# US 12,181,016 B2 · Superelastic multi axis flexure > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,181,016 B2 - Document ID: US12181016B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/672,637 - Filed: 2022-02-15 - Published: 2023-08-17 - Granted: 2024-12-31 - Earliest claimed: 2022-02-15 - Assignees: Raytheon Company - Applicants: Raytheon Company - Inventors: Zaffir A. Chaundhry; Ulf Jonsson; Jake B. Range - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12181016B2 ## CPC - F16F 15/04: using elastic means (single elements or their attachment F16F1/00 - F16F13/00); {(F16F15/023, F16F15/03 take precedence)} - F16F 15/06: with metal springs (with rubber springs also F16F15/08) - F16B 2200/77: Use of a shape-memory material - F16F 2224/0258: Shape-memory metals, e.g. Ni-Ti alloys - F16F: SPRINGS; SHOCK-ABSORBERS; MEANS FOR DAMPING VIBRATION - F16B: DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES; JOINTS OR JOINTING (couplings for transmitting rotation F16D) ## Abstract A multi-axis payload isolation device for isolating a payload from outside motions. The multi-axis payload isolation device includes a payload mount base, a housing, and a flexure. The payload mount base is configured to support a payload. The housing includes an interior cavity for receiving and supporting the payload mount base. The flexure includes a plurality of radial supports and a common hub. The plurality of radial supports attach the payload mount base to the housing and are made of a superelastic shape-memory alloy. The common hub is configured to connect each of the plurality of radial supports to the payload mount base. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A multi-axis payload isolation device for isolating a payload from outside motions, the device comprising: a payload mount base configured to support a payload; a housing comprising an interior cavity for receiving and supporting the payload mount base; and a flexure comprising: a plurality of radial supports made of a superelastic shape-memory alloy that attach the payload mount base to the housing; and a common hub configured to connect each of the plurality of radial supports to the payload mount base; wherein the plurality of radial supports comprise a first plurality of radial supports that connect the housing to a first side of the payload mount base at the common hub, the flexure further comprising: a second plurality of radial supports connecting the housing to a second side of the payload mount base opposite the first side at a second common hub; wherein the first plurality of radial supports and the second plurality of radial supports each form a frustoconical configuration extending from the housing to the payload mount base. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The multi-axis payload isolation device of claim 1, wherein the flexure provides isolation for the payload mount base in two or more degrees of freedom. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The multi-axis payload isolation device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of radial supports collectively form a frustoconical configuration. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The multi-axis payload isolation device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of radial supports are arranged in a common plane. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The multi-axis payload isolation device of claim 1, wherein two or more radial supports of the plurality of radial supports collectively are comprised of a single piece of the superelastic shape memory alloy. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The multi-axis payload isolation device of claim 5, wherein the housing comprises a plurality of anchors radially disposed around an opening in the housing; wherein the common hub comprises a plurality of anchors radially disposed around a perimeter of the common hub, the common hub being disposed in the opening of the housing; and wherein the two or more radial supports comprised of the single piece of the superelastic shape memory alloy are alternately wound around the plurality of anchors of the housing and the plurality of anchors of the common hub to suspend the common hub in the opening of the housing. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The multi-axis payload isolation device of claim 6, wherein turning of one or more anchors of the plurality of anchors of the housing, or one or more anchors of the plurality of anchors of the common hub facilitates tightening or loosening of the two or more radial supports. ### Claim 8 (depends on 5) The multi-axis payload isolation device of claim 5, wherein the single piece of superelastic shape memory alloy comprises a continuous wire wrapped around multiple anchors. ### Claim 9 (depends on 6) The multi-axis payload isolation device of claim 6, wherein the single piece of superelastic shape memory alloy comprises a non-continuous wire; and wherein a first end of the non-continuous wire is attached to one of the anchors of the plurality of anchors of the housing or to one of the anchors of the plurality of anchors of the common hub; wherein a second end of the non-continuous wire is attached to one of the anchors of the plurality of anchors of the housing or to one of the anchors of the plurality of anchors of the common hub; wherein the non-continuous wire is configured to be tightened or loosened via the attached anchor. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The multi-axis payload isolation device of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of radial supports are comprised of a single piece of the superelastic shape memory alloy. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The multi-axis payload isolation device of claim 1, further comprising one or more anchors operable to hold each of the plurality of radial supports to the housing; and wherein the common hub comprises one or more anchors operable to hold the plurality of radial supports to the payload mount base. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The multi-axis payload isolation device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of radial supports comprise a first plurality of radial supports connecting the housing to the payload mount base at the common hub, the flexure further comprising: a second plurality of radial supports connecting the housing to the payload mount base at the common hub. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The multi-axis payload isolation device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of radial supports comprise a circular or elliptical shaped cross-section. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The multi-axis payload isolation device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of radial supports comprise a square or rectangular shaped cross-section. ### Claim 15 A multi-axis flexure comprising: a plurality of radial supports made of a superelastic shape-memory alloy; one or more first anchors configured to support each of the plurality of radial supports and operable to facilitate coupling of the flexure to a housing; a common hub configured to support each of the plurality of radial supports and operable to facilitate coupling of the plurality of radial supports to a payload; and one or more second anchors configured to support each of the plurality of radial supports and operable to facilitate coupling of the radial supports to the common hub; wherein the one or more first anchors comprise a clamp operable to hold each of the plurality of radial supports to the housing; and wherein the one or more second anchors comprise a clamp operable to hold each of the plurality of radial supports to the common hub. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) A multi-axis payload isolation system comprising: a payload; a multi-axis payload isolation device for isolating the payload from outside motions, the device comprising: a payload mount base configured to support the payload; a housing comprising an interior cavity for receiving and supporting the payload mount base; and a flexure as recited in claim 15 wherein the payload is attached to the payload mount base. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The multi-axis payload isolation system of claim 16, wherein the payload comprises one or more of an imaging device, a sensor, a mapping device, a recording device, and a targeting device. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The multi-axis flexure of claim 15, wherein the one or more first anchors comprises a plurality of first anchors configured to anchor the plurality of radial supports to a housing; wherein the one or more second anchors comprise a plurality of second anchors radially disposed around a perimeter of the common hub and configured to anchor the plurality of radial supports to the common hub. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The multi-axis flexure of claim 15, wherein the plurality of radial supports collectively form a frustoconical configuration. ### Claim 20 (depends on 15) The multi-axis flexure of claim 15, wherein the plurality of radial supports are arranged in a common plane. ### Claim 21 (depends on 15) The multi-axis flexure of claim 15, wherein two or more radial supports of the plurality of radial supports collectively are comprised of a single piece of the superelastic shape memory alloy. ### Claim 22 (depends on 18) The multi-axis flexure of claim 18, wherein the plurality of radial supports are comprised of a single piece of the superelastic shape memory alloy and are alternately wound around the plurality of first anchors and the plurality of second anchors of the common hub.