A system and method for conveying and for accurately handling a generally flat object employing a plurality of support elements. The system comprises: a plurality of vacuum preload drive wheels arranged in one or more drive units, each drive unit comprising at least one vacuum preload drive wheel; one or more vacuum ports located on one or more counter plates adjacent each of the vacuum preload drive wheels, for applying induced holding down forces on the object. The vacuum ports of each drive unit are fluidically connected to a main vacuum pipe with controllable valve to a vacuum source. When the main vacuum pipe is connected to a vacuum source the normal force between the object and the vacuum preload drive wheels is increased and accordingly the lateral drive force is increased.
A thermal treatment system comprising at least one apparatus for thermally treating an object, the apparatus comprising: one platform or two substantially opposite platforms, where at least one of the platforms has at least one thermal means for heating or cooling of the object; and at least one of the platforms has fluid-mechanical means for supporting the object without contact. The platform has an active surface comprising at least one of a plurality of basic cells, each basic cell having at least one of a plurality of pressure outlets and at least one of a plurality of fluid-evacuation channels. At least one of the pressure outlets of each basic cell is fluidically connected through a flow restrictor to a high-pressure fluid supply, the pressure outlets providing pressurized fluid for maintaining a fluid-cushion between the object and the active-surface of the platform. The flow restrictor characteristically exhibits fluidic return spring behavior. Each of the evacuation channels has an inlet and outlet, for locally balancing mass flow for the basic cells.
B05B 1/24 - Nozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means incorporating means for heating the liquid or other fluent material, e.g. electrically
C23C 16/00 - Chemical coating by decomposition of gaseous compounds, without leaving reaction products of surface material in the coating, i.e. chemical vapour deposition [CVD] processes
A47J 45/00 - Devices for fastening or gripping kitchen utensils
B65G 25/00 - Conveyors comprising a cyclically-moving, e.g. reciprocating, carrier or impeller which is disengaged from the load during the return part of its movement
A non-contact support apparatus for fluid treatment of a stationary or traveling object while supporting the object without contact by fluid- cushion induced forces. The apparatus comprises substantially opposite non-contact platforms having support surfaces, each support surface comprising a plurality of basic cells each cell having a plurality of pressure outlets and a plurality of fluid-evacuation channels. Each of the pressure outlets is fluidically connected through a flow restrictor to a high-pressure fluid supply, the pressure outlets providing pressurized fluid for generating pressure induced forces, maintaining a fluid-cushion between the object and the support surface of the platform The flow restrictor characteristically exhibits fluidic return spring behavior. Each of the plurality of fluid- evacuation channels has an inlet and outlet, for locally balancing mass flow for a plurality of basic cells.
G11B 11/00 - Recording on, or reproducing from, the same record carrier wherein for these two operations the methods or means are covered by different main groups of groups or by different subgroups of group Record carriers therefor
4.
Non-contact support platforms for distance adjustment
An apparatus for supporting a stationary or moving substantially flat object without physical contact on an fluid-cushion. The object floats on a fluid cushion gap, the apparatus aimed for globally or locally adjusting the gap. The apparatus comprising: a first platform for supporting the object without contact, the platform having a substantially flat active surface comprised of one or more sectors, each sector comprising at least one of a plurality of basic cells, each basic cell having at least one of a plurality of pressure outlets fluidically connected through a pressure flow restrictors to a higher-pressure manifold associated with the sector in which the basic cell lies, the higher-pressure manifold is fluidically connected through main supply pipeline to pressurized fluid supply and at least one of a plurality of fluid-evacuation channels fluidically connected to a lower-pressure manifold associated with the sector in which the basic cell lies having main evacuation pipeline; wherein the flow restrictor characteristically exhibiting fluidic return spring behavior; and wherein at least one pressure control valve is interposed with at least one of the two main pipelines of at least one sector for controlling pressure levels of at least one of the two manifolds of that sector.
A system and method for conveying and for accurately handling a generally flat object employing a plurality of support elements. The system comprises: a plurality of vacuum preload drive wheels (120) arranged in one or more drive units (122), each drive unit (122) comprising at least one vacuum preload drive wheel(120); one or more vacuum ports located on one or more counter plates (200) adjacent each of the vacuum preload drive wheels (120), for applying induced hold down forces on the object. The vacuum ports (210) of each drive unit (122) are fluidically connected to a main vacuum pipe with a controllable valve to a vacuum source. When the main vacuum pipe is connected to a vacuum source the normal force between the object and the vacuum preload drive wheels (120) is increased and accordingly the lateral drive force is increased.
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