Fluidically supported and fluidically driven turntable

Abstract

A method and apparatus for rotatably supporting and driving phonograph records, memory disks or the like while substantially reducing if not eliminating the undesirable effects of mechanical vibrations and drive speed fluctuations. A support frame houses a tank which holds a quantity of liquid such as a mixture of silicon oil and water. A first generally circular member having a plurality of spaced vanes thereon is mounted within the tank adjacent the bottom thereof so that it can be positively rotatably driven from a drive mechanism external to the tank. A second generally circular member having a plurality of spaced vanes thereon is positioned vertically above the first member so that it is supported solely upon the liquid and so that it is free to rotate with respect thereto without any mechanical interconnection to the first member. At least a portion of the vanes of the second member extend downwardly into the liquid but remain vertically spaced apart from the vanes of the first member. When the first member is positively driven, it causes the liquid to circulate within the tank. The rotatively circulating liquid acts as a fluid coupling to rotatably drive the second member as well. The nature of the fluid coupling, the absence of any direct mechanical linkage between the members, and the flywheel effect achieved by the apparatus of the present invention substantially reduce if not eliminate the undesirable effects normally attributable to mechanical vibrations and drive speed fluctuations.