VIBRATION ISOLATOR SYSTEM

• US 20100032876A1
• Filed: 03/09/2009
• Published: 02/11/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/07/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: DRS Network & Imaging Systems, LLC (Leonardo S.p.A.)
• Original Assignee: DRS Sensors & Targeting Systems, Inc. (Leonardo S.p.A.)
• Inventors: Brennan, Jason, Cabrera, Reynaldo, Hiley, David
• Granted Patent: US 7,950,633 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 267/140.500
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 15/02 Suppression of vibrations of non-rotating, e.g. reciprocating systems; Suppression of vibrations of rotating systems by use of members not moving with the rotating systems F16F15/005 takes precedence ; layered products B32B; suppression of vibration in ships B63; relieving load on bearings, using magnetic means F16C39/06
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/123 the axis of rotation intersecting in a single point, e.g. by using gimbals
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/14 with ball-joint ball-jointed hinges F16C11/06 ; adjustable mountings employing universal joints for lighting devices F21V21/26 - F21V21/30

Abstract

A vibration isolator system for attaching a payload to a supporting base is provided, the payload having a center of mass and the system consisting of at least three vibration isolating pods. Each pod has two associated, non-parallel, elastic struts. A first end of each strut is attached to the supporting base and a second end of each strut is attached to the payload at a respective mounting point, and the a projected elastic center of the system is substantially co-located with said center of mass. The vibration isoloator system is operable to substantially prevent translational vibration of the supporting base from inducing angular rotation of the payload.

Claims

1. An apparatus for attaching a supported structure to a supporting base, said supported structure having a center of mass, said apparatus comprising:

at least three vibration isolating pods, each said pod comprising two associated, non-parallel, elastic struts, a first end of each said strut attached to the supporting base and a second end of each said strut attached to the supported structure at a respective mounting point, wherein

the apparatus has a projected elastic center substantially co-located with said center of mass.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said apparatus is operable to substantially prevent translational vibration of the supporting base from inducing angular rotation of the supported structure.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each said respective mounting point is located in a common mounting plane and said common mounting plane is substantially distant from said center of mass.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

said center of mass is contained in a principal plane and

each elastic strut has a respective longitudinal axis having a respective point of intersection with the principal plane; and

each said respective point of intersection is equidistant from said center of mass.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein

each said respective mounting point is located in a common mounting plane parallel to the principal plane.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein

each vibration isolating pod comprises two associated co-planar, elastic struts,

each elastic strut has a respective longitudinal axis,

a respective virtual intersection point is associated with each pod, said respective virtual intersection point being a point of intersection between the respective longitudinal axes of the associated elastic struts within each pod;

and

said virtual intersection points are co-planar and equidistant from the center of mass.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said virtual intersection points are not co-located.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the elastic struts are passive.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the supported object is a payload.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the payload is a gimbal assembly.

11. A system, comprising

a payload having a center of mass;

and

a supporting base, said payload attached to said supporting base by apparatus comprising;

at least three vibration isolating pods, each said pod comprising two associated, non-parallel, elastic struts, a first end of each said strut attached to the support and a second end of each said strut attached to the payload at a respective mounting point, wherein the apparatus has a projected elastic center substantially co-located with said center of mass.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein said apparatus is operable to substantially prevent translational vibration of the supporting base from inducing angular rotation of the supported structure.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein each said respective mounting point is located in a common mounting plane and said common mounting plane is substantially distant from said center of mass.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein:

said center of mass is contained in a principal plane and

each elastic strut has a respective longitudinal axis having a respective point of intersection with the principal plane; and

each said respective point of intersection is equidistant from said center of mass.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein:

each said respective mounting point is located in a common mounting plane parallel to the principal plane.

16. The system of claim 11, wherein:

each vibration isolating pod comprises two associated co-planar, elastic struts,

each elastic strut has a respective longitudinal axis,

a respective virtual intersection point is associated with each pod, said respective virtual intersection point being a point of intersection between the respective longitudinal axes of each associated elastic strut within each pod; and

said virtual intersection points are co-planar and equidistant from the center of mass.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein said virtual intersection points are not co-located

18. The system of claim 11, wherein the elastic struts are passive.

19. The system of claim 11, wherein the payload is a gimbal assembly.