked in multiple levels. The automobile platforms simultaneously move in the towers. In one tower, the platforms move upward while the platforms in the other tower move downward. The automobile platforms rest on movement chains which move vertically among the various levels. The automobile platforms are moved from the vertical movement chains to a lateral movement means to move horizontally from tower to tower. The vertical movement system is powered by single-drive mechanism through a series of gears, sprockets and chains. Horizontal movement in the upper and lower lateral transfer areas is done by a lateral movement means.

Abstract: A structural support system for vehicle storage has two independent means to rotate a two-deck inclinable structure about a pivot on a stationary structure. The inclinable structure does not change shape when it is tilted and contains a compression member which connects the upper and lower decks. Four tension members are provided to connect the bottom of the compression member with the four corners of the upper deck. A force sensor is used to calibrate the forces in the tension rods to constrain the compression member from deflecting when the decks are loaded, enabling a significant increase in the safe dynamic load carrying capability of the inclinable structure. The system includes an automatic vehicle restraining mechanism to prevent movement of the vehicle when inclined away from horizontal. A secondary cable system operates in parallel with the primary rotation means to counteract the empty weight of the inclinable structure.

Abstract: A tri-level parking apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a frame having a pair of spaced apart vertical stanchions. First and second parking platforms are disposed between the stanchions and can be slidably moved up or down along the stanchions. Piston/cylinder assemblies are provided for independently lifting the first parking platform from a lower position, to an intermediate position and ultimately to an uppermost position. Similarly, the piston/cylinder assemblies enable independent lifting of the lower platform from a lowermost position to the intermediate position.

Abstract: A multi-floor elevating parking station constructed of a stable frame set under ground and containing a parking frame which is divided horizontally into a plurality of parking rooms or floors with steel plates. The parking frame can be raised up and down to make each floor or each parking room even with the ground surface so that a car can be parked in or driven out. Besides, the top steel plate of the parking frame can be used as a drive-way when the parking frame is lowered down to the bottom of the stable frame.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide, for use on a limited site, an integrated architectural structure comprising particular personal occupancy space, particular automotive vehicle parking space, and particular access space communicating therebetween, all intimately juxtaposed. The personal occupancy space contains a plurality of personal occupancy units, i./e. apartments or offices, and at least one personal occupancy elevator and stairwell. The vehicle parking space contains one or more elevator lifts of specific design, namely, a lift that is movable only vertically and that includes a vertical array of levels, each level of which includes a horizontal array of automotive vehicle locations. Movement of this parking lift to selected vertical positions is such that selected levels of the vertical array communicate with the access level at selected times for vehicle storage or vehicle retrieval.

Abstract: A device for parking automobiles comprises two interconnected superimposed platforms which may be lifted and tilted to provide ground level access to either platform and fixed rail tracks and guideways on each side of the platforms. One of the trackways is fixed and the other is connected to the platforms which themselves co-operate with a fixed guide element.

Abstract: A roof-covered multi-story elevator-type garage having at least two vertically moveable platforms with one situated above the other by a distance to at least accommodate an automotive vehicle. Each one of the platforms is vertically shiftable to an access level. A garage roof is attached at least in one region to the uppermost of the platforms and is capable of moving vertically with the platform when said uppermost platform is raised to a certain position in its vertical upward movement.

Abstract: In an apparatus for parking vehicles in vertically arranged pairs, there is provided a base frame including two spaced stanchions. Each stanchion includes a generally vertically extending portion secured to the base frame at the lower end thereof, and with the upper end of the stanchion being inclined at an acute angle of approximately 12.degree. to the vertical. Each stanchion incorporates an elongated guide for slidably receiving a slide associated with a platform that is dimensioned to receive a vehicle, and which is elevated between a generally horizontal, lowered position to a slightly inclined elevated position by a hydraulic actuator in order to elevate the platform to enable a second vehicle to be parked beneath the platform. In the elevated position of the platform, the vehicle is prevented from rolling off the platform by engagement of one set of tires with a chock disposed on the platform, and by virtue of the inclination of the platform.