Vibration isolation for centrifuge testbeds
| DWPI Title: Method for isolating vibrations for centrifuge testing device used for ground-based testing of flight systems by generating high gravitational forces to simulate flight inertial loads, involves rotating centrifuge arm around axis, and vibrating platform with actuators as centrifuge rotates |
| Abstract: A method for isolating vibrations for centrifuge testing devices is provided. The method comprises coupling a test payload platform to a number of piezoelectric actuators and coupling the piezoelectric actuators to a reaction mass coupled to a centrifuge arm. A layer of vibration-absorbing material is sandwiched between the reaction mass and the centrifuge arm. The centrifuge arm is rotated around an axis, and the test payload platform is vibrated with the piezoelectric actuators as the centrifuge rotates, wherein the layer of vibration-absorbing material prevents vibrations from traveling down the centrifuge arm. |
| Use: Method for isolating vibrations for a centrifuge testing device (claimed) used for ground-based testing of flight systems by generating high gravitational forces to simulate flight inertial loads. |
| Advantage: The method enables utilizing a combination of inertial and vibrational loads to provide synergistic effects regarding the ability to determine margin assessment of system performance. The method allows the centrifuge arm to be rotated around an axis. The test payload platform is vibrated with the piezoelectric actuators as the centrifuge arm rotates, so that the layer of vibration-absorbing material prevents vibrations from traveling down the centrifuge arm. |
| Novelty: The method involves coupling a test payload platform (402) to a number of piezoelectric actuators (404), and coupling the piezoelectric actuators to reaction mass coupled to a centrifuge arm. A layer of vibration-absorbing material is sandwiched between the reaction mass and the centrifuge arm. The centrifuge arm is rotated around an axis, and the test payload platform is vibrated with the piezoelectric actuators as the centrifuge arm rotates, where the layer of vibration-absorbing material prevents vibrations from traveling down the centrifuge arm. The vibration-absorbing material comprises rubber material. |
| Filed: 3/15/2021 |
| Application Number: US17202158A |
| Tech ID: SD 15146.0 |
| This invention was made with Government support under Contract No. DE-NA0003525 awarded by the United States Department of Energy/National Nuclear Security Administration. The Government has certain rights in the invention. |
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