The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for determining the position of a substrate within a closed chamber, wherein the substrate is moved within the chamber by a transport system comprising at least one rotating shaft. A load-converting element is provided adjacent to at least one of the rotating shafts, wherein the load-converting element detects a load acting on the at least one rotating shaft and converts it into an electrical parameter. While no substrate is present on the at least one rotating shaft, a first output signal corresponding to a first value of the electrical parameter is measured. The output signal is then monitored and a presence of the substrate on the at least one rotating shaft is detected when the output signal differs from the first output signal by at least a predetermined amount.

A conveyor (1) has rollers (12) for conveying a load (100) along a conveying direction (C). A stop (20) is configured to be arranged in a separating configuration, in which the load (100) is impeded from being conveyed along the conveying direction (C), and a conveying configuration, in which the load (100) can be conveyed along the conveying direction (C). A trigger (30) is configured to move between a triggered position and an idle position. The trigger (30) is configured so that the load (100) moving in the conveying direction (C) onto the trigger (30) moves the trigger (30) out of the idle position and into the triggered position, thereby arranging the stop (20) in the separating configuration. A counter element (50) is configured to move the trigger (30) out of the idle position when the load (100) is conveyed on the rollers (12) against the conveying direction (C).

A conveyor (1) has rollers (12) for conveying a load (100) along a conveying direction (C). A stop (20) is configured to be arranged in a separating configuration, in which the load (100) is impeded from being conveyed along the conveying direction (C), and a conveying configuration, in which the load (100) can be conveyed along the conveying direction (C). A trigger (30) is configured to move between a triggered position and an idle position. The trigger (30) is configured so that the load (100) moving in the conveying direction (C) onto the trigger (30) moves the trigger (30) out of the idle position and into the triggered position, thereby arranging the stop (20) in the separating configuration. A counter element (50) is configured to move the trigger (30) out of the idle position when the load (100) is conveyed on the rollers (12) against the conveying direction (C).

A system for moving loads, in particular within an aircraft, comprising: a cargo hold floor, at least one row of rollers including a plurality of rollers integrated into the floor one behind another, at least one guide rail in the floor extending substantially parallel to the row of rollers, and at least one transport vehicle removably received in and movable along the guide rail. At least one coupling arrangement selectively couples the vehicle with a load arranged on the row of rollers, the load being movable with the vehicle. At least one locking arrangement, in an active state, locking the load relative to the floor and, in a non-active state, allowing a relative movement between the load and the floor. The vehicle operates the locking arrangement according to at least one of the following: so that it assumes the active state; and, so that it assumes the non-active state.

A system for moving loads, in particular within an aircraft, comprising: a cargo hold floor, at least one row of rollers including a plurality of rollers integrated into the floor one behind another, at least one guide rail in the floor extending substantially parallel to the row of rollers, and at least one transport vehicle removably received in and movable along the guide rail. At least one coupling arrangement selectively couples the vehicle with a load arranged on the row of rollers, the load being movable with the vehicle. At least one locking arrangement, in an active state, locking the load relative to the floor and, in a non-active state, allowing a relative movement between the load and the floor. The vehicle operates the locking arrangement according to at least one of the following: so that it assumes the active state; and, so that it assumes the non-active state.

A roller (3; 3) has a stationary rod (40) arranged along a longitudinal axis (L) and a tubular roller shell (10) arranged around the rod (40). At least one bearing assembly (20; 20) is arranged on the rod (40) so that the roller shell (10) can rotate about the longitudinal axis (L) of the roller (3; 3). An internal assembly (30; 30) is on the rod (40) within the roller shell (10) and is coupled to the roller shell (10) via the bearing assembly (20; 20). Thus, upon rotation of the roller shell (10), an exchange of force occurs between the internal assembly (30; 30) and the roller shell (10). The internal assembly (30; 30) is coupled to the bearing assembly (20; 20) by an end (31) that faces the bearing assembly (20; 20) so that the internal assembly (30; 30) can tilt relative to the bearing assembly (20; 20).

A roller (3; 3) has a stationary rod (40) arranged along a longitudinal axis (L) and a tubular roller shell (10) arranged around the rod (40). At least one bearing assembly (20; 20) is arranged on the rod (40) so that the roller shell (10) can rotate about the longitudinal axis (L) of the roller (3; 3). An internal assembly (30; 30) is on the rod (40) within the roller shell (10) and is coupled to the roller shell (10) via the bearing assembly (20; 20). Thus, upon rotation of the roller shell (10), an exchange of force occurs between the internal assembly (30; 30) and the roller shell (10). The internal assembly (30; 30) is coupled to the bearing assembly (20; 20) by an end (31) that faces the bearing assembly (20; 20) so that the internal assembly (30; 30) can tilt relative to the bearing assembly (20; 20).

A load-conveying and transport apparatus includes a first frame, a conveyor carried by the first frame, and a second frame mounted to the first frame for movement between lowered and raised positions relative to the conveyor. The second frame lies below the conveyor, when the second frame is in the lowered position relative to the conveyor. The second frame lies proud of the conveyor, when the second frame is in the raised position relative to the conveyor. The conveyor is for conveying a load placed thereon without interference from the second frame, when the second frame is in the lowered position relative to the conveyor. The second frame is for supporting the load placed thereon above the conveyor for disabling the conveyor from conveying the load, when the second frame is in the raised position.

A load-conveying and transport apparatus includes a first frame, a conveyor carried by the first frame, and a second frame mounted to the first frame for movement between lowered and raised positions relative to the conveyor. The second frame lies below the conveyor, when the second frame is in the lowered position relative to the conveyor. The second frame lies proud of the conveyor, when the second frame is in the raised position relative to the conveyor. The conveyor is for conveying a load placed thereon without interference from the second frame, when the second frame is in the lowered position relative to the conveyor. The second frame is for supporting the load placed thereon above the conveyor for disabling the conveyor from conveying the load, when the second frame is in the raised position.

A conveyor (1) has rollers (12) for conveying a load (100) along a conveying direction (C). A stop (20) is configured to be arranged in a separating configuration, in which the load (100) is impeded from being conveyed along the conveying direction (C), and a conveying configuration, in which the load (100) can be conveyed along the conveying direction (C). A trigger (30) is configured to move between a triggered position and an idle position. The trigger (30) is configured so that the load (100) moving in the conveying direction (C) onto the trigger (30) moves the trigger (30) out of the idle position and into the triggered position, thereby arranging the stop (20) in the separating configuration. A counter element (50) is configured to move the trigger (30) out of the idle position when the load (100) is conveyed on the rollers (12) against the conveying direction (C).