Mechanical translator with ultra low friction ferrofluid bearings
AssigneeInnovative Technology Licensing, LLC
InventorJeffrey T. Cheung
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A mechanical translator includes at least one magnet that is disposed on a substrate to carry a load and has a magnetic axis generally transverse to the substrate, establishing a magnetic field with maximum external density adjacent the substrate. An ultra low friction interface is obtained with ferrofluid bearings, such as a light mineral oil medium mixed with isoparaffinic acid, which establish a critical angle of displacement from a horizontal static position of less than 1 degree, and preferably less than 10 minutes. A controller of magnetic material can be placed on the opposite side of the substrate to control the movement of the magnets.
Claims55
A mechanical translator, comprising:
- a substrate, and
- a magnet disposed for movement on said substrate, said magnet arranged to carry a load and having a magnetic axis generally transverse to said substrate.
A mechanical translator, comprising:
- a substrate, and
- a magnet disposed for movement on said substrate, said magnet arranged to carry a load and establishing a magnetic field which has its maximum external density adjacent said substrate.
A mechanical translator, comprising:
- a substrate, and
- a plurality of magnets disposed for movement on said substrate and carrying a platform, said magnets having respective magnetic axes generally transverse to said substrate.
A mechanical translator, comprising:
- a substrate, and
- a plurality of magnets disposed for movement on said substrate and carrying a platform, said magnets establishing respective magnetic fields which have their maximum external densities adjacent said substrate.
Vapor deposition apparatus, comprising:
- a vacuum chamber having a floor,
- at least one magnet disposed for movement on said floor and carrying a platform for a substrate, each magnet having a magnetic axis generally transverse to said floor,
- a vapor source for depositing a thin film on a substrate carried by said platform, and
- a controller of magnetic material outside said chamber on the opposite side of said floor from said magnets, said controller arranged to translate to impart a corresponding translation to said magnets and platform.
A mechanical translator, comprising:
- a substrate, and
- at least one magnet disposed for movement on said substrate and arranged to carry a load, each magnet having a magnetic axis at an angle of at least 45° to said substrate and a critical angle of displacement from a horizontal static position of less than 1 degree.
An ultra low friction ferrofluid mixture, comprising:
- a light mineral oil medium,
- isoparaffinic acid mixed with said light mineral oil, and magnetizable nanoparticles suspended in said mixture.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.