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 condition, for locally
discharging mass flow, thus obtaining uniform support and local nature
response.