Tri-adaptive apparatus for shock and vibration protection

A tri-adaptive apparatus configured for functioning as a dynamic force isolation and dampening metamaterial that reduces the transmission of dynamic forces between a dynamic force source and an at least one object, the apparatus comprising:

• a plurality of unit cells positioned in a side-by-side arrangement so as to form an at least one cell assembly, each unit cell comprising:
• a pair of opposing first and second cell plates;
• an outer surface of the first cell plate positioned in direct or indirect abutting contact with the dynamic force source;
• an outer surface of the second cell plate positioned in direct or indirect abutting contact with the at least one object;
• a pair of spaced apart restrainers engaged with an inner surface of the first cell plate and extending a distance substantially perpendicularly therefrom so as to be positioned proximal to an inner surface of the second cell plate when the unit cell is in a neutral state;
• an at least one substantially horizontally-oriented spring engaged with and extending between the restrainers, the at least one spring configured for biasing the unit cell into a neutral state;
• and
• the at least one spring further configured for expanding and contracting laterally in the direction of the restrainers upon being subjected to dynamic forces from the dynamic force source, thereby bringing the at least one spring into frictional sliding contact with the restrainers and forming an at least one energy dissipative dashpot therebetween;
• whereby, the at least one spring, restrainer and dashpot are able to transfer dynamic force energy mutually between one another while deforming mechanically in response to the dynamic forces transmitted by the dynamic force source.

A tri-adaptive apparatus configured for functioning as a dynamic force isolation and dampening metamaterial that reduces the transmission of dynamic forces between a dynamic force source and an at least one object, the apparatus comprising:

• an at least one unit cell comprising:
• a pair of opposing first and second cell plates;
• an outer surface of the first cell plate positioned in direct or indirect abutting contact with the dynamic force source;
• an outer surface of the second cell plate positioned in direct or indirect abutting contact with the at least one object;
• a pair of spaced apart first restrainers engaged with an inner surface of the first cell plate and extending a distance substantially perpendicularly therefrom so as to be positioned proximal to an inner surface of the second cell plate when the unit cell is in a neutral state;
• a pair of spaced apart second restrainers engaged with the inner surface of the second cell plate and extending a distance substantially perpendicularly therefrom so as to be positioned proximal to the inner surface of the first cell plate when the unit cell is in a neutral state;
• an at least one substantially horizontally-oriented spring engaged with and extending between the first restrainers, the at least one spring constructed out of a substantially planar membrane and configured for biasing the unit cell into a neutral state;
• and
• the at least one spring further configured for expanding and contracting laterally in the direction of the first and second restrainers upon being subjected to dynamic forces from the dynamic force source, thereby bringing the first restrainers into frictional sliding contact with the second restrainers and forming an at least one energy dissipative dashpot therebetween;
• whereby, the at least one spring, at least one dashpot and restrainers are able to transfer dynamic force energy mutually between one another while deforming mechanically in response to the dynamic forces transmitted by the dynamic force source.