Abstract: An active vibration isolation system for isolating a suspended platform from vibration input to the vibration isolation system base includes an exoskeleton, a rotary actuator, and a drive mechanism separate from the exoskeleton for providing force output from the rotary actuator to the suspended plant. The rotary actuator may include inner and outer rotors which rotate relative to each other. The rotary actuator may be free to translate relative to the vibration isolation system base and the suspended platform, and both the inner and outer rotors may be free to rotate relative to the exoskeleton.

Abstract: Active vibration isolation (AVI) systems are becoming more available in various markets, one such market being vehicle operator seating. Unfamiliarity with the performance of such systems may cause users initial perceptions of system performance to be unfavorable. AVI systems can include a demonstration system capable of providing simulations too users of various types of vibration isolation systems under various input conditions, so that users can be introduced to the system benefits over other systems before using an AVI equipped product in its intended application.

Abstract: Active vibration isolation (AVI) systems are becoming more available in various markets, one such market being vehicle operator seating. Unfamiliarity with the performance of such systems may cause users initial perceptions of system performance to be unfavorable. AVI systems can include a demonstration system capable of providing simulations too users of various types of vibration isolation systems under various input conditions, so that users can be introduced to the system benefits over other systems before using an AVI equipped product in its intended application.

Abstract: A seat system for a vehicle includes a seat having a seat bottom on which a person can sit. An intermediate support structure is secured to the seat and the vehicle which allows the seat to rotate relative to the vehicle. An actuator can interact with the seat to cause the seat to rotate relative to the vehicle. The combined motion of the vehicle relative to the earth and the seat relative to the vehicle results in motion of the seat moving about a virtual pivot point. A user control is provided for adjustment of the location of the virtual pivot point.

Abstract: A seat system for a vehicle includes a seat having a seat bottom on which a person can sit. An intermediate support structure is secured to the seat and the vehicle which allows the seat to rotate relative to the vehicle. An actuator can interact with the seat to cause the seat to rotate relative to the vehicle. The combined motion of the vehicle relative to the earth and the seat relative to the vehicle results in motion of the seat moving about a virtual pivot point. A user control is provided for adjustment of the location of the virtual pivot point.

Abstract: Active vibration isolation (AVI) systems are becoming more available in various markets, one such market being vehicle operator seating. Unfamiliarity with the performance of such systems may cause users initial perceptions of system performance to be unfavorable. AVI systems can include a demonstration system capable of providing simulations too users of various types of vibration isolation systems under various input conditions, so that users can be introduced to the system benefits over other systems before using an AVI equipped product in its intended application.

Abstract: Active vibration isolation (AVI) systems are becoming more available in various markets, one such market being vehicle operator seating. Unfamiliarity with the performance of such systems may cause users initial perceptions of system performance to be unfavorable. AVI systems can include a demonstration system capable of providing simulations too users of various types of vibration isolation systems under various input conditions, so that users can be introduced to the system benefits over other systems before using an AVI equipped product in its intended application.

Abstract: Active vibration isolation (AVVI) systems are becoming more available in various markets, one such market being vehicle operator seating. Unfamiliarity with the performance of such systems may cause users initial perceptions of system performance to be unfavorable. AVI systems can include a demonstration system capable of providing simulations too users of various types of vibration isolation systems under various input conditions, so that users can be introduced to the system benefits over other systems before using an AVI equipped product in its intended application.

Abstract: An active vibration isolation system for isolating a suspended platform from vibration input to the vibration isolation system base includes an exoskeleton which supports the suspended platform relative to the base. The exoskeleton includes first and second scissors mechanisms with main links of unequal length. The main links pass through a parallel condition as the suspended platform moves over its intended range of travel relative to the base. The vibration isolation system may include a rotary actuator and a drive mechanism separate from the exoskeleton for providing force output from the rotary actuator to the suspended platform. The rotary actuator may include inner and outer rotors which rotate relative to each other and may be free to rotate relative to the exoskeleton. The rotary actuator may be free to translate relative to the vibration isolation system base and the suspended platform.

Abstract: A method for controlling the operation of an active suspension system for a motor vehicle passenger seat, where the active suspension system comprises an actuator that is constructed and arranged to place force on the seat in a first degree of freedom and a control system that is responsive to a sensor system that detects motor vehicle accelerations in at least the first degree of freedom, where the sensor system comprises an accident detection system that detects motor vehicle accident conditions, where the control system provides control signals that cause the actuator to exert a force on the seat in the first degree of freedom, wherein in normal active suspension operation mode the actuator is controlled to output forces that reduce acceleration of the seat so as to counteract motions of the seat in the first degree of freedom.

Abstract: A seat system for a vehicle includes a seat having a seat bottom on which a person can sit. An intermediate support structure is secured to the seat and the vehicle which allows the seat to rotate relative to the vehicle. An actuator can interact with the seat to cause the seat to rotate relative to the vehicle. One or more sensors can each measure an aspect of motion. A processor can (i) receive input from each of the one or more sensors, (ii) determine from this input a measure of rotation of the vehicle away from a nominal, level horizontal orientation, and (iii) utilize the input to determine a desired rotation of the seat. An angle that the seat has been rotated away from a nominal, level orientation is more than insubstantially larger than an angle that the vehicle has rotated away from a nominal, level horizontal orientation.

Abstract: An active vibration isolation system for isolating a suspended platform from vibration input to the vibration isolation system base includes an exoskeleton which supports the suspended platform relative to the base. The exoskeleton includes first and second scissors mechanisms with main links of unequal length. The main links pass through a parallel condition as the suspended platform moves over its intended range of travel relative to the base. The vibration isolation system may include a rotary actuator and a drive mechanism separate from the exoskeleton for providing force output from the rotary actuator to the suspended platform. The rotary actuator may include inner and outer rotors which rotate relative to each other and may be free to rotate relative to the exoskeleton. The rotary actuator may be free to translate relative to the vibration isolation system base and the suspended platform.

Abstract: An active vibration isolation system for isolating a suspended platform from vibration input to the vibration isolation system base includes an exoskeleton, a rotary actuator, and a drive mechanism separate from the exoskeleton for providing force output from the rotary actuator to the suspended plant. The rotary actuator may include inner and outer rotors which rotate relative to each other. The rotary actuator may be free to translate relative to the vibration isolation system base and the suspended platform, and both the inner and outer rotors may be free to rotate relative to the exoskeleton.

Abstract: Active vibration isolation (AVVI) systems are becoming more available in various markets, one such market being vehicle operator seating. Unfamiliarity with the performance of such systems may cause users initial perceptions of system performance to be unfavorable. AVI systems can include a demonstration system capable of providing simulations too users of various types of vibration isolation systems under various input conditions, so that users can be introduced to the system benefits over other systems before using an AVI equipped product in its intended application.

Abstract: An active suspension system for a suspended device. The system has an electromagnetic actuator that produces force on the suspended device and that is powered by a power source, and a control system that provides control signals that cause the electromagnetic actuator to exert force on the suspended device. The control system is adapted to receive a turn-off signal that results in disabling the electromagnetic actuator from producing force on the suspended device. When the control system receives a turn-off signal it provides actuator turn-off control signals that cause the force exerted by the electromagnetic actuator to progressively transition to zero over a transition time period.

Abstract: An active suspension system for a suspended device. The system has an electromagnetic actuator that produces force on the suspended device and that is powered by a power source, and a control system that provides control signals that cause the electromagnetic actuator to exert force on the suspended device. The control system is adapted to receive a turn-off signal that results in disabling the electromagnetic actuator from producing force on the suspended device. When the control system receives a turn-off signal it provides actuator turn-off control signals that cause the force exerted by the electromagnetic actuator to progressively transition to zero over a transition time period.

Abstract: An architecture shape memory alloy (SMA) actuators is presented called Segmented Binary Control (SBC). Instead of controlling the phase transition of the entire SMA wire as a single plant, we divide the SMA wire into many segments, each of which is controlled separately as an ON-OFF finite-state process. SBC produces a displacement as the addition of small displacements generated by the individual segments. Furthermore, the segmented architecture of SMA wires is extended to a multi-axis actuator array by arranging them in a two-dimensional array, so that the multi-axis control may be streamlined and coordinated. Moreover, the 2-D segmentation can be so designed that coordinated gross motion as well as independent fine movements may be generated with minimum complexity and minimum control loops.