Patent ID: 6361268
Filing Date: 2002-03-26
Classification: B65G,F16C,G03F,H01L

Abstract:
A frictionless transport apparatus for linear transport of an object from a first to a second station or position, comprisinga frame extending between the first and second stations, a carriage mounted for linear movement along said frame in a levitated condition, while carrying an object between the first and second stations, frame and carriage biasing magnets mounted on said frame and carriage, respectively, for suspending a substantial portion of the weight of the carriage and the object supported thereon by magnetic attraction between the frame and carriage biasing magnets, diamagnetic stabilizing means for stabilizing the suspended condition of the carriage on said frame, as the carriage moves therealong, said stabilizing means including a magnetic array extending between said first and second stations on said frame, and a diamagnetic plate mounted on said carriage, with at least a portion of the plate confronting and being disposed proximate to at least a portion of said array, as the carriage moves along said track, wherein magnetic interaction between said diamagnetic plate and the magnetic array acts to resist movement of the plate toward the array, and drive means for moving the carriage, with such in a levitated condition, along the frame between the first and second stations.