Anti-Gravity Device for Supporting Weight and Reducing Transmissibility
First Claim
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1. An apparatus comprising:
- a first structure;
a second structure, the second structure having at least one associated air bearing; and
an anti-gravity device, the anti-gravity device including a first magnet and a piston arrangement that includes a second magnet, the first magnet being coupled to the first structure, the piston arrangement being movably interfaced with the second structure through the associated air bearing, wherein the first magnet and the piston arrangement cooperate to support the first structure over the second structure relative to a vertical axis.
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Abstract
Methods and apparatus for supporting the weight of a first stage of a stage apparatus using magnets are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, and apparatus includes a first structure, a second structure, and an anti-gravity device. The anti-gravity device has a first magnet and a piston arrangement that includes a second magnet. The first magnet is coupled to the first structure, and the piston arrangement is movably interfaced with the second structure through an air bearing. The first magnet and the piston arrangement cooperate to support the first structure over the second structure relative to a vertical axis.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. An apparatus comprising:
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a first structure;
a second structure, the second structure having at least one associated air bearing; and
an anti-gravity device, the anti-gravity device including a first magnet and a piston arrangement that includes a second magnet, the first magnet being coupled to the first structure, the piston arrangement being movably interfaced with the second structure through the associated air bearing, wherein the first magnet and the piston arrangement cooperate to support the first structure over the second structure relative to a vertical axis. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A stage apparatus comprising:
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a first stage arrangement, the first stage arrangement being arranged to support an object to be positioned;
a second stage arrangement, the second stage arrangement having at least one associated air bearing; and
an anti-gravity device, the anti-gravity device including a first magnet and a piston arrangement that includes a second magnet, the first magnet being coupled to the first stage arrangement, the piston arrangement being movably interfaced with the second stage arrangement through the associated air bearing, wherein the first magnet and the piston arrangement cooperate to support the first stage arrangement over the second stage arrangement relative to a vertical axis such that the first stage arrangement may move with the second stage arrangement and independently of the second stage arrangement. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method for controlling a vertical position of a first stage arrangement relative to a second stage arrangement, the first stage arrangement be supported in a vertical direction over the second stage arrangement by an anti-gravity device, the anti-gravity device including a first magnet coupled to the first stage arrangement and a piston arrangement that includes a second magnet, the piston arrangement being movably interfaced with the second stage arrangement through an air bearing, the first magnet being arranged substantially above the second magnet, the method comprising:
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generating a magnet force relative to the first magnet and the second magnet; and
generating a balancing force in response to the magnet force, wherein the balancing force and the magnet force cooperate to support the first stage arrangement over the second stage arrangement. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification