Patent ID: 6226075
Filing Date: 2001-05-01
Classification: F16C,F16F,G03F

Abstract:
A supporting device for supporting a supported structure relative to a supporting structure, said device comprising:a first part provided on the supporting structure,a second part provided on the supported structure,an intermediate part provided on one of said first and second parts, said intermediate part providing an inner cylindrical wall bounding a pressure chamber;a piston provided on the other of said first and second parts, said piston being displaceable in said pressure chamber such that said piston and said chamber cooperate to define a gas spring constructed and arranged to support said first part relative to said second part parallel to a support direction;wherein said piston is supported with respect to the cylindrical inner wall in directions perpendicular to the support direction by a static gas bearing which is present between the inner wall and an outer wall of the piston, said static gas bearing (a) sealing said gas spring between said inner and outer walls and (b) maintaining said inner wall and said outer wall in spaced apart relation to prevent a transmission of vibrations between said inner and outer walls in said support direction, andwherein said intermediate part is supported with respect to the aforesaid one of said first part and said second part in directions parallel to the support direction by a further static gas bearing positioned between opposing surfaces of said intermediate part and the aforesaid one of said first part and said second part, said further static gas bearing maintaining said opposing surfaces in spaced apart relation to prevent a transmission of vibrations therebetween perpendicular to said support direction.