Abstract: A tuned mass damper is provided for use with a structure that vibrates at a first axial surge mode and a second axial surge mode, when exposed to a predetermined frequency range. The tuned mass damper includes a housing, an endcap, two masses, and two springs. The first and second masses are disposed in a housing cavity. The first tuned mass damper spring is disposed in the cavity coupling the first mass and the endcap. The second tuned mass damper spring is disposed in the cavity coupling the first and second masses. The tuned mass damper has first and second resonant frequencies in the predetermined frequency range to damp the first and second axial surge modes, respectively. The second mass resonates at an amplitude that is greater than an amplitude at which the first mass resonates, when the two masses are subjected to the second axial surge mode.

Abstract: A vibration isolation apparatus is provided that includes a main spring and a tuned mass damper. The main spring has a first end and a second end, and is configured to resonate when vibrated within a predetermined frequency range with a first axial surge mode having a magnitude. The tuned mass damper is coupled to the main spring at a first axial position located substantially equidistantly between the main spring first end and the main spring second end and is configured to reduce the first axial surge mode magnitude at least 50% when the main spring is vibrated within the predetermined frequency range. Methods of manufacturing the vibration isolation apparatus are also provided.

Abstract: Fluid amplifiers and vibration damping and isolation systems are provided. A fluid amplifier includes a housing assembly, a piezo-electric element, two amplification stages, and a rod. The piezo-electric element is disposed within the housing assembly and is capable of being energized to lengthen axially to provide an input stroke at an initial magnitude. The first amplification stage is disposed within the housing assembly adjacent to the piezo-electric element and is adapted to amplify the input stroke from the piezo-electric element to a first magnitude. The second amplification stage is disposed in series with the first amplification stage and is adapted to increase the input stroke from the first magnitude to a second magnitude that is greater than the first magnitude to yield an amplified input stroke. The rod extends through the second amplification stage and is coupled thereto to transmit the amplified input stroke having the second magnitude.

Abstract: Fluid amplifiers and vibration damping and isolation systems are provided. A fluid amplifier includes a housing assembly, a piezo-electric element, two amplification stages, and a rod. The piezo-electric element is disposed within the housing assembly and is capable of being energized to lengthen axially to provide an input stroke at an initial magnitude. The first amplification stage is disposed within the housing assembly adjacent to the piezo-electric element and is adapted to amplify the input stroke from the piezo-electric element to a first magnitude. The second amplification stage is disposed in series with the first amplification stage and is adapted to increase the input stroke from the first magnitude to a second magnitude that is greater than the first magnitude to yield an amplified input stroke. The rod extends through the second amplification stage and is coupled thereto to transmit the amplified input stroke having the second magnitude.

Abstract: A tuned mass damper is provided for use with a structure that vibrates at a first axial surge mode and a second axial surge mode, when exposed to a predetermined frequency range. The tuned mass damper includes a housing, an endcap, two masses, and two springs. The first and second masses are disposed in a housing cavity. The first tuned mass damper spring is disposed in the cavity coupling the first mass and the endcap. The second tuned mass damper spring is disposed in the cavity coupling the first and second masses. The tuned mass damper has first and second resonant frequencies in the predetermined frequency range to damp the first and second axial surge modes, respectively. The second mass resonates at an amplitude that is greater than an amplitude at which the first mass resonates, when the two masses are subjected to the second axial surge mode.

Abstract: A vibration isolation apparatus is provided that includes a main spring and a tuned mass damper. The main spring has a first end and a second end, and is configured to resonate when vibrated within a predetermined frequency range with a first axial surge mode having a magnitude. The tuned mass damper is coupled to the main spring at a first axial position located substantially equidistantly between the main spring first end and the main spring second end and is configured to reduce the first axial surge mode magnitude at least 50% when the main spring is vibrated within the predetermined frequency range. Methods of manufacturing the vibration isolation apparatus are also provided.

Abstract: Apparatus are provided for a damping system. The system includes a housing having an inner surface defining a passage therethrough, a first bellows disposed within the passage, the first bellows having an outer surface and spaced apart from the housing inner surface to define a first chamber having a volume, a second bellows disposed within the passage, the second bellows having an outer surface and spaced apart from the housing inner surface to define a second chamber having a volume, a restrictive flow passage in fluid communication with the first and second chambers, fluid disposed within the first chamber, the second chamber, and the restrictive flow passage, and a piston coupled to the second bellows and disposed at least partially within the restrictive flow passage, the piston configured to selectively receive a force to thereby move the piston through the housing passage.

Abstract: An isolation strut and strut support system for supporting a load and capable of operating in a first mode and a second mode comprising an air suspension spring connected to a load bearing shaft; a hydraulic damping element having a first chamber and a second chamber separated by a piston connected to the load bearing shaft. A hydraulic line has a valve therein, one end of the hydraulic line connected to the first chamber and the other end of the hydraulic line connected to the second chamber. A vibration detector is coupled to the valve for actuating the valve upon the occurrence of vibration of an abnormal quality; whereby, in a first mode of operation the load is rigidly attached to the ground via a load path through the hydraulic damping element and in a second mode the load is isolated by the air suspension spring and damped by the hydraulic damping element.

Abstract: A hermetic seal (10) for a limited rotation device (12) includes a plurality of vertical convolutes (18) bonded to a device housing (16) at their respective first ends (19). At their respective second ends (21), plurality of the vertical convolutes (18) are bonded to a plurality of horizontal convolutes (20). The plurality of horizontal convolutes (20) are bonded to a device shaft (14) at an end opposite of the plurality of vertical convolutes (18). The plurality of vertical convolutes (18) stretch in order to provide limited rotation and the horizontal convolutes (20) expand or contract to accommodate length changes of the plurality of vertical convolutes (18). The hermetic seal (10) permits limited rotation while defining a barrier (26) and preventing viscous fluid leakage to an external environment.

Abstract: A rotary damper (10) includes a stationary member (12) and a rotating member (14) provided within the stationary member (12) so that a gap (16) is defined between the rotating member (14) and the stationary member (12). The rotating member (14) further includes a central shaft (18) provided therein. A viscous fluid (19) is provided in the gap (16) and has an associated shear that provides a velocity damping within the gap (16). A differential growth in the gap (16) caused by temperature variation compensates for temperature damping variation. A compliant member (20) is provided within the stationary member (12) for providing thermal compensation. A secondary hermetic seal (26) is provided on the stationary member (12) for permitting limited rotation, defining a vacuum environment and preventing viscous fluid leakage to an external environment.

Abstract: A rotary damper (10) includes a stationary member (12) and a rotating member (14) provided within the stationary member (12) so that a gap (16) is defined between the rotating member (14) and the stationary member (12). The rotating member (14) further includes a central shaft (18) provided therein. A viscous fluid (19) is provided in the gap (16) and has an associated shear that provides a velocity damping within the gap (16). A differential growth in the gap (16) caused by temperature variation compensates for temperature damping variation. A compliant member (20) is provided within the stationary member (12) for providing thermal compensation. A secondary hermetic seal (26) is provided on the stationary member (12) for permitting limited rotation, defining a vacuum environment and preventing viscous fluid leakage to an external environment.

Abstract: A hermetic seal (10) for a limited rotation device (12) includes a plurality of vertical convolutes (18) bonded to a device housing (16) at their respective first ends (19). At their respective second ends (21), plurality of the vertical convolutes (18) are bonded to a plurality of horizontal convolutes (20). The plurality of horizontal convolutes (20) are bonded to a device shaft (14) at an end opposite of the plurality of vertical convolutes (18). The plurality of vertical convolutes (18) stretch in order to provide limited rotation and the horizontal convolutes (20) expand or contract to accommodate length changes of the plurality of vertical convolutes (18). The hermetic seal (10) permits limited rotation while defining a barrier (26) and preventing viscous fluid leakage to an external environment.

Abstract: An isolation strut and strut support system for supporting a load and capable of operating in a first mode and a second mode comprising an air suspension spring connected to a load bearing shaft; a hydraulic damping element having a first chamber and a second chamber separated by a piston connected to the load bearing shaft. A hydraulic line has a valve therein, one end of the hydraulic line connected to the first chamber and the other end of the hydraulic line connected to the second chamber. A vibration detector is coupled to the valve for actuating the valve upon the occurrence of vibration of an abnormal quality; whereby, in a first mode of operation the load is rigidly attached to the ground via a load path through the hydraulic damping element and in a second mode the load is isolated by the air suspension spring and damped by the hydraulic damping element.