Patent ID: 7581608

Claim:
A levitating platform comprising: a flow means for generating a fluid flow, the flow means further comprising a fluid flow port and a fluid flow conduit connected at its first end to the fluid flow port and at its second end to a source of fluid, the fluid flow directed towards an opposing surface; and platform structure for arranging the flow means, the platform structure having an extended flow surface generally surrounding the flow means, the platform structure further having a protuberance boundary around the extended flow surface, the extended surface, the protuberance boundary and the opposing surface cooperating to form a generally closed fluid plenum, wherein the flow of the fluid flow past the extended surface and the protuberance boundary creates positive and negative pressure within the fluid plenum such that the positive pressure generates a repelling action between the platform structure and the opposing surface and the negative pressure generates an attractive action between the platform structure and the opposing surface.