Abstract: Provided is a swing speed analyzer for mounting on a swinging implement and comprising a first accelerometer, a processor and a shock attenuator. The processor uses an output from the first accelerometer to compute a swing speed of the swinging implement. The shock attenuator is comprised of a material that is sized and dimensioned to dampen an impact shock wave by more than 50% at 125 Hz. The material is preferably sized and dimensioned to dampen the impact shock wave from more than 1000 g to less than 500 g. Suitable attenuators can include viscoelastomeric materials such as foam. The swing speed analyzer can advantageously include any of a releasable attachment mechanism, a liquid crystal or other visual display, a second accelerometer, and a strain gauge. The analyzer can advantageously be attached to a golf club, a tennis racket, a baseball bat, or a hockey stick.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for attenuating shock and vibration energy levels within a spacecraft interface isolation system. The apparatus includes one or more spring plate assemblies fitted with mechanical stops and damping devices. The isolation system is typically incorporated into an interface unit, which is connected between the launch vehicle and the payload, in order to reduce the shock and vibration load energy imposed on the payload during the fairing separation processes. The mechanical stops maintain a desired level of stiffness for the payload supporting structure during lift-off and Max q, and the damping devices reduce the spring plate oscillation tendency during fairing separation. The combination of spring plate, stop, and damping device provides a significant reduction in shock and vibration energy levels in the approximate frequency range of 100 to 300 Hz.