Large airborne stabilization/vibration isolation system

A vibration isolation apparatus that supports a payload from a vibrating platform or floor comprising a passive isolator connected between the floor and payload, an active isolator having a set of actuators connected between the floor and payload, a set of displacement sensors connected between the floor and payload, and a controller connected electrically to the sensors and to the actuators such that the lowest frequency at which the system begins to provide isolation of the payload from the floor can be varied from as low as 0.1 Hz to over 3.0 Hz, wherein the active isolator comprises plural voice-coil actuators connected mechanically between the payload and platform and electrically to the controller, wherein the plural voice coil actuators comprise plural horizontal and plural vertical voice-coil actuators connected mechanically between the payload and platform and electrically to the controller.

A vibration isolation method for isolation of a payload from a vibrating floor, providing a passive isolation mount connecting the payload and floor, providing plural horizontal and vertical actuators producing force on the payload reacted against the floor, sensing relative displacement between the payload and floor, sensing absolute acceleration of the payload and the floor, and controlling motion of the payload by a controller that causes payload vibration to be attenuated to a level below that of the floor starting at a lower frequency that can be adjusted between 0.1 Hz and 3.0 Hz.

Stabilization and vibration isolation apparatus comprising a platform, flexure columns mounted on the platform, cylinders mounted on the flexure columns, external tanks connected to the cylinders, frictionless pistons mounted in the cylinders, flexure u-joints connected to the pistons, a payload connected to the flexure u-joints, coil actuators connected to the payload and a controller connected to the coil actuators for controlling the coil actuator.

Stabilization and vibration isolation apparatus comprising an airmount actuator for mounting between a payload and a floor, the airmount actuator comprising a baseplate for fixing on the floor, flexure rods fixed on the baseplate, a frame mounted on the flexure rods, the frame further comprising an air cylinder and a bearing plate on the air cylinder, and bearing housing tubes connected to the bearing plate, air bearing journals mounted in the tubes, a carriage having a crossmember, rails connected to the crossmember and positioned in the air journal bearings, a flexure U-joint assembly mounted on the crossmember, an air piston in the air cylinder and connected to the flexure U-joint assembly and connectors on the U-joint assembly for connecting to the payload.

Stabilization and vibration isolator apparatus comprising a horizontal actuator, the horizontal actuator further comprising a magnet frame comprising a back iron, a front iron and magnet segments connected between the front iron and the back iron, an inner iron connected to the front and back irons and spaced from the magnet segments, a base connected to the magnet frame, bearing tubes connected to the frame, air bearings mounted in the bearing tubes, a carriage, carriage rails connected to the carriage and mounted in the air bearings, a coil mounted in a space between the inner iron and magnet segments and between the front and back irons, a coil support connected to the coil and to the rails, and a push member connected to the carriage for connecting the carriage to the payload.