Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for supporting a workpiece in a precision processing system. The apparatus includes a plurality of workpiece contact elements for supporting the workpiece substantially in a plane, and a compliant stiction support for reducing workpiece vibration. The workpiece supporting apparatus can include a base member connected to the workpiece contact elements and to the compliant stiction support. The complaint stiction support can include a slider assembly for contacting the workpiece. The slider assembly is in sliding, frictional connection with the base member. The compliant stiction support can further include a workpiece contact spring element for forcing the slider assembly into contact with the workpiece. The compliant stiction support can further include a stiction spring element. The stiction spring element is in contact with the slider element. The stiction spring element forces the slider element into frictional contact with the base member.

Abstract: A support stand, support stand assembly, and method of making the same with the support stand featuring a base with central hub-like reception area either capped or uncapped at its bottom and a supporting rod that has a diameter less than that of the side wall defining the reception area so as to form an annular gap. An elastomer material, which is preferably a liquid urethane that cures at room temperature, is poured into the gap so as to form an energy management member which acts as a flexible cushioning element by helping to dampen and diffuse rocking forces of the supporting rod with respect to the base. The energy management member also acts to glue the supporting rod to the base through the bonding properties.

Abstract: An improved shock isolating mount for securing a body part of a vehicle to a support is provided. The shock mount includes a two-part spool having: a spacer formed from an annular flange integral with a tube, the tube projecting through apertures in mating elastically resilient bodies and a mounting part of a vehicle body part disposed between them; and a thimble, formed from a flange integral with a tube designed such that the thimble tube can telescope into the spacer tube. The thimble tube is formed into a polygon shape at the tube shoulder adjacent the thimble flange and the spacer tube is formed in a matching polygon shape such that the thimble tube shoulder can mate with the spacer tube. The thimble tube has an enlarged end which is engaged by a plurality of inward protrusions mounted in the spacer tube to prevent the spacer and thimble assembly from accidental engagement.

Abstract: A low-bed type seismic isolator for a display case, which includes: at least two lines of arcuate X-rails (3) fixed to a lower plate (1) on a foundation and having lower central portions and higher end portions; at least two lines of arcuate Y-rails (4) fixed to a lower surface of an upper plate (2) above the X-rails (3) and having higher central portions and lower end portions in a direction perpendicularly to the X-rails; connection blocks (5) having lower portions clamping the X-rails, upper portions clamping the Y-rails, and a disk spring provided at the central portions thereof; absorbers (8) disposed on the ends of the X-rails and Y-rails and recesses which fixedly accommodates support legs (7) fixed to the lower surface of the upper plate and protruded downwardly from a seismic isolation object.

Abstract: An active vibration isolation and payload reaction force compensation system includes a number of isolation legs which support equipment subject to undesirable vibrations. Each leg includes an elastomeric support member which supports the mass of the equipment and attenuates seismic forces transmitted from the ground to the system. A number of force actuators fixed to each leg and to the equipment in oppositely directed pairs provide forces directed to compensate for motions of the equipment. Six accelerometers are provided on the equipment to measure accelerations in six degrees of freedom. A control system, responsive to signals from the accelerometers, causes actuation of the force actuators.

Abstract: An arrangment for securing against rotation for a structural component part of a vibration damper or of a shock absorber leg for motor vehicles, which structural component part is provided with a pin type pivot bearing. A piston rod and/or a receptacle is connected, in each instance via a flexible pin type pivot bearing, with the vehicle body or with a wheel guide part. The arrangement for securing against rotation acts between the piston rod and/or the receptacle and the part which is fixed with respect to the vehicle and connected therewith. The arrangement for securing against rotation is formed by a flexible structural component part which participates in the articulated movements and is arranged so as to be positioned between the piston rod and/or the receptacle or cylinder and the part which is fixed with respect to the vehicle.

Abstract: A support structure for a motorcycle's rearview mirror includes a vibration dampening device. The support structure includes a mirror base attached to a fairing stay of the motorcycle. The vibration dampening device includes an isolated weight supported between two elastic members. The elastic members are attached to the fairing stay close to the attachment location of the mirror base to the fairing stay. Since the isolated weight is attached to the fairing stay, it can be large enough to sufficiently dampen vibrations which propagate along the fairing stay, without adversely affecting the outward appearance of the motorcycle.

Abstract: A fluid and elastomer damper includes a first and second members and an elastomer section flexibly mounting the second member to the first member and allowing lateral movement therebetween. The elastomer section includes an inner wall forming a portion of a cavity defined within the damper and a damping fluid disposed within the cavity. A flexible damping plate separates the cavity into first and second chambers. At least one passageway is formed between the damping plate and the inner wall, the passageway exhibiting a gap dimension between the wall and the damping plate. When lateral movement occurs between the first and second members, the gap dimension is maintained substantially constant by flexing of the damping plate along the lateral direction.

Abstract: A damper interposed between a stationary portion and a movable portion for attenuating or inhibiting vibrations or shock propagated from the stationary portion to the movable portion in an electronic equipment. The damper, which has its one end and its other end mounted on the movable portion and on the stationary portion, respectively, has its main body portion formed of flexible butyl rubber. The main body portion has a hollow portion and a protuberant portion having a shaft-inserting hole and which is protruding towards the hollow portion. The protuberant portion has an outer diameter equal to not less than 2.3 times the inner diameter of the shaft inserting hole. In the hollow portion of the main body portion is enclosed a viscous fluid, such as silicone oil.

Abstract: A device for removing a gaslift from a chair comprising a guide portion that is adapted to engage a cylinder of a gaslift. The guide portion has a lower end that abuts a surface on the chair. An impact block is attached to the guide portion for receiving impact loads. An attachment device, preferably an elastic band is used to temporarily attach the device to the gaslift cylinder.

Abstract: An antivibration device having two rigid strength members interconnected by an elastomer body has first and second abutments extending in parallel to limit relative movement between the two strength members along a determined axis and in a determined direction. The second abutment is less stiff than the first abutment, and it comes into contact with its corresponding counter-abutment before the first abutment comes into contact with its corresponding counter-abutment.

Abstract: A foot structure for an apparatus including a bolt member, a slide cup, and a flange member in one embodiment. The bolt member has a first end and a second end. The first end of the bolt member is fixed to the apparatus. The slide cup has at its upper portion a recess for slidably supporting the second end of the bolt member and has at its lower portion a substantially flat lower surface and a rodlike projection projecting downward from a substantially central portion of the lower surface. The flange member has a slide surface with which the lower surface of the slide cup is in slidable contact and a wall surface projecting downward from the slide surface to define an opening area for accommodating the rodlike projection with play. The flange member is mounted on a substantially horizontal floor surface.

Abstract: An engine mount includes an inner member and an outer cylinder having a circumferential position around a central axis of the engine mount, the circumferential position being changeable relative to the inner member. A bracket fixed to the inner member supports an engine on the engine mount, the bracket having a circumferential position around the central axis of the engine mount which is changeable relative to the outer cylinder. A stopper of an elastic material is provided on one of the outer cylinder and the inner member, the stopper contacting the other of the outer cylinder and the inner member when a change in length of one of the outer cylinder and the inner member relative to the other exceeds a reference level.

Abstract: A shear bar support and/or a shear bar of a forage harvester is provided with a magnet acting on the respective opposite part. The magnet may be powered electrically and depending on an operation mode of the forage harvester. The magnet is located between the outer ends of the shear bar, which ends are fixed by bolts, and the like as is well known. The magnet acts to cause the shear bar to be pressed against the shear bar support in order to decrease or eliminate vibrations thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vibration damper having a housing formed by a shell part (1) and a base part (2), in which housing a pressure cavity (3) is located, which cavity at least partially is delimited by a membrane (4) of elastomer material. A pin (5) for transmitting vibrations to the membrane is fixed to the membrane and protrudes through the housing to the outside. The pin is fixed to the membrane by means of a plate (10) enclosed within the membrane, which plate (10) is dome-shaped and can be made of resilient material, such as spring steel. The membrane is attached to the shell part (1) by means of a type of adhesive joint at the location of the transition between the base (8) of the shell part and the side wall (9) of the shell part. The plate enclosed within the membrane can act as a leaf spring.

Abstract: An orifice plate is projectingly provided within a fluid chamber formed inside an elastic block to damp the medium to high frequency vibrations. The orifice plate is arranged to have a projection area which is maximum in the principal input direction Z of vibrations to be isolated, medium in the direction Y of the two input directions X and Y which are perpendicular to the direction Z, and minimum in the direction X by providing a recess at a bottom thereof which traverses in the same direction (as the direction X). The resonance frequency is high in the direction Y and the circumferential edge portions of the projection surface in the direction Y are adapted to serve as stoppers which perform the displacement control in the direction X. In another embodiment, the stoppers are asymmetrically shaped.

Abstract: Apparatus for reducing a vibration that is propagated from outside a structure involves using a stiffener having a support point and a base point situated a distance from the support point to absorb the vibration. When an outside vibration is propagated to the structure, elastic strains occur both in the structure and in the stiffener, and the support point moves relative to the base point. The vibration reduction apparatus monitors the relative velocity of the support point relative to the base point, and when the monitored relative velocity changes its direction, releases a coupling between the support point of the stiffener and the structure, resulting in quick release of potential energy induced by the elastic strain stored in the stiffener and zeroing of the relative velocity between the support point and the base point.

Abstract: A new composite damping material is presented which exhibits an enhanced ability to dampen mechanical oscillations. The enhanced damping properties of this material are achieved through the entrapment of highly viscous damping fluids within the pores of a porous material (such as: an expanded polymer, felt, foam, fabric, metal, etc.). The entrapment of the fluid within the porous scaffold prevents flow, providing a stable composite which may be shaped into useful articles. Such a construct allows utilization of the high performance damping properties of fluids which, in pure form, are too fluid-like for most practical applications (which typically require a solid, stable, material). This composite, possessing damping performance approaching that of certain fluids, combined with stability in a solid form, can be used in many applications where materials are needed to damp the vibration of mechanical systems.

Abstract: A bracket made of an aluminum alloy for fixing an elastic mount to one of two members to be elastically connected to each other through the elastic mount interposed therebetween. The bracket is formed by extrusion, and has at least one aperture formed therethrough so as to extend in the direction of extrusion. A first succession of recessed and raised portions are formed on at least a part of a fixing surface that is fixable to the elastic mount, and a second succession of recessed and raised portions are formed on at least a part of an exposed surface thereof which is exposed to the atmosphere upon fixing of the bracket to the elastic mount. The recessed and raised portions extend in the direction of extrusion, and are formed alternately in a direction perpendicular to the direction of extension.

Abstract: A vibration isolating apparatus includes a first mounting member; a second mounting member having a through hole; an elastic body provided to be elastically deformable and mounted in such a manner as to be interposed between the first mounting member and the second mounting member; a liquid chamber of which at least a portion of a partition wall is formed of the elastic body and the second mounting member and which is filled with a liquid; and an elastic membrane provided to be elastically deformable and fixed to a portion of the second mounting member forming the partition wall of the liquid chamber so as to cover the through hole. Accordingly, even when vibration of a high frequency which cannot be damped by the elastic body and a liquid is transmitted from the side of a vibration-generating portion, the elastic membrane elastically deforms and the dynamic spring constant becomes low. As a result, vibration is not easily transmitted to the side of a vibration-receiving portion.

Abstract: Torsional vibrations in a rotating structure having a relatively large mass and subject to varying frequencies of torsional excitation are damped by determining the frequency of torsional excitation of the rotating structure and coupling to the rotating structure a damping pendulum of smaller mass to provide an absorber unit rotating therewith. The angular displacement of the damping pendulum relative to the rotating structure is continuously monitored, and the frequency of excitation is determined. The monitored displacement of the damping pendulum together with the mass damper characteristics of the absorber unit are processed to output a signal which produces a control torque on the damping pendulum proportional to the monitored displacement of the damping pendulum with a controlled time delay to produce control torque on the damping pendulum substantially equal to the torsional excitation of the rotating structure.

Abstract: A mounting system for securing a first component compliantly with respect to a second component has a flywheel mounted rigidly with respect to one of the components and compliantly with respect to the other component for rotation in a plane normal to the direction of movement of the first component towards the second component. One or more spring elements acting between the other component and the flywheel drive the flywheel upon movement of the first component towards the second component.

Abstract: A device for positioning in a civil engineering structure at least one fixed point which, in normal time, locks a point of part of the structure in position relative to another, supporting, part which is considered fixed. In order to return the structure part to its initial position as soon as the disturbing action thereon ceases, the device (32) comprises at least two prestressed damping springs which are mounted in opposition either side of the fixed point and act, first, on the structure part which can move in relative manner, such as a bridge floor (10) and, second, on a structure part considered fixed, such as a bridge pier (11).

Abstract: An aseismatic mount for exhibition of articles comprising a lower mount frame, a middle mount frame, an upper mount frame for mounting exhibition articles thereon, aseismatic mount having rollers integrally on an axis each of which is shifted eccentrically to each other in up and down directions, said aseismatic mounts being interposed between the lower mount frame and the middle mount frame at plural positions, and further aseismatic mounts having the same construction as the aseismatic mounts, and interposed between the middle mount frame and the upper mount frame.

Abstract: A liquid filled vibration isolating mount has upper and lower metal fittings for fixing the vibration isolating mount to a supporting body and a supported body. A rubber vibration isolating body has a tubular shape defining a central cavity and has upper and lower ends defining an upper face and a bottom face which are respectively fixed to the upper and lower metal fittings. The upper metal fitting defines an aperture communicating with the central cavity and a partition member is connected to the upper metal fitting occluding the aperture. A diaphragm is attached to the upper metal fitting covering at least a portion of the partition member. The central cavity of the vibration isolating base body and the partition member define a first liquid chamber wherein the vibration isolating base body constitutes a portion of a chamber wall. The diaphragm and the partition member define a second liquid chamber.

Abstract: A hydraulic bearing includes a supporting bearing and a bearing member braced against each other by an essentially truncated conical elastic spring element of an elastomeric material. The spring element bounds a working chamber and a compensating chamber filled with damping fluid, these chambers being separated from one another by a dividing wall and being in fluid communication with one another via a damping channel. The elastic spring element has two compression-spring sections radially opposite one another and two push-action-spring segments radially opposite one another and the compression-spring sections. The supporting bearing radially overlaps the elastic spring element in the compression-spring sections, and the elastic spring element and the supporting bearing are interconnected by a radial surface area.

Abstract: A fluid-sealed vibration isolating device comprises primary and secondary damping-fluid chambers, a fluid-flow restrictive plate or diaphragm for dividing the primary damping-fluid chamber into first and second main chambers and being responsive to an amplitude of input vibration for restricting a flow of damping fluid between the first and second main chambers when the amplitude of input vibration is greater than a predetermined amplitude, the secondary damping-fluid chamber including first and second sub-chambers, and first, second and third orifice passageways for defining respective flow restrictive passages between the first main chamber and the first sub-chamber, between the second main chamber and the first sub-chamber, and between the second main chamber and the second sub-chamber.

Abstract: The support frame according to the preferred embodiments of the invention reduces the abrupt strains acting upon a foundation to such an extent that light and hence more economical foundations for the device secured to the support frame can be used. A preferred embodiment of the support frame includes at least two resiliently embodied girders and at least one crossbar connecting said girders. At least one securing point is provided on the girders or the crossbar for receiving a structural component to be supported. At least one connecting point is provided on each of the girders, for connecting the girder to a foundation. An interstice is provided between the respective girders and the foundation, wherein the interstice is bridged only at the at least one connecting point. The resilient girders and the interstice allow the impact upon the foundation to be dampened.

Abstract: A hydraulic bearing, having a working chamber filled with a damping fluid and a compensating chamber. The chambers are separated from one another by a dividing wall and are in fluid communication with one another via a damping channel, to damp low-frequency vibrations. The damping channel is formed by two subchannels which, in terms of technical function, are arranged in a series connection. The subchannels are arranged axially on both sides of a diaphragm that is capable of vibrating. The diaphragm forms a component of the dividing wall, and the diaphragm is provided with a channel separation and has at least one opening within the channel separation for fluid communication of the subchannels with one another.

Abstract: The present invention is a gimbal system for an apparatus supported in a frame. The gimbal system includes at least two parallel flexible beams positioned on either side of the apparatus. The apparatus is attached to the beam near a center of the beam to the apparatus, such that an active length of the beam is equal to a distance between the beams centers. A first end and a second end of the beam is mounted to the frame. At least one dampening mechanism is attached at a first end to the apparatus and at the other end to the frame. The apparatus exhibits axisymmetric roll stiffness independent of the motion of the frame.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a seismic isolation bearing having an ultimate translational distance and capacity for supporting an upper structure on a lower structure, comprising a load bearing core for absorbing forces which causes a horizontal sliding movement between the upper structure and the lower structure, an upper load bearing plate positioned on top of the uppermost load bearing body and a lower load bearing plate positioned beneath the lowermost load bearing body. The bearing further includes a tension damping device comprising a matrix material and a reinforcement material disposed therewithin and having an activation point and range. Each tension damping device is adapted to be connected between the upper load bearing plate and the lower load bearing plate for damping and stiffening the sliding movement between the upper and lower structures.

Abstract: A hydraulic antivibration support comprises an annular elastomer body surrounding a central axis and interconnecting a first support member and a support plate both of which are likewise annular. The elastomer body has two concentric annular cavities closed by the support plate, and constituting a working chamber and a compensation chamber which is radially defined on the outside by a thin side wall of the elastomer body, said two chambers being filled with liquid and being interconnected by a constricted passage which is defined in part by a channel-section piece located in one of the two chambers.

Abstract: An engine mount with hydraulic damping for motor vehicles which has at least two chambers, which are provided with at least partially elastically deformable walls in a housing and are filled with a damping fluid. A common valve plate is between the chambers. An uncoupling membrane of an elastic material is arranged in a cage structure with openings. The edge of the uncoupling membrane is inserted radially movably with a gentle pretension or clamping force in a recess between two disks of the valve plate, which are designed as a cage, wherein at least one of these openings is continued radially to the edge of the uncoupling membrane.

Abstract: A motion compensated apparatus that can be used as a sleeping platform, stabilizer. The discomfort and danger of a moving surface associated with a ship at sea is well known. The motion of such a surface causes considerable distress in humans and animals. Servos can expand and contract to position the upper portion of the assembly at various angles with respect to the lower portion and to cancel accelerations caused by pitching and rolling. The servos can be controlled by a control system that is driven by a set of motion sensors or a gyro. The sensors or gyro sense the instantaneous position of the deck with respect to an absolute level virtual reference plane. The control system continuously adjusts the apparatus to remain parallel to the absolute level plane. The system contains a quick enough response to track the fast motion encountered on a ship to yield a smooth and comfortable ride according to control system principles.

Abstract: A seismic isolation device comprises a floor body which is arranged on a structural floor and to which an object of seismic isolation is mounted, a first restoring member disposed on the structural floor and adapted to impart a horizontal restoring force to the floor body when the floor body is horizontally displaced with respect to the structural floor, a first damping member arranged in association with the first restoring member and adapted to impart a horizontal damping force when the floor body is horizontally displaced with respect to the structural floor, a first engaging member projecting from the floor body towards the structural floor, a second engaging member provided on the first restoring member and sliding while coming into contact with the first engaging member, a second restoring member disposed to a lower portion of the floor body and adapted to impart a vertical restoring force when the floor body is vertically displaced with respect to the structural floor, a second damping member arranged

Abstract: A tilt and motion apparatus capable of high accuracy positioning. An upper stage is spaced apart and moved, both for vertical movement and tilting, relative to a lower stage. The upper stage is supported on the lower stage by three articulated flexures which each move in the vertical direction but are kinematically rigid in the horizontal plane. Each articulated flexure has three arms connected in a Z shape and both flexure ends are fixed to a base structure mounted on the lower stage. A voice coil motor with one element mounted on the flexure and a second cooperating element on the lower stage pushes against each flexure, which is also connected to the upper stage, away from the lower stage. Thus, the upper stage is very stiff in the horizontal direction. Additionally, at least one air cylinder is connected between the upper stage and lower stage to provide a constant counterforce to the upper stage to support its weight.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the packaging of commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) electronic modules and equipment for use in harsh military or commercial environments. The ruggedized container of this invention is a light-weight container weighing less than half of the weight of commercially available containers having similar functionalities and which is intended for use in similar harsh environments. The reduced weight and size of the ruggedized container of this invention are consistent with size and/or weight critical applications such as transport of portable flight line testers, submarines, space craft, air craft, and the like. The ruggedized container of this invention, comprises five major components: a transit case, a card cage, a vibration isolator assembly, cooling system, and power supply. Each element of the chassis is individually enhanced for size and weight.

Abstract: The invention includes a mounting system for a press having an elastomeric isolator operatively associated with the press bed along with an air mount isolator operatively associated with the press bed for support of the press bed relative to a floor. A monitoring mechanism is provided for activating the air mount isolator based on a predetermined condition of the press so that the press bed is supported by the elastomeric isolator before air mount isolator activation and the press bed is supported solely by the air mount isolator after activation.

Abstract: A weaving loom for forming a fabric that includes two vertically adjacent modules and a damping member mounted therebetween. The lower module contains a mechanism for unwinding warp yarn, forming the shed and unwinding the fabric. The upper module contains a mechanism for inserting the weft, controlling the reed and feeding the resulting fabric.

Abstract: An elastic mount wherein a first and a second support member are spaced apart from each other and elastically connected to each other by an elastic body, wherein the second support member has a cylindrical fixing portion having a larger diameter than the first support member, and a cylindrical bracket member is press-fitted on the fixing portion of the second support member such that the cylindrical bracket member encloses the first support member. The bracket member includes an axial end portion provided with an integrally formed abutting part opposed to the first support member in an axial direction of the bracket member.

Abstract: A rubber vibration isolator with a bracket and a method of manufacturing the same. An elastic rubber member is vulcanization bonded to both a metallic cylindrical portion and an inner sleeve disposed inside of the cylindrical portion in a first securing portion opposed to an inner surface of the metallic cylindrical portion and a second securing portion opposed to an outer surface of the inner sleeve. Next, the metallic cylindrical portion is plastically deformed towards an axial center thereof to precompress the elastic rubber member. An arm portion is secured to an outer surface of the plastically deformed cylindrical portion by low temperature welding, thereby forming the bracket.

Abstract: An isolator for protecting a display object from damage as a result of shock and vibration associated with seismic activity or other external forces. The isolator has a base support which is fixed in position with respect to the ground, an intermediate support which interengages with the base support and may slide side-to-side along one axis, a top support for mounting the object thereon and interengaging with the intermediate support to slide side-to-side along a different axis, and restoring means to urge the top and intermediate supports to return to their neutral rest positions. The interengagement between levels is accomplished by tracks that slidably engage rows of roller bearings rotatably mounted along opposite side edges of an adjacent support, and the restoring means include elongated, non-flexible compression spring assemblies formed by stacked Belleville washers that yieldably urge follower rollers against cam tracks formed along the sides of the supports.

Abstract: A semi-active control method for a controllable fluid damper used in seat supports. The present method filters a relative displacement signal phase shifting the relative displacement sine wave by an angle from greater than 0.degree. through an angle less than 90.degree. to get a relative rate. The sign of the relative rate is compared to that of an absolute velocity curve obtained by integrating the absolute acceleration value obtained by an accelerometer attached to the controlled seat. If the signs are the same, the output to the damper is set to a minimum; if the signs are different, the value is set at the absolute velocity multiplied by an input gain. Endstop limits can be implemented with this control method.

Abstract: Elaboration on the merits of an improved gear family known as Bearing Tooth Gears. The rotative contact of meshing Bearing Teeth in a Bearing Tooth Gear set, allows for an increase in candidate materials, used in the construction of these gears and allows for improved structural designs of the Bearing Tooth assemblies and gear housings. In addition, prefer positioning of support bearings is also conveyed.

Abstract: A supporting mechanism is provided in which each of three supporting portions is constituted by an elastic member able to be deformed only in one direction and an oscillation mechanism which can oscillate around the axis parallel to the one direction.

Abstract: A house 2 is isolated from the foundation 1 by a rolling bearing 3. A vibration control device 6 with a releasable rigid connector 5 is added in parallel to the rolling bearing 3. Further, a release controller 8 of the rigid connector 5 is connected to the output end of an earthquake detector 7 on the house 2, so as to release the rigid connector 5 in response to output signal from the earthquake detector 7. Thus, the building 2 normally stands without vibration against wind by rigid connection to the foundation 1 through the rigid connector 5. On the other hand, when earthquake occurs, the rigid connector 5 is released by the release controller 8 by the output from the earthquake detector 7, so as to control the vibration of the building 2 by a combination of the rolling bearing 3 and the vibration control device 6.

Abstract: An isolation system (20) including the combination of an elastomeric mount (25) for attachment between a structure (24) and a vibrating member (22) and further including at least one passive tuned vibration absorber (TVA) (32) attached in the proximity the elastomeric mount (25) but on the structure side thereof. The resonant frequency f.sub.r of the passive TVA (32) is tuned to a resonant frequency f.sub.r just below the predominant operating frequency f.sub.o of the vibrating member (22), such that the resonance of the tuned vibration absorber (32) makes the structure (24) appear dynamically stiffer. In particular the ratio of f.sub.r /f.sub.o is in the range of between about 0.90 and 0.90. In one embodiment, the passive TVA (32) attaches directly to the inner member (28) of the elastomeric mount (25) and clamps the TVA assembly (43) to the structure (24) and clamps the structure (24) to the elastomeric mount (25).

Abstract: Piezoelectric actuators bonded on S-shaped brackets extend between a support and a payload. The brackets can be used for vibration isolation by attenuating resonant vibrations under computer dynamic control relying on predetermined dynamic resonant characteristics and H-Infinity control methods. The brackets can also be used for platform directional pointing under computer control.

Abstract: A vibration control device including a bracket, and a vibration control body. The bracket has a stay portion for connection to an engine, a flange portion formed at one end of the stay portion, and a stabilizer portion to damp large magnitude movements of the body. The vibration control body includes an insulator made of anti-vibration rubber or other resilient material, an upper plate, and a stopper portion. The flange portion preferably slidably receives the upper plate in order to couple the bracket and vibration control body together.

Abstract: A seat assembly for a motor vehicle includes an air suspension system for effectively isolating the occupant of the seat from shock, vibration and inertial forces directed along both a vertical axis and a horizontal axis. A base plate is mounted to the floor of the vehicle and supports first and second pairs of sleeve bearings on opposed sides of a box-like housing. The housing itself is attached to a pair of guide rods which cooperate with the sleeve bearings to provide fore and aft movement of the housing. Springs operating in cooperation with a first horizontally disposed air bag serves to dampen out inertial forces on the vehicle seat. The seat itself it support atop a vertically oriented air spring and a plurality of hydraulic vibration dampeners that tend to cushion vertically directed force spectors acting upon the seat and its occupant.