Vibration Isolation System With Design For Offloading Payload Forces Acting on Actuator

A system for isolating vibration from a supported payload, the system comprising:

• an actuator positioned on a floor or a base platform opposite a payload;
• an intermediate mass, supported on the actuator, for acting as a stability point to which dynamic forces can be dampened and isolated from the payload;
• a passive damping element coupled at one end to the payload and at an opposite end about the intermediate mass acting as a stability point;
• at least one offload spring situated between the intermediate mass and base platform to permit weight from the payload acting on the actuator to be transferred onto the offload spring;
• a support spring situated in parallel to the passive damper between the payload and the intermediate mass for stabilizing the payload supported on the passive damper;
• and
• a sensor affixed to the intermediate mass to generate a signal, which is a function of movement of the intermediate mass, so feedback can be provided to the actuator assembly for subsequent generation of the stability point on the intermediate mass.

A method for isolating vibration from a payload supported on an isolated platform, the method comprising:

• positioning an actuator on the base platform in parallel to and spaced relation from the supporting spring;
• placing on the actuator, an intermediate mass, so as to permit subsequent generation of a stability point on the intermediate to which vibration and other dynamic forces can be dampened and isolated from the payload;
• situating at least one offload spring under the intermediate mass and on the base platform;
• coupling one end of a passive damper to the isolated platform and an opposite end to an area where the stability point can be generated on the intermediate mass;
• sensing movement of the intermediate mass resulting from dynamic forces being directed thereto by various components, and generating a feedback signal that is a function of the movement of the intermediate mass;
• and
• permitting the actuator, based the feedback signal, to vary in length, so as to generate and maintain the stability point on the intermediate mass to which dynamic forces the can be dampened and isolated from the payload.