Vibration isolating system

An omnidirectional vibration-isolating suspension apparatus for supporting an object in an equilibrium position relative to a base while suppressing transmission of vibratory motion between the object and the base, comprising:

• a vertical-motion isolator for isolating vibratory motion in a vertical direction operatively connected in series with a horizontal-motion isolator for isolating vibratory motion in a horizontal direction and a tilt-motion isolator for isolating tilt motion, said vertical-motion isolator having force-supporting capability in the vertical direction for supporting the object while having relatively high stiffness in any horizontal and rotational direction and relatively low stiffness in the vertical direction;
• said horizontal-motion isolator having force-supporting capability in the vertical direction for supporting the object and relatively high stiffness in the vertical direction and low stiffness in any horizontal direction;
• and
• said tilt-motion isolator having force-supporting capability in the vertical direction for supporting the object and relatively low tilt stiffness for reducing tilt vibration between the object and the base.

A vibration isolator having force-supporting capability in the vertical direction for supporting an object in an equilibrium position relative to a base while suppressing transmission of vibratory motion between the object and the base, comprising:

• a base platform;
• spring means having first and second ends for providing positive stiffness in the vertical direction and having force-supporting capability in the vertical direction for supporting the object;
• means for producing negative stiffness in the vertical direction operatively connected with said spring means, wherein said spring means and said negative-stiffness-producing means combine to produce low vertical stiffness;
• a first spring support near the first end of said spring means;
• a second spring support near the second end of said spring means;
• means for translating the second end of said spring means relative to said first end of said spring means;
• and
• anti-rotation means to inhibit rotation of the second end of said spring means relative to the first end of said spring means when the second end of spring means is translated relative to the first end.

A vibration isolator having force-supporting capability in a vertical axial direction for supporting an object in an equilibrium position relative to a base while suppressing transmission of vibratory motion between the object and the base comprising:

• a base platform;
• spring means having a first and a second end for providing positive stiffness in the vertical direction and having force-supporting capability in the vertical direction for supporting the object, said spring means being operatively connected with said base;
• a central hub assembly attached to said first end of said spring means for supporting the object;
• means for producing negative stiffness in the vertical direction operatively connected with said central hub assembly wherein said spring means and said negative-stiffness-producing means combine to produce low axial stiffness, said negative-stiffness-producing means comprising a first and second radial flexure assembly, each radial flexure assembly being oriented in a direction transverse to the vertical direction and having first and second ends, wherein said first end of said first radial flexure assembly attaches to a first block member and said second end of said first radial flexure assembly attaches to said central hub assembly, said first end of said second radial flexure assembly attaches to said central hub assembly and said second end of said second radial flexure assembly attaches to a second block member, said first and second block members being connected to said base platform, said negative-stiffness-producing means including tensioning means for tensioning said first block member relative to said second block member to produce a compressive loading on said first and second radial flexure assemblies.