Vibrator isolator system

Abstract

A vibration isolator system for attaching a payload to a supporting base is provided, the payload having a center of mass and the system consisting of at least three vibration isolating pods. Each pod has two associated, non-parallel, elastic struts. A first end of each strut is attached to the supporting base and a second end of each strut is attached to the payload at a respective mounting point, and the a projected elastic center of the system is substantially co-located with said center of mass. The vibration isolator system is operable to substantially prevent translational vibration of the supporting base from inducing angular rotation of the payload.

1 . An apparatus for attaching a supported structure to a supporting base, said supported structure having a center of mass, said apparatus comprising:
 at least three vibration isolating pods, each said pod comprising two associated, non-parallel, elastic struts, a first end of each said strut attached to the supporting base and a second end of each said strut attached to the supported structure at a respective mounting point, wherein
 the apparatus has a projected elastic center substantially co-located with said center of mass. 
   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said apparatus is operable to substantially prevent translational vibration of the supporting base from inducing angular rotation of the supported structure. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein each said respective mounting point is located in a common mounting plane and said common mounting plane is substantially distant from said center of mass. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein:
 said center of mass is contained in a principal plane and   each elastic strut has a respective longitudinal axis having a respective point of intersection with the principal plane; and   each said respective point of intersection is equidistant from said center of mass.   
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein
 each said respective mounting point is located in a common mounting plane parallel to the principal plane.   
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein
 each vibration isolating pod comprises two associated co-planar, elastic struts,   each elastic strut has a respective longitudinal axis,   a respective virtual intersection point is associated with each pod, said respective virtual intersection point being a point of intersection between the respective longitudinal axes of the associated elastic struts within each pod; and   said virtual intersection points are co-planar and equidistant from the center of mass.   
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein said virtual intersection points are not co-located. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the elastic struts are passive. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the supported object is a payload. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the payload is a gimbal assembly. 
     
     
         11 . A system, comprising
 a payload having a center of mass; and   a supporting base, said payload attached to said supporting base by apparatus comprising:   at least three vibration isolating pods, each said pod comprising two associated, non-parallel, elastic struts, a first end of each said strut attached to the support and a second end of each said strut attached to the payload at a respective mounting point, wherein the apparatus has a projected elastic center substantially co-located with said center of mass.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein said apparatus is operable to substantially prevent translational vibration of the supporting base from inducing angular rotation of the supported structure. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein each said respective mounting point is located in a common mounting plane and said common mounting plane is substantially distant from said center of mass. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein:
 said center of mass is contained in a principal plane and   each elastic strut has a respective longitudinal axis having a respective point of intersection with the principal plane; and   each said respective point of intersection is equidistant from said center of mass.   
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein:
 each said respective mounting point is located in a common mounting plane parallel to the principal plane.   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein:
 each vibration isolating pod comprises two associated co-planar, elastic struts,   each elastic strut has a respective longitudinal axis,   a respective virtual intersection point is associated with each pod, said respective virtual intersection point being a point of intersection between the respective longitudinal axes of each associated elastic strut within each pod; and   said virtual intersection points are co-planar and equidistant from the center of mass.   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein said virtual intersection points are not co-located 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the elastic struts are passive. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the payload is a gimbal assembly.