Abstract: A system of vibration-absorbing, height-adjustable, force-sensing components, adapted to be incorporated in support members of a unit of industrial equipment to enable precise alignment and balancing of such equipment, to minimize noise generated thereby and to achieve greater precision and efficiency by fine tuning the performance thereof. The system has cooperating load indicating means which provide for read-out of forces exerted on the respective support members. Additionally, the system may include means for indicating power consumption during operation. When the equipment is at rest, static load forces are indicated. Applicant's system permits preliminary adjustment for balancing load distribution when the equipment is at rest. Then, during operation, further adjustments may be made, based upon monitoring of read-outs of dynamic and enertia forces and power consumption, in order to obtain optimum stability, alignment, damping of vibration and shock, and noise control.

Abstract: A vibration isolator of the type used for mounting industrial equipment, having the capability of measuring forces exerted upon the isolator to adjust the support provided by each of the isolators upon which the equipment is mounted so as to provide the most suitable distribution of support and to reduce the transmission of dynamic forces created by the operation of the equipment. The isolator comprises a resilient base, a bearing plate on the base and a sensing device cooperating therewith, with or without means for attaching the isolator to the equipment. A force applied to the isolator exerts pressure on the bearing plate which is transmitted therethrough to the resilient base causing each of them to experience some deformation. The sensing device detects the pressure or deformation caused by the force applied to the isolator and generates a signal corresponding to said force.