The present disclosure relates to flexible energy absorbing systems and body armor, helmets and protective garments incorporating flexible energy absorbing systems. A flexible energy absorbing system may comprise a first plurality of cells having a first re-entrant geometry and a second plurality of cells having a second, different geometry. The first plurality of cells and the second plurality of cells may comprise an elastomeric material.

A low-vibration collar system for vibration mitigation in a device towed in water. The low-vibration collar system includes a clamp attached to a streamer towed underwater by a seismic vessel, the streamer comprising a plurality of sensors to record seismic data; a collar configured to be attached to the clamp; a connecting mechanism located on the collar and configured to attach an ancillary device to the collar; and a vibration mitigation system configured to attenuate an amplitude of a vibration produced by the ancillary device. The vibration interferes with seismic data recorded by seismic sensors located on the streamer.

Spring systems for subsea applications and equipment projects for the oil and gas industry are preferably manufactured from composite materials and include at least one pair of springs consisting of a first spring component and a second spring component, mounted so as to offer a first central contact region and double curvature and rebound areas forming a coupling. The pair of springs are thus, self-centering.

A vibration isolating bushing assembly may comprise a first T-bushing configured to receive a fastener, a second T-bushing configured to couple to the first T-bushing and the fastener, a first isolating washer, and a second isolating washer, wherein the first isolating washer and the second isolating washer are configured to couple between the first T-bushing and the second T-bushing.

A bearing structure for large and heavy machines and systems, such as a wind turbine for example. In particular, the invention relates to such a bearing structure based on elastomer bearing elements, which can be mounted and exchanged individually without having to at least partly disassemble the bearing structure together with the system or machine. A method for simply exchanging elastomer elements in a bearing for heavy and large systems and machines.

A passive motion isolation system for motion-sensitive equipment is disclosed. The passive motion isolation system has a three-axis free motion platform mounted on a base subject to ambient motions. A vibration isolation subsystem is coupled between the motion-sensitive equipment and the three-axis free motion platform.

A futuristic shoe with true energy return based on enhanced heel-lift, optimized shoe springs (40% reduction in maximum foot impact), practical precise automatic electronic gear changers, novel powerful shoe impact chargers, improved pulley electronic actuators, novel low-impact much stronger springs (featuring the novel use materials such as Kevlar, Spectra Shield, and fiberglass), novel remarkably stronger, more flexible, and tougher structures, and multiple designs for enhanced heel-lift and to prevent excessive toe sink. These designs require linkages and two improved hingesone with enhanced natural hinges and a second with tied cogged hinges. There is a rotating-arms enhanced optimal spring, which when combined with the tied cogged hinges, results in optimal foldable arrays for deployment in outer spaceand which gives a smart energy return knee brace. These novel capabilities promise a wide range of additional applications such as robotics, prosthetics, orthotics, springs, aerospace, automobiles, body armor, and earthquake retrofitting.

Externally-damped electromechanical valve assemblies well-suited for deployment within high vibratory operating environments, such as those associated with work vehicle engines, are provided. In embodiments, the valve assembly includes a housing through which a flow passage extends, a valve element positioned in the flow passage, a valve actuator, and control electronics electrically coupled to the valve actuator. The valve assembly may also contain a constrained layer damper including a first mass element and a first viscoelastic layer. The first mass element is mounted in suspension to the housing exterior for movement relative thereto when the first mass element is excited by vibrations transmitted through the housing. Constrained between the first mass element and the housing exterior, the first viscoelastic layer deflects in shear as the first mass element moves relative to the housing to attenuate the vibrations transmitted through the housing by conversion of vibrational energy to heat.

A shock absorber includes a first end fitting connected to a first telescoping member, a second end fitting connected to a second telescoping member, the first and second telescoping members being telescopically mounted relative to each other. An elastomeric spring/damper is disposed between the first telescoping member and the second telescoping member.

A bearing bushing, for example, for a motor vehicle. The bearing bushing is switchable between a first and a second stiffness stage. The bearing bushing has a first elastomer ring, which is arranged rotationally fixedly on an outer circumferential surface of an inner ring, and a second elastomer ring, which is arranged rotationally fixedly on an inner circumferential surface of an outer ring. Radially between the two elastomer rings, an intermediate ring makes contact in a rotationally fixed manner with the two elastomer rings. To change in stiffness of the bearing bushing, the first elastomer ring can be bridged by the intermediate ring and at least one blocking ring which is arranged on the bearing bushing at an end side.