Abstract: An isolation system and method are disclosed. The isolation system includes a beam that includes a first end and a second end. The isolation system may include at least one clamping block comprising first elastomeric material, and the first end may be coupled with the first elastomeric material by the at least one clamping block. An end condition of the buckling beam may be varied based on compression stiffening of the first elastomeric material.

Abstract: An isolation system and method are disclosed. The isolation system includes a beam that includes a first end and a second end. The isolation system may include at least one clamping block comprising first elastomeric material, and the first end may be coupled with the first elastomeric material by the at least one clamping block. An end condition of the buckling beam may be varied based on compression stiffening of the first elastomeric material.

Abstract: An isolation system and method are disclosed. The isolation system includes a beam that includes a first end and a second end. The isolation system may include at least one clamping block comprising first elastomeric material, and the first end may be coupled with the first elastomeric material by the at least one clamping block. An end condition of the buckling beam may be varied based on compression stiffening of the first elastomeric material.

Abstract: An instrument package for use during the drilling a wellbore. The instrument package includes a plurality of instruments such as accelerometers, gyroscopes, and magnetometers; a computer is configured to determine the current position of the plurality of instruments from a set of measurements produced by the plurality of instruments; and wherein the plurality of instruments are mechanically isolated from a drill head assembly by one or more multi-degree of freedom vibration isolators. The computer preferably has at least two modes different analytical modes of analyzing the set of measurements produced by the plurality of instruments, including a continuous mode and a survey mode, the continuous mode being operational during times that active drilling is occurring and the survey mode being operational during times that the active drilling is not occurring.

Abstract: A mechanically actuated transmitter is disclosed. The transmitter can comprise a magnetoelastic member; a magnet adjacent to the magnetoelastic member for inducing magnetization in the magnetoelastic member; a mechanical driver for applying mechanical stress to the magnetoelastic material, thereby changing the magnetic permeability of the magnetoelastic material to change an external magnetic field.

Abstract: A multi-axis isolator configured to isolate a payload from unwanted vibrations and shocks includes a housing, at least one pair of radial isolators in the housing, and an axial isolator in the housing. Each radial isolator includes an elastomer dome, a chamber at least partially defined by the elastomer dome, and a fluid in the chamber. The multi-axis isolator also includes a fluid track placing the chambers of the radial isolators in fluid communication with each other. The axial isolator includes an elastomer dome, a backpressure membrane, a primary chamber, a backpressure chamber, a fluid in the primary and backpressure chambers, a conduit placing the primary chamber in fluid communication with the backpressure chamber. The multi-axis isolator also includes a shaft configured to be connected to the payload. The pair of radial isolators and the axial isolator are coupled to the shaft.

Abstract: A magnetic transmitting antenna has a beam member having a first end and a second end, wherein the beam member comprising: an elastic member; at least one magnetoelastic member disposed on a first surface of the elastic member; and an actuator disposed on a second surface of the elastic member, wherein the actuator is configured to apply stress to the elastic member thereby applying a bending stress thereto for changing the magnetic permeability of the at least one magnetoelastic member, which in turn, changes an external magnetic field. At least one magnet is disposed adjacent to the magnetoelastic member such that magnetization is induced in the magnetoelastic member.

Abstract: A system configured to provide thermal regulation and vibration isolation to one or more electronic components. The system includes a sensor chassis defining an interior chamber, an electronics housing in the interior chamber of the sensor chassis, a thermoelectric cooler coupled between the sensor chassis and the electronics housing, a thermal strap coupled to the sensor chassis, and at least one isolator coupled to the sensor chassis. The system may also include an insulating material, such as Aerogel, in the interior chamber of the sensor chassis and extending around the electronics housing.

Abstract: An isolator configured to isolate a payload from unwanted vibrations and shocks. The isolator includes a housing having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, a primary chamber defined in the housing, a backpressure chamber defined in the housing, a conduit placing the primary chamber in fluid communication with the backpressure chamber, a backpressure membrane in the housing proximate the first end, an elastomer dome in the housing proximate the second end, and a shaft connected to the elastomer dome. The primary chamber and the backpressure chamber are between the backpressure membrane and the elastomer dome. The shaft is configured to be connected to the payload.

Abstract: An auxetic interposer includes: a frame enclosing an interior space; a pad arranged within the interior space; and a plurality of micro auxetic lattices extending between the frame and the pad.

Abstract: A watercraft includes a hull having inner and outer surfaces and at least one collapsible strake coupled to the hull. The collapsible strake includes a movable skin hingedly coupled to the hull. The collapsible strake also includes a dampening element and a negative stiffness element each extending from an inner surface of the movable skin to the outer surface of the hull. The movable skin is configured to rotate between an uncollapsed configuration having a first stiffness and a collapsed configuration having a second stiffness greater than the first stiffness.

Abstract: A watercraft includes a hull having inner and outer surfaces and at least one collapsible strake coupled to the hull. The collapsible strake includes a movable skin hingedly coupled to the hull. The collapsible strake also includes a dampening element and a negative stiffness element each extending from an inner surface of the movable skin to the outer surface of the hull. The movable skin is configured to rotate between an uncollapsed configuration having a first stiffness and a collapsed configuration having a second stiffness greater than the first stiffness.

Abstract: A negative stiffness structure for vibration isolation, shock mitigation, and/or signal processing includes a flexible tensile member and a curved compressive member. A first end of the tensile member is attached to a first structure. A first end of the curved compressive member is coupled to a first structure and a second end of the curved compressive member is coupled to a second end of the flexible tensile member. A length of the tensile member is greater than a length of the compressive member. A tip of the negative stiffness structure is configured to exhibit a negative stiffness mechanical response to a load applied to the tip. The negative stiffness mechanical response acts in a direction orthogonal to the length of the tensile member.

Abstract: An instrument package for use during the drilling a wellbore. The instrument package includes a plurality of instruments such as accelerometers, gyroscopes, and magnetometers; a computer is configured to determine the current position of the plurality of instruments from a set of measurements produced by the plurality of instruments; and wherein the plurality of instruments are mechanically isolated from a drill head assembly by one or more multi-degree of freedom vibration isolators. The computer preferably has at least two modes different analytical modes of analyzing the set of measurements produced by the plurality of instruments, including a continuous mode and a survey mode, the continuous mode being operational during times that active drilling is occurring and the survey mode being operational during times that the active drilling is not occurring.

Abstract: A variable stiffness structure includes a first negative stiffness element configured to buckle in a first direction, a second negative stiffness element configured to buckle in a second direction opposite to the first direction, and an actuator operatively coupled to ends of the first and second negative stiffness elements to control a stiffness of the variable stiffness structure. The first negative stiffness element and the second negative stiffness element are mode-3 buckling beams.

Abstract: An adjustable negative stiffness mechanism is disclosed. The adjustable negative stiffness mechanism includes a central shaft, an outer annular member extending around the central shaft, at least two negative stiffness elements extending between the central shaft and the annular member, and an actuator coupled to the negative stiffness elements. Each of the negative stiffness elements has an inner end coupled to the central shaft and an outer end engaging the annular member. The actuator is configured to compress and expand the negative stiffness elements to adjust a negative stiffness mechanical response exhibited by the negative stiffness elements.

Abstract: A system configured to provide thermal regulation and vibration isolation to one or more electronic components. The system includes a sensor chassis defining an interior chamber, an electronics housing in the interior chamber of the sensor chassis, a thermoelectric cooler coupled between the sensor chassis and the electronics housing, a thermal strap coupled to the sensor chassis, and at least one isolator coupled to the sensor chassis. The system may also include an insulating material, such as Aerogel, in the interior chamber of the sensor chassis and extending around the electronics housing.

Abstract: An isolator configured to isolate a payload from unwanted vibrations and shocks. The isolator includes a housing having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, a primary chamber defined in the housing, a backpressure chamber defined in the housing, a conduit placing the primary chamber in fluid communication with the backpressure chamber, a backpressure membrane in the housing proximate the first end, an elastomer dome in the housing proximate the second end, and a shaft connected to the elastomer dome. The primary chamber and the backpressure chamber are between the backpressure membrane and the elastomer dome. The shaft is configured to be connected to the payload.

Abstract: An adjustable negative stiffness mechanism is disclosed. The adjustable negative stiffness mechanism includes a central shaft, an outer annular member extending around the central shaft, at least two negative stiffness elements extending between the central shaft and the annular member, and an actuator coupled to the negative stiffness elements. Each of the negative stiffness elements has an inner end coupled to the central shaft and an outer end engaging the annular member. The actuator is configured to compress and expand the negative stiffness elements to adjust a negative stiffness mechanical response exhibited by the negative stiffness elements.

Abstract: A variable stiffness structure includes a first negative stiffness element configured to buckle in a first direction, a second negative stiffness element configured to buckle in a second direction opposite to the first direction, and an actuator operatively coupled to ends of the first and second negative stiffness elements to control a stiffness of the variable stiffness structure. The first negative stiffness element and the second negative stiffness element are mode-3 buckling beams.