Abstract: A pneumatic isolator for isolating payloads from vibrations consisting of a vertical isolator suspended from pendulum wires. The top load surface of the isolator strongly resists tilt, thus improving payload stability.

Abstract: A pneumatic isolator for isolating payloads from vibrations consisting of a vertical isolator suspended from pendulum wires. A second downward-facing piston prevents changes in barometric pressure from generating disturbing forces on the isolated payload.

Abstract: A tripod has an adjustable top plate that supports an equipment foot. The support legs each comprise paired plates. Interposed between the paired plates is a damping material. The damping material damps the tripod and inhibits resonance from passing through the tripod to the supported equipment.

Abstract: A pneumatic isolator supports a payload and dampens the vertical and/or horizontal motion of the payload. The isolator has an air chamber and a damping chamber. A viscous medium is disposed in the damping chamber. A gimbal piston head is flexibly secured to the isolator and a piston well extends downwardly from the piston head and is immersed in the viscous medium. A support rod supports the payload, passes through and is supported by the piston well. The outer surface of the piston well is spaced apart from the opposed surface of the damping chamber and defines a gap therebetween. When horizontal and/or vertical motion acts on the isolator, the piston well moves displacing the viscous medium in the gap resulting in a damping force which is generally proportional and opposite to the velocity of the piston well moving against the viscous medium.

Abstract: A positioning system uses a position feedback signal to position and damp a platform. The position feedback signal is input to an electronic controller that provides a plurality of control signal that are used to position the platform and dampen the platform motion.

Abstract: An active vibration isolation system (10) includes a plurality of stiff actuators, such as piezoelectric motors (12a-c; 284, 350) which support a small mass (18) inside of a case (300). A passive isolator (20) is interposed between the small mass (18) and the payload mass (M.sub.p). In the instance where the stiff actuators are piezoelectric motors, the sidewalls of the case (300) are used to provide compressive force along the variable length of each of the horizontal piezoelectric motor elements (284, 350) to prevent damage to same. Compensation circuitry (24) is connected between velocity sensors (17) and the stiff actuators to control the variable length thereof in this move-out-of-the-way system (10) and to compensate for resonating modes. Optionally, a payload mass velocity sensor (26) and associated circuitry may be used to provide additional control.

Abstract: A horizontal frequency vibration pendulum isolator which comprises a pendulum which has an upper end flexibly secured to a vertical isolator. The pendulum is received within a hollow leg and is supported at its lower end by pendulum wires which wires are secured to the hollow leg which is grounded. The wires are specifically angled with reference to the longitudinal axis of the pendulum to impart to the horizontal isolator a known or designed horizontal stiffness.

Abstract: A honeycomb tabletop where the upper skin has tapped holes formed therein. The tapped holes have a thickened portion at the a top surface of the skin and the tapped holes are characterized by depending extension formed integrally with the tapped holes. Threads are formed on the inner surface of the tapped hole including the sleeve. The depending sleeve effectively increases the number of threads to secure a fastener.

Abstract: An optical tabletop which has dampers located in the corners of an optical tabletop are each a suspended mass through which passes threaded rods. The suspended mass is submerged in a viscous liquid. Adjustment of the rods allows the optical tabletop to be tuned.

Abstract: An adjustable stop assembly for use with a drill press including a ratchet bar adapted to be vertically positioned between spaced ears on the housing of the press and adapted to pass through an annular quill stop carried by the quill of the press so that the quill stop moves up and down the ratchet bar in response to vertical movement of the quill. A slide assembly is positioned on the ratchet bar and includes a slide, a ratchet dog, a stop nut, and a lock nut. The slide includes a lower annular base portion, an upper externally threaded barrel portion, and a central bore slidably passing the ratchet bar. The ratchet dog comprises a spring biased plunger mounted in the slide base portion and having an inner tip for ratcheting engagement with the ratchet bar. The stop nut and the lock nut are threaded onto the externally threaded barrel portion of the slide.

Abstract: An adjustable stop assembly for use with a drill press including a ratchet bar adapted to be vertically positioned between spaced ears on the housing of the press and adapted to pass through an annular quill stop carried by the quill of the press so that the quill stop moves up and down the ratchet bar in response to vertical movement of the quill. A slide assembly is positioned on the ratchet bar and includes a slide, a ratchet dog, a stop nut, and a lock nut. The slide includes a lower annular base portion, an upper externally threaded barrel portion, and a central bore slidably passing the ratchet bar. The ratchet dog comprises a spring biased plunger mounted in the slide base portion and having an inner tip for ratcheting engagement with the ratchet bar. The stop nut and the lock nut are threaded onto the externally threaded barrel portion of the slide.

Abstract: A sensing system for a vibration isolation table. A sensor responsive to the position of the tabletop is spaced apart from the tabletop and provides an output corresponding to the position of the tabletop. The output is modified to provide a control signal and a valve responsive to the modified signal controls the flow of air into and out of an air isolator which supports the load.

Abstract: An optical video system for the inspection and repair of TAB lifted leads. Three distinct light sources are aligned at different angles to illuminate the side of a lead-solder-pad joint. Each of the surfaces of the joint are readily distinguished.

Abstract: A sensing system for a vibration isolation table. A sensor responsive to the position of the tabletop is spaced apart from the tabletop and provides an output corresponding to the position of the tabletop. The output is modified to provide a control signal and a valve responsive to the modified signal controls the flow of air into and out of an air isolator which supports the load.

Abstract: A honeycomb tabletop for use with either a vibration isolation system or a rigid support stand. The tabletop has an upper skin, a lower skin, a connecting side wall, and a honeycomb core. Additional stiffening members and structural damping treatment may also, independently, be incorporated within the honeycomb core. The upper skin of the table has a plurality of tapped holes for mounting equipment. Each hole is sealed off from the interior of the table by a closed cavity enclosure which is secured to the underside of the top skin in registration with each hole. The cavity enclosures keep residue and contaminants from passing to the interior of the tabletop and facilitate cleanup of the tabletop. The enclosures are not subjected to any loads during use of the tapped holes in the top skin. The lower skin may optionally be perforated to prevent internal pressure buildup.

Abstract: A pneumatic piston assembly wherein a first apertured piston having a piston well is secured by a diaphragm to a pneumatic chamber. A load-supporting element is received in and pivotally engages the floor of the piston well. The load to be isolated directly engages the load-supporting element. Vibrational forces acting on the chamber are primarily absorbed by the piston in a gimbal-like fashion, thereby effectively isolating the supported load from such forces.