Abstract: The invention relates to a vibration isolator comprising a canister which ends are closed by end caps and a shaft able to move inside the canister, wherein the shaft comprises a piston-like shaped part for separating the canister in two parts: the first part being defined between the piston-like shaped part of the shaft and the first end cap, and comprising at least one resilient and damping element able to be compressed by a compression movement of the shaft on a first nominal stroke; the second part being defined between the piston-like shaped part of the shaft and the second end cap, and comprising at least one resilient and damping element able to be compressed by a tension movement of the shaft on a second nominal stroke; the tangential stiffness of the vibration isolator being, on at least one part of the first nominal stroke of the shaft, at least twice as lower as its tangential stiffness on the entire second nominal stroke of the shaft.

Abstract: A suspension method for stabilizing a bicycle frame is provided with an elastically deformable damping suspension in order to absorb shocks, wherein said method consists of elastically deforming a suspension device by a torsional effect perpendicularly to the bicycle frame. The suspension device extends over a frame plane and is fitted out to implement the method by providing a damping torsional device arranged about at least one axis contained in a torsional plane perpendicular to the frame plane.

Abstract: An engine mount for mounting an automotive vehicle engine to the automotive vehicle chassis. The mount comprises a vibration isolator portion which is designed with relatively low stiffness to provide increased vibration isolation. Excessive displacements are avoided by snubbers. Snubbing action in one direction is provided by a circular snubber that is disposed in spaced relation to the vibration isolator portion. Snubbing action in other directions is provided by the particular design of the vibration isolator portion. Embodiments of both a front and a rear engine mount are disclosed.

Abstract: An inertia force generating device comprises two pairs of coaxial counterrotating eccentric rotors, whose rotational speeds and relative positons are automatically and continuously controlled so as to cancel undesirable vibrations produced by another device. Within each rotor pair, the two rotors have an adjustable angle between their mass centers, so that the effective eccentricity of the pair can be varied, and the phase between the two pairs can also be changed, to alter the direction of the maximum or minimum inertial forces developed. The four rotors include shells of different diameter, nested together on a center plane of the device, or parallel plates configured to maintain a minimum spread of mass centers along the rotational axis.

Abstract: A rotatable coupling having a male member (2) and a female member (4) each rotatable about central axes .alpha. and .beta.. The male member has lobes (16) and the female member cavities (50) for mutual engagement. The male lobes terminate in wedge-shaped portions (18), the edges of which lie in a common plane. The female terminates in a flat bottom surface (40).

Abstract: A force/torque transducer including a first rigid member, a second rigid member, one or more flexural beams connected between the first rigid member and the second rigid member, the first and second members and the beam having a center point, the flexural beams having respective decoupling points that are symmetrical with respect to the center point, the flexural beams having symmetrical strain fields located on the flexural beams such that first and second strain fields achieve strain responses to a load of a single axis of magnitude equal to each other and third and fourth strain fields achieve strain responses to the load of the single axis of magnitude equal to each other, two of the responses being one sign and two being the other sign, the strain responses of the strain fields to loads of all other axes being capable of being cancelled out when the responses of one of the first and second fields and one of the third and fourth fields are given opposite sign and the responses of like axes are added toget

Abstract: A shock isolation device includes a center section and a pair of end sections which extend in opposite directions out from the center section. The device itself is made from a flexible, resilient material such that the center section may tightly engage an article to be supported without further attachement means. The center section may be rectangular whereas the end sections may each be generally triangular. At the apex or distal point of each triangle (furthest removed from the center section) fastening means may be used to attach the shock isolating device to a carrier.

Abstract: An electromechanical manipulator including gripper elements provided with a plurality of fingers and a sensing element provided for each of the fingers to sense their relative position. The sensing means includes at least one Hall effect element disposed in the body of the gripper element. A magnet element is oriented in a bipolar slide-by mode with respect to the Hall effect element and is disposed for movement with one of the fingers of a gripper element.

Abstract: An active force actuated vibration isolation system uses a velocity sensor in the form of a velocity-sensitive geophone to sense payload velocity and modifies the geophone signal to control the force applied to oppose the vibration. The modified signal effectively reduces the inherent resonant frequency of the geophone and avoids instability.

Abstract: A sound isolating bearing has concentric inner and outer housings made of steel with a concentric shim between the inner and outer housings sandwiched by layers of a resilient elastomer. The longitudinal cross section of the shim is convex on both inside and outside surfaces with the same radius of curvature to allow cocking of the inner housing relative to the outer housing about a first point on the bearing axis midway between the ends and about a second pivot point outside the bearing in a plane midway between the bearing ends perpendicular to the bearing axis.

Abstract: A parametrically controlled active vibration isolation system comprises a damper having a servovalve fluidically coupling a load supporting actuator to an accumulator. The servovalve includes a variable orifice arrangement which regulates the flow therethrough of a hydraulic fluid in response to a command signal derived from response sensors. In this manner the damping coefficient is modulated so as to approximate a "sky-hook" damper.

Abstract: A motion snubber comprises layers of elastomeric and substantially inextensible material stacked one on top of the other between a base and mounting plate, and is characterized by a rigid restraining pin disposed in a bore within the stack so as to restrain deformation of the elastomer. In one embodiment the bore is obliquely oriented with respect to the pin. In another embodiment the pin is contoured to accommodate angular motion.

Abstract: A soft thermoplastic, elastomeric alloy containing a thermoplastic, elastomeric block copolymer material, a polyethylene, and a polyphenylene ether material, prepared by blending in an extruder with an L/D ratio equal to or greater than 30 to 1. The alloy comprises a blend of from about 80 to 98% thermoplastic, elastomeric block copolymer material; from about 1 to 10% by weight of low melt index, highly crystalline polyethylene; and from about 1 to 10% by weight of polyphenylene ether. The material demonstrates excellent creep resistance at elevated temperatures as well as a variety of other excellent physical properties.

Abstract: An adjustable device for supporting workpieces having two sets of relatively movable interleaved friction plates, one set attached to and movable with a work supporting plunger, the other being relatively stationary with respect to the plunger. The plunger and associated plates are moved into work supporting engagement by air pressure; the two sets of plates being clamped together by a hydraulic piston operated at right angles to the plates, to hold the plunger in the desired work supporting position of adjustment until the sets of plates are unclamped.

Abstract: An active vibration isolation system employing an electro-rheological fluid comprises a damper having a servovalve fluidically coupling a load supporting actuator to an accumulator. The servovalve includes an orificed plate arrangement, across which a voltage potential is impressed in accordance with a command signal derived from response sensors. The viscosity of an electro-rheological fluid contained within the servovalve reacts to the voltage potential so as to regulate the fluid flow. In this manner the damping coefficient is modulated to as to approximate a "sky-hook" damper.

Abstract: A positive indication of the closure state of a fingered gripper is provided by a sensor having a first element mounted for motion responsive to the primary finger driver and a second element operable in conjunction with the first element to provide, between the two, a positive indication of the gripper state.

Abstract: An antiskid shock and vibration isolating foot is formed with an annular circumferential recess about midway between its top and bottom and made of a resilient elastomer. A threaded stud is bonded to the top of the elastomer. The upper portion above the annular recess passes through an opening in a case base until the edge around the opening resides in the annular recess. The threaded stud passes through an opening in the base of a component. The stiffness of the upper portion above the annular recess is different from the stiffness of the lower portion below the annular recess. The portion above the recess is frustoconical and that below is substantially cylindrical.

Abstract: An overload protection device adapted to be secured between a robot arm and a tool, comprises a floating piston (20) within a cylinder (18). Hall effect sensors (124) are spaced around the cylinder wall and mating magnets (40) are spaced around the piston wall. The cylinder is pressurized to axially align the piston with the cylinder and to position each magnet in alignment with a sensor. When an overload occurs involving either the robot arm or the tool, the magnets are moved relative to the sensors causing the sensors to signal for depressurization of the cylinder. An electronic system (FIG. 27) responsive to the Hall effect sensor signals lights an "overload" LED D1 and triggers a timer circuit T1 which generates a timing pulse of fixed duration. During the duration of the timing pulse, the robot is de-energized. A red LED R is illuminated indicating the robot system is not ready to be operated. Also, a solenoid valve L1 is energized, cutting off the pressure to the cylinder.

Abstract: Apparatus for removing and securing a plug-in electronic unit or the like to or from an avionics tray comprises a threaded spindle carrying a transverse pin at one end thereof and having an arrangement of three concentric sleeves located about the spindle. Stop members are provided to limit the movement of the sleeves in both axial directions along the threaded spindle. A rotatable grip is fitted about the innermost of the three concentric sleeves at that end of the sleeve remote from the transverse pin. A ring member is positioned about the middle of the three sleeves and cooperates with an extended flange of the latter to define an annular recess which contains a resilient element. A torque-limiting arrangement is provided between the rotatable grip and a co-operating surface portion of the middle of the three sleeves.

Abstract: An active force actuated vibration isolation system uses a velocity sensor in the form of a velocity-sensitive geophone to sense payload velocity and modifies the geophone signal to control the force applied to oppose the vibration. The modified signal effectively reduces the inherent resonant frequency of the geophone and avoids instability.