A seismic isolation assembly is defined by a first support plate and a second support plate disposed in parallel relation with a spacing being provided between the support plates. The first support plate is connected to ground and the second support plate is attached to a structure to be isolated. A set of wire rope isolators are disposed between the first and second support plates as well as at least one linear damper that is angularly disposed and mounted between the first and second support plates.

A flow modification device connectable to a generally cylindrical element adapted for immersion in a fluid medium is provided. The device comprises an elongate body having a length and a generally circular cross-section; a plurality of raised body portions disposed about and extending along the length of the elongate body, the raised body portions having a height between 2% and 10% of a diameter of the body; and an aperture extending through the length of the elongate body, the aperture being adapted to receive the generally cylindrical element such that the flow modification device is arranged about the cylindrical element. The plurality of raised body portions are helically arranged or twisted about a longitudinal axis of the elongate body and are adapted to reduce vortex-induced vibration and/or drag on the cylindrical element when the device is connected to the cylindrical element and the connected device and cylindrical element are immersed in the fluid medium and there is relative movement between the connected device and cylindrical element and the fluid medium.

According to some embodiments, a vibration-isolating system comprises a case, one or more environmental buffers, a platform suspended within the case by a plurality of wire rope isolators, a crumple zone beneath the platform and configured with one or more shock-absorbing structures, and a container assembly configured on the platform. The container assembly is operable to protect a payload comprising a flexible panel. The container assembly comprises a back panel positioned behind the flexible panel and offset by a first substantially airtight compartment, a front panel positioned in front of the flexible panel and offset by a second substantially airtight compartment, and a stiffener panel positioned in front of the front panel and offset by a third substantially airtight compartment.

According to some embodiments, a vibration-isolating system comprises a case, one or more environmental buffers, a platform suspended within the case by a plurality of wire rope isolators, a crumple zone beneath the platform and configured with one or more shock-absorbing structures, and a container assembly configured on the platform. The container assembly is operable to protect a payload comprising a flexible panel. The container assembly comprises a back panel positioned behind the flexible panel and offset by a first substantially airtight compartment, a front panel positioned in front of the flexible panel and offset by a second substantially airtight compartment, and a stiffener panel positioned in front of the front panel and offset by a third substantially airtight compartment.

The invention is directed to a support for a work of art comprising a base element for fixing the support to an interior wall of a shipping container and a clamping element for clamping the work of art and wherein the base element and the clamping element are fixed to each other by wire rope isolators.

The invention is directed to a support for a work of art comprising a base element for fixing the support to an interior wall of a shipping container and a clamping element for clamping the work of art and wherein the base element and the clamping element are fixed to each other by wire rope isolators.

The apparatus for non-contact damping vibration of a vibrating optical fiber moving over an optical fiber path includes an air bearing and an air supply. The air bearing includes a body having an aperture defined by an inner surface and a central axis that passes through the center of the aperture and along which lies the optical fiber path. A plurality of nozzles is distributed around the inner surface and directed toward the central axis. An air conduit within the body is in pneumatic communication with the plurality of nozzles. The air supply is pneumatically connected to the air conduit and is configured to supply pressurized air to the air bearing. The pressurized air is directed through the nozzles to the vibrating optical fiber and impinges on the optical fiber to damp the vibration of the vibrating optical fiber.

The apparatus for non-contact damping vibration of a vibrating optical fiber moving over an optical fiber path includes an air bearing and an air supply. The air bearing includes a body having an aperture defined by an inner surface and a central axis that passes through the center of the aperture and along which lies the optical fiber path. A plurality of nozzles is distributed around the inner surface and directed toward the central axis. An air conduit within the body is in pneumatic communication with the plurality of nozzles. The air supply is pneumatically connected to the air conduit and is configured to supply pressurized air to the air bearing. The pressurized air is directed through the nozzles to the vibrating optical fiber and impinges on the optical fiber to damp the vibration of the vibrating optical fiber.

According to certain embodiments, a vibration-isolating system comprises a platform adapted to carry one or more loads and an adjustable load-positioning system. The platform is suspended within a support structure by a plurality of isolators. The isolators are tuned to impede vibrations in a pre-determined frequency range for a payload having a pre-determined mass. The adjustable load-positioning system is adapted to facilitate positioning the one or more loads such that the payload having the pre-determined mass is centered at the center of gravity of the platform.

An energy damping and displacement control device is disclosed. The energy damping and displacement control device can include a contact protrusion and an energy damping pad constructed of a resilient material. The energy damping pad can have a first face oriented along a first plane. The energy damping pad can also have a second face oriented along a second plane transverse to the first plane, and toward the contact protrusion. In a static condition, the first and second faces of the energy damping pad can be separated from the contact protrusion. In a dynamic condition, displacement motion of the contact protrusion relative to the energy damping pad can be limited by contact with at least one of the first or second faces of the energy damping pad, which provides energy damping and motion displacement control of the contact protrusion in multiple axes.