Proactive shock absorption and vibration isolation

Abstract

Disclosed are methods and apparatuses for varying stiffness and/or damping characteristics of a vibration isolation system based on the machine's control signal which indicates the motion status of at least one movable component of a machine supported by the vibration isolation system. The motion status of the movable component can be monitored via parameters such as the electrical power being injected into the motor of the movable component. More stiffness and/or damping are provided to absorb shocks generated while the movable component accelerates or decelerates and less stiffness and/or damping are provided while the movable component moves at a nominally constant speed or stands still. The stiffness and/or damping characteristics of a vibration isolation system are varied by controlling one or more of the following: 1) the gas flow rate between two gas chambers, 2) the strength of a magnetic field applied to a magnetorheological fluid or ferrofluid, and 3) the strength of an electric field applied to an electrorheological fluid.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.