Abstract: An adjustable support arm device includes a plurality of segments. Ball-and-socket joints each connect two adjacent segments. Each joint includes a plurality of interleaved friction layers between a ball and a socket of that joint. A locking mechanism applies a normal force to the friction layers to lock the joints, the mechanism being releasable to enable bending of the joints.

Abstract: An adjustable support arm device includes a plurality of segments. Ball-and-socket joints each connect two adjacent segments. Each joint includes a plurality of interleaved friction layers between a ball and a socket of that joint. A locking mechanism applies a normal force to the friction layers to lock the joints, the mechanism being releasable to enable bending of the joints.

Abstract: A non-contact support platform system is provided for supporting a substantially flat object. The system includes a platform with a first plurality of pressure ports and a first plurality of vacuum ports for inducing a fluid cushion to support the object at a distance from the platform. The system further includes a second plurality of pressure ports located at a predetermined zone of the platform for increasing the distance of the object from the platform at the predetermined zone.

Abstract: A non-contact support platform system is provided for supporting a substantially flat object. The system includes a platform with a first plurality of pressure ports and a first plurality of vacuum ports for inducing a fluid cushion to support the object at a distance from the platform. The system further includes a second plurality of pressure ports located at a predetermined zone of the platform for increasing the distance of the object from the platform at the predetermined zone.

Abstract: A non-contact support platform system is provided for supporting a substantially flat object. The system includes a platform with a first plurality of pressure ports and a first plurality of vacuum ports for inducing a fluid cushion to support the object at a distance from the platform. The system further includes a second plurality of pressure ports located at a predetermined zone of the platform for increasing the distance of the object from the platform at the predetermined zone.

Abstract: A non-contact support platform system is provided for supporting a substantially flat object. The system includes a platform with a first plurality of pressure ports and a first plurality of vacuum ports for inducing a fluid cushion to support the object at a distance from the platform. The system further includes a second plurality of pressure ports located at a predetermined zone of the platform for increasing the distance of the object from the platform at the predetermined zone.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A non-contact support platform for supporting without contact a stationary or traveling object by air-cushion induced forces, the platform comprising at least one of two substantially opposite support surfaces, each support surfaces comprising at least one of a plurality of basic cells each having at least one of a plurality of pressure outlets and at least one of a plurality of air-evacuation channels at least one of a plurality of outlets, and one of a plurality of air-evacuation channels, each of the pressure outlets fluidically connected through a pressure flow restrictor to a high-pressure reservoir, the pressure outlets providing pressurized air for generating pressure induced forces, maintaining an air-cushion between the object and the support surface, the pressure flow restrictor characteristically exhibiting fluidic return spring behavior; each of said at least one of a plurality of air-evacuation channels having an inlet and outlet, the inlet kept at an ambient pressure or lower, under vacuum condi

Abstract: 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 f low restrictor characteristically exhibits fluidic return spring behavior.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A cleaning device for removing contaminants from a surface of an object to be cleaned, the device adapted to be fluidically connected to a high-pressure gas supply. The device comprises at least one high-pressure passage with a predetermined miniature lateral scale with a high-pressure outlet for accelerating the gas. The high-pressure outlet characterized by at least one narrow lip, where the outlet and the narrow lip defining an active surface. When the active surface of the cleaning device is brought to a predetermined miniature gap from, and substantially parallel to, the surface, thus defining a throat section between the narrow lip and the surface of the object to be cleaned and the gas accelerated to about sonic speeds at the throat section, lateral aeromechanic removal forces are produced that act on the contaminants.

Abstract: A non-contact support platform for supporting without contact a stationary or traveling object by air-cushion induced forces, the platform comprising at least one of two substantially opposite support surfaces, each support surface comprising at least one of a plurality of basic cells each having at least one of a plurality of pressure outlets and at least one of a plurality of air-evacuation channels at least one of a plurality of outlets, and one of a plurality of air-evacuation channels, each of the pressure outlets fluidically connected through a pressure flow restrictor to a high-pressure reservoir, the pressure outlets providing pressurized air for generating pressure induced forces, maintaining an air-cushion between the object and the support surface, the pressure flow restrictor characteristically exhibiting fluidic return spring behavior; each of said at least one of a plurality of air-evacuation channels having an inlet and outlet, the inlet kept at an ambient pressure or lower, under vacuum condit

Abstract: A cleaning device for removing contaminants from a surface of an object to be cleaned, the device adapted to be fluidically connected to a high-pressure gas supply. The device comprises at least one high-pressure passage with a predetermined miniature lateral scale with a high-pressure outlet for accelerating the gas. The high-pressure outlet characterized by at least one narrow lip, where the outlet and the narrow lip defining an active surface. When the active surface of the cleaning device is brought to a predetermined miniature gap from, and substantially parallel to, the surface, thus defining a throat section between the narrow lip and the surface of the object to be cleaned and the gas accelerated to about sonic speeds at the throat section, lateral aeromechanic removal forces are produced that act on the contaminants.