Patent ID: 6655672
Filing Date: 2003-12-02
Classification: F16C,G01B

Abstract:
An air bearing drive system comprising:a moving portion adapted for at least one of a rotational motion and a linear motion; a base for supporting the moving portion; an air bearing comprising an air film gap, between the base and the moving portion, for supporting the moving portion on the base; at least one air nozzle, formed on the base and facing the moving portion, adapted to form the air film gap by blowing air toward the moving portion and thereby exerting a levitation force on the moving portion; means for supplying air to the air nozzle; at least one suction inlet, formed on the base and facing the moving portion, for exerting an attraction force on the moving portion so as to attract the moving portion toward the base; means for attracting the moving portion toward the base via the suction inlet; and first and second adjusting means, said first adjusting means being adapted to adjust the levitation force produced by the air blowing from the air nozzle, and the second adjusting means being adapted to adjust the attraction force from the suction inlet.