Inventors:
Bohdan W. Siryj - Cinnaminson NJ
Assignee:
RCA Corporation - Princeton NJ
International Classification:
G01N 106, G11B 338
Abstract:
A low-friction slide apparatus for use with the translation stage of an optical disc recording/playback system is disclosed. The apparatus includes a rail which is fixed in position. The rail includes porous strips affixed to two orthogonal sides along its longitudinal dimension. A plurality of passages between the rail and the porous strips permits air to be forced outwardly through the pores of the strip material. The slide member, which is movably mounted on the rail, has bearing surfaces adjacent the porous strips attached to the rail. Permanent magnets mounted along these bearing surfaces maintain an attractive force between the slide and the rail, countering the force direction of the air flow, thus providing a low-friction bearing film of compressed air. A linear motor included in the rail and slide member induces motion of the slide along the rail. In a second embodiment, the attractive force which counters the force direction of the air flow is provided by a vacuum in the rail which pulls the two slide member bearing surfaces toward the rail.