Adjustable vibration isolation and tuned mass damper systems
First Claim
1. A vibration isolation system comprising a supporting base, an isolated mass, at least one air mount, a control valve, a compressed air supply, and a supervisory controller, wherein:
- the air mount is positioned between the isolated mass and the supporting base;
the control valve is pneumatically coupled to the air mount, the compressed air supply, and atmosphere, and is operable to adjust a flow of air to and from the air mount; and
the supervisory controller is operable to receive a mass relative height signal corresponding to a relative vertical displacement of the mass with respect to the supporting base or an air pressure of the air mount, a mass relative velocity signal corresponding to a relative velocity of the mass with respect to the supporting base, and a mass relative acceleration signal corresponding to a relative acceleration of the isolated mass with respect to the supporting base or the air pressure of the air mount, and programmed to control the control valve such that a mounting height of the air mount, a damping level of the air mount, and a stiffness level of the air mount are a function of the mass relative height signal, the mass relative velocity signal, the mass relative acceleration feedback signal, or combinations thereof.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Particular embodiments relate generally to vibration isolation systems and tuned mass dampers. In one embodiment, a vibration isolation system may include a supporting base, an isolated mass, at least one air mount, a control valve, a compressed air supply, and a supervisory controller. The air mount is positioned between the isolated mass and the supporting base. The control valve is pneumatically coupled to the air mount, the compressed air supply and the atmosphere, and is operable to adjust a flow of air to and from the air mount. The supervisory controller receives a mass relative height signal, a mass relative velocity signal, and a mass relative acceleration feedback signal corresponding to a relative acceleration of the isolated mass or a pressure of the air mount. The supervisory controller may control the control valve such that a mounting height, a damping and a stiffness level of the air mount are a function of the mass relative height signal, the mass relative velocity signal, the mass relative acceleration feedback signal, or combinations thereof.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A vibration isolation system comprising a supporting base, an isolated mass, at least one air mount, a control valve, a compressed air supply, and a supervisory controller, wherein:
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the air mount is positioned between the isolated mass and the supporting base; the control valve is pneumatically coupled to the air mount, the compressed air supply, and atmosphere, and is operable to adjust a flow of air to and from the air mount; and the supervisory controller is operable to receive a mass relative height signal corresponding to a relative vertical displacement of the mass with respect to the supporting base or an air pressure of the air mount, a mass relative velocity signal corresponding to a relative velocity of the mass with respect to the supporting base, and a mass relative acceleration signal corresponding to a relative acceleration of the isolated mass with respect to the supporting base or the air pressure of the air mount, and programmed to control the control valve such that a mounting height of the air mount, a damping level of the air mount, and a stiffness level of the air mount are a function of the mass relative height signal, the mass relative velocity signal, the mass relative acceleration feedback signal, or combinations thereof. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A vibration isolation system comprising a supporting base, an isolated mass, at least one main air mount, at least one main control valve, at least one stiffness air mount, at least one stiffness control valve, and a compressed air supply, wherein:
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the main air mount is pneumatically coupled to the main control valve and is operable to provide a flow of air to and from the main air mount; the stiffness air mount is pneumatically coupled to the stiffness control valve and is operable to provide a flow of air to and from the stiffness air mount; the main air mount and the stiffness air mount are positioned between the isolated mass and the supporting base; the stiffness air mount is operable to enter an engaged state wherein the stiffness air mount is engaged with the isolated mass, and a disengaged state wherein the stiffness air mount is disengaged from the isolated mass; and the vibration isolation system is configured to receive an engagement signal, engage the stiffness air mount with the isolated mass in accordance with the engagement signal, vary an air pressure in the stiffness air mount in accordance with the engagement signal, and disengage the stiffness air mount in accordance with the engagement signal. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A tuned mass damper comprising an inertia element, at least one air spring, at least one control valve, a compressed air supply, and a supervisory controller, wherein:
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the control valve is pneumatically coupled to the air spring, the compressed air supply, and atmosphere, and is operable to adjust a flow of air to and from the air spring; the inertia element is configured to be coupled to a vibrating structure such that the air spring is positioned between the inertia element and the vibrating structure; a mass of the inertia element and a stiffness of the air spring are such that a resonant frequency of the inertia element and the air spring is substantially equal to a vibration frequency of the vibrating structure; and the supervisory controller is operable to dynamically adjust a damping level of the air spring and a stiffness level of the air spring by applying a drive signal to the control valve. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification