Air lifted motion isolation system and method therefor
US5740754A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 28, 1997 |
| Grant date | Apr 21, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 28, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02T70/10
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An air lifted motion isolation system (100) includes a support structure or pod (110) for supporting equipment and/or personnel to be isolated from the motion of a waterborne craft (102). The support structure is coupled to the waterborne craft structure by a pivotal coupling assembly (120), permitting the support structure to be displaced both vertically and laterally. The motion of the support structure is stabilized by a lift producing body (130) disposed in the air above the waterborne craft and coupled to the support structure by a tether (112) for applying a substantially vertically directed force thereto. The pivotal coupling assembly (120) includes a plurality of pivotal coupling elements (122, 154) for buttressing the support structure above the structure of the waterborne craft. Each of the pivotal coupling elements (122, 154) may provide dampening to further stabilize and isolate the motion of the support structure from that of the waterborne craft. The lift producing body (130) may be formed by a parasail-type structure or a more rigid winged structure and incorporate a control system (160, 170) for altering the lift characteristic thereof.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.