Magnetically stabilized precision table and load-carrying bearings

A precision moving table system for transverse translation and comprising:

• first and second relatively movable table members, the first member supporting the second member at respective opposing surfaces of the members, at least one of said members comprising a magnet;
• and
• a first set of rolling elements held firmly, by magnetic force developed by the magnet, between the opposing surfaces of the members for fully rolling motion along both members to support the second member in transverse translation;
• wherein:
• at least some of the rolling elements roll along the magnet;
• and
• said members and rolling elements are configured for said transverse translation through a practically useful distance.

A precision moving table system for transverse translation and comprising:

• first and second relatively movable table members, the first member supporting the second member at respective opposing surfaces of the members, at least one of said members comprising a magnet;
• and
• a first set of rolling elements held firmly, by magnetic force developed by the magnet, between the opposing surfaces of the members for fully rolling motion along both members to support the second member in transverse translation;
• wherein:
• at least some of the rolling elements roll along the magnet;
• and
• one of the table members is distinctly longer than a second of the table members, along a direction of the transverse translation.

A precision moving table system for transverse translation and comprising:

• first and second relatively movable table members, the first member supporting the second member at respective opposing surfaces of the members, at least one of said members comprising a magnet;
• and
• a first set of rolling elements held firmly, by magnetic force developed by the magnet, between the opposing surfaces of the members for fully rolling motion along both members to support the second member in transverse translation;
• wherein:
• at least some of the rolling elements roll along the magnet;
• and
• one of the table members is at least 1.2 times longer than a second of the table members, along a direction of the transverse translation.

A precision moving table system for constrained transverse translational motion and comprising:

• first and second relatively movable table members, the first member supporting the second member at respective opposing surfaces of the members, at least one of said members comprising a magnet;
• a first set of rolling elements held firmly, by magnetic force developed by the magnet, between the opposing surfaces of the members for fully rolling motion along both members to support the second member in transverse translation;
• and
• a first transverse guide surface fixed to one member and engaging the other member to constrain transverse relative motion of the members;
• wherein at least some of the rolling elements roll along the magnet.

A moving table system comprising:

• relatively movable table members, at least one of said members comprising a magnet;
• a first one of said members defining a pair of interfaces, each interface being shaped and oriented for constraining relative movement between the members with regard to at least one direction of motion respectively;
• a second one of said members shaped and disposed to fit at said interfaces;
• and
• rolling elements held firmly, by magnetic force developed by the at least one magnet, between the members at both interfaces, for fully rolling motion along both members at both interfaces.

A precision moving table system for transverse translation and comprising:

• relatively movable table members, at least one of said members comprising a magnet;
• and
• at least one series of rolling elements held firmly, by magnetic force developed by the magnet, along a path between the members;
• wherein:
• magnetic flux passes directly through the rolling elements of the series to complete a magnetic circuit;
• and
• the rolling elements occupy fifty to ninety-five percent of the distance along the rolling-element path.