Active vibration isolation system
AssigneeTechnical Manufacturing Corporation
InventorsEmil Kraner, Antonio Lopes
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An active damping system for use in connection with a vibration isolation system includes an intermediate mass between a base and an isolated payload. The intermediate mass is supported by at least one support element which also supports at least substantially all of the static forces of the isolated payload. An actuator dampens and isolates dynamic forces acting on the intermediate mass from the isolated payload. The active damping system also includes a payload support element and a passive damping element, both of which are coupled at one end to the payload platform and at an opposite end to the intermediate mass. A sensor is affixed to the intermediate mass to generate a feedback signal to a processor coupled to the actuator.
Claims24
An active damping system comprising:
- an intermediate mass;
- a payload support having a first spring rate and adapted to couple between an isolated payload and the intermediate mass;
- an intermediate mass support having a second spring rate and adapted to couple between the intermediate mass and a base, wherein the second spring rate is greater than the first spring rate;
- a first active damping actuator having one end coupled to the intermediate mass and an opposite end adapted to couple to the base, wherein the first active damping actuator exhibits a stiffness that is less than a stiffness exhibited by the intermediate mass support;
- a first sensor configured to generate a first signal responsive to movement of the intermediate mass caused by dynamic forces;
- and
- a compensation module configured to couple to the first sensor and the first active damping actuator, wherein the compensation module is configured to receive the first signal and actuate the first active damping actuator to compensate for the dynamic forces acting on the intermediate mass.
An active vibration cancellation assembly including a plurality of active damping systems, each active damping system comprising:
- an intermediate mass;
- a payload support having a first spring rate and adapted to couple between an isolated payload and the intermediate mass;
- an intermediate mass support having a second spring rate and adapted to couple between the intermediate mass and a base, wherein the second spring rate is greater than the first spring rate;
- an active damping actuator having one end coupled to the intermediate mass and an opposite end adapted to couple to the base, wherein the active damping actuator exhibits a stiffness that is less than a stiffness exhibited by the intermediate mass support;
- a first sensor configured to generate a first signal responsive to movement of the intermediate mass caused by dynamic forces;
- and
- a compensation module configured to couple to the first sensor and the active damping actuator, wherein the compensation module is configured to receive the first signal and actuate the active damping actuator to compensate for the dynamic forces acting on the intermediate mass.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.