Patent ID: 7383929
Filing Date: 2008-06-10
Classification: F16F,H02K

Abstract:
1. A supporting apparatus for supporting a member, which mounts a movable stage, above a base, said apparatus comprising: a permanent magnet arranged on one of the member and the base; a pair of permanent magnets arranged on the other of the member and the base, and arranged so that said permanent magnet is interposed therebetween; and a linear motor which is arranged between the member and the base, and provides a force which acts on the member, wherein magnetized directions of said permanent magnet and said pair of permanent magnets are perpendicular to a gravity direction, which is a direction of gravity acting on the member, and a width of said pair of permanent magnets is different from a width of said permanent magnet in a direction perpendicular to the magnetized directions and the gravity direction, and said permanent magnet and said pair of permanent magnets are configured to generate a force in the gravity direction and to support the member above the base in the gravity direction through the force.