Patent ID: 7530778

Claim:
A non-contact support platform for supporting without contact a stationary or traveling object by air-cushion induced forces, the platform comprising: at least one of two substantially opposite support surfaces, each support surface comprising a plurality of basic cells each having at least one of a plurality of pressure outlets and at least one of a plurality of air-evacuation channels, each of the pressure outlets fluidically connected through a pressure flow restrictor to a high-pressure reservoir, the pressure outlets providing pressurized air for generating pressure induced forces, maintaining an air-cushion between the object and the support surface, the pressure flow restrictor characteristically exhibiting fluidic return spring behavior; each of said at least one of a plurality of air-evacuation channels having an inlet and outlet, the inlet kept at an ambient pressure or lower pressure under vacuum condition, wherein the pressure flow restrictor comprises a conduit, having an inlet and outlet, provided with two opposite sets of fins mounted on the inside of the conduit, each two fins of same set and a portion of the conduit internal wall between them defining a cavity and the fin of the opposite set positioned opposite said cavity.