Abstract: A device for an extensible and compressible friction-based damper which selectively resists stroking in a first direction while freely sliding in the opposite direction. Resistance is proportional to an adjustable and pre-settable value, which provides and adjustable static-hold capability. Sliding resistance being substantially independent of the relative position, velocity, acceleration or jerk (d3x/dt3) imposed upon it. Dampers according to the present disclosure can eliminate resonance amplification when combined with other conventional suspension components. The damper may be used in applications such as isolation mounts. Also disclosed is a method for a high-performance isolation mount to protect a Payload (persons or equipment) from mechanical shock and vibration, incorporating one or more dampers according to the present disclosure together with one or more elastic elements. A device made according to the present disclosure is dubbed a Smooth Transient Excursion Non-Resonant (STEN-R) Damper.

Abstract: A passive/reactive device protects a Payload from injury or damage due to the shock caused by impact or explosion. When the vehicle or structure mounting the Payload receives a shock pulse, the invention limits the acceleration transmitted from the vehicle or structure to the Payload to an acceptably low, user-adjustable level which is substantially constant or is some other user-adjustable force-displacement function. The invention is capable of doing so even when the peak magnitude of the imposed shock is on the order of thousands of G's, with a rise time to peak on the order of microseconds. The invention can be embodied to operate passively, without any external source of power, sensor system, or CPU, although they can be added to improve certain usability features. The invention also absorbs or dissipates the shock energy in substantially the minimum distance possible without exceeding the user-defined acceleration limit on the Payload.