Fluidic vibration cancellation mount and method

Claim 2

A vibration cancellation mount for use in a vibration cancellation system that includes a controller generating an electrical vibration cancellation signal and an air supply, comprising; an electroacoustic transducer electrically coupled to said controller for converting said electrical cancellation signal into an acoustical cancellation signal, an elastomeric air spring; and a fluidic driver, in fluid communication with said air supply and said transducer, for varying the flow rate of a jet of air synchronously with said acoustical cancellation signal, said air spring receiving said air jet and expanding and contracting in response thereto.

Claim 3

The vibration cancellation mount of claim 1 wherein said air spring has an active chamber.

Claim 4

The vibration cancellation mount of claim 2 wherein said active chamber defines an interior volume with its largest linear dimension less than the wavelength of the acoustical cancellation signal at its highest frequency so that a standing wave is not generated therein when operating at said highest frequency.

Claim 5

The vibration cancellation mount of claim 3 wherein said linear dimension is at least one tenth the wavelength of the acoustical cancellation signal at its highest frequency.

Claim 6

The vibration cancellation mount of claim 2 wherein said air spring has a passive chamber separated from said active chamber by a reaction mass, said active and passive chambers being in fluid communication via an orifice.

Claim 7

The vibration cancellation mount of claim 5 wherein said active chamber defines an interior volume having its largest linear dimension less than the wavelength of the acoustical cancellation signal at its highest frequency so that a standing wave is not generated therein when operating at said highest frequency.

Claim 8

The vibration cancellation mount of claim 6 wherein said linear dimension is at least one tenth the wavelength of the acoustical cancellation signal at its highest frequency.

Claim 9

The vibration cancellation mount of claim 1 wherein said fluidic driver includes a plurality of fluidic laminae configured and arranged as a plurality of fluidic proportional amplifier stages in series.

Claim 10

The vibration cancellation mount of claim 8 wherein said fluidic laminae has a means for receiving said acoustical cancellation signal.

Claim 11

A vibration cancellation mount for use in a vibration cancellation system for isolating a first structure from a second vibrating structure that includes a controller generating an electrical vibration cancellation signal and an air supply, comprising; an electroacoustic transducer electrically coupled to said controller for converting said electrical cancellation signal into an acoustical cancellation signal, an elastomeric air spring having a rigid base mounted to said first structure; a stack of fluidic laminae having an air supply port, first and second control ports, a vent port, and an output port; an inlet member mounted between said stack and said vibrating structure, said inlet member having a first port for communicating air from said air supply to said supply port and said first and second control ports, a second port for communicating air from said vent port to said air supply, a slot for receiving said electroacoustic transducer, and an inlet conduit between said transducer and said first control port; and an outlet member disposed between said stack and said air spring, said outlet member having an exit conduit between said output port and said air spring.

Claim 12

A vibration cancellation mount for use in a vibration cancellation system for isolating a first structure from a second vibrating structure that includes a controller generating an electrical vibration cancellation signal and an air supply, comprising; an electroacoustic transducer electrically coupled to said controller for converting said electrical cancellation signal into an acoustical cancellation signal, an elastomeric air spring having a rigid base mounted to said first structure; a stack of fluidic laminae having an air supply port, first and second control ports, a vent port, and an output port; an inlet member mounted between said stack and said vibrating structure, said inlet member having a first port for communicating air from said air supply to said supply port and said first and second control ports, a second port for communicating air from said vent port to said air supply, a slot for receiving said electroacoustic transducer, and an inlet conduit between said transducer and said first control port; and an outlet member disposed between said stack and said air spring, said outlet member having an exit conduit between said output port and said air spring.

Claim 13

The vibration cancellation mount of claim 10 wherein said exit conduit is of sufficient length so that a standing wave is not generated therein when operating at the highest frequency of said acoustical cancellation signal.

Claim 14

A vibration cancellation system for isolating a first structure from a vibrating, second structure, comprising; an air supply; at least one vibration sensor mounted on said vibrating structure; a controller, electrically coupled to said sensor, for generating a vibration cancellation signal; and a vibration cancellation mount positioned between said first structure and said vibrating structure, said mount comprising an electroacoustic transducer electrically coupled to said controller for converting said electrical cancellation signal into an acoustical cancellation signal, a fluidic driver in fluid communication with said air supply and said transducer, for varying the flow rate of a jet of air synchronously with said acoustical cancellation signal, and an air spring receiving said air jet and oscillating synchronously therewith.

Claim 15

A vibration cancellation system for isolating a first structure from a vibrating, second structure, comprising; an air supply; at least one vibration sensor mounted on said vibrating structure; a controller, electrically coupled to said sensor, for generating a vibration cancellation signal; and a vibration cancellation mount positioned between said first structure and said vibrating structure, said mount comprising an electroacoustic transducer electrically coupled to said controller for converting said electrical cancellation signal into an acoustical cancellation signal, a fluidic driver in fluid communication with said air supply and said transducer, for varying the flow rate of a jet of air synchronously with said acoustical cancellation signal, and an air spring receiving said air jet and oscillating synchronously therewith.