Patent ID: 8179019
Filing Date: 2012-05-15
Classification: B82Y,G01Q,G11B,H02N

Abstract:
1. Positioning apparatus comprising: a first surface; a tubular body having a longitudinal axis and a first end surface at a first end of the tubular body, the first end surface being arranged in contact with the first surface; and surface wave generation means arranged to generate a first travelling surface wave on the first end surface, the first travelling surface wave travelling along a first portion of the first end surface in a first direction around the first end surface, and, while the first travelling surface wave is travelling along the first portion of the first end surface, to generate a second travelling surface wave on the first end surface, the second travelling surface wave travelling along a second portion of the first end surface in a second direction around the first end surface, the second direction being opposite to the first direction, such that interaction between the first surface and the first and second travelling surface waves effects relative movement between the first surface and the tubular body.