Patent ID: 8064107

Claim:
A guide rail system for mitigating effects of thermal distortion which occur in between an initial temperature and an operating temperature during linear translation along a translation axis of at least two meters in length of a bi-directionally driven mobile device being disposed on said guide rail system such that said mobile device remains in a substantially constant, temperature independent, spaced apart relationship to a planar surface, said guide rail system comprising: a structure having a first anchor point and a second anchor point; and at least one flexible tension rod being attached to said structure wherein said tension rod has a first end attached to said first anchor point and a second end attached to said second anchor point, said mobile device being carried on said flexible tension rod with unrestrained movement along said flexible tension rod and with substantially constrained movement rotationally about said flexible tension rod, said flexible tension rod being attached to said structure with a preload tension selected at said initial temperature such that said flexible tension rod becomes aligned commensurately with said translation axis and maintains substantial alignment with said translation axis irrespective of thermally induced distortion of said structure occurring between said initial temperature and said operating temperature, said structure having sufficient strength and integrity to maintain tension within said flexible tension rod at said initial temperature.