A device for reducing impact forces upon a surface includes a base comprising a first contact portion and a transition portion, a contact member disposed between the base and the surface; and a biasing portion disposed between the first contact portion of the base and the surface. At least a first portion of an impact force upon the surface is transferred from the contact member to the base, and a second portion of the impact force is subsequently returned to the surface, the second portion being less than the first portion.

A vibration damper includes a housing defining a cavity and configured to retain a viscoelastic ring, where the housing includes a first portion having a first surface and a second surface, where the second surface is configured to engage with a first loaded surface of the viscoelastic ring, a second portion having an additional first surface and an additional second surface, where the additional second surface is configured to engage with a second loaded surface of the viscoelastic ring. The housing further includes a plurality of bracing surfaces extending from a third surface of the first portion, where each bracing surface is configured to engage with a first unloaded surface of the viscoelastic ring during deformation of the viscoelastic ring within the cavity.

A kinematic seismic isolation device for isolating a superstructure from the movement experienced by a substructure or foundation by providing lateral stability and resistance to stress having a rigid-structure helmet piece with the convex part facing upward and a radius of curvature R; and an intermediate rigid-structure body coupled to the underside of the helmet piece and extends to a bottom end of the device connected by a pivoting connection to the substructure or foundation, wherein the radius of curvature R is greater than or equal to the height H of the device; and wherein a tread plate, which is secured to the bottom surface of the superstructure, rests on the helmet piece.

A kinematic seismic isolation device for isolating a superstructure from the movement experienced by a substructure or foundation by providing lateral stability and resistance to stress having a rigid-structure helmet piece with the convex part facing upward and a radius of curvature R; and an intermediate rigid-structure body coupled to the underside of the helmet piece and extends to a bottom end of the device connected by a pivoting connection to the substructure or foundation, wherein the radius of curvature R is greater than or equal to the height H of the device; and wherein a tread plate, which is secured to the bottom surface of the superstructure, rests on the helmet piece.

A vibration absorbing apparatus is disclosed for functioning as a practical mechanical metamaterial for anisotropic vibration control. In at least one embodiment, the apparatus provides a plurality of rail units positioned in a side-by-side arrangement so as to form at least one rail unit layer. Each rail unit provides a first plate and an opposing second plate slidably engaged with the first plate. The first plate provides at least one substantially linear slide rail extending therefrom. The second plate provides a corresponding at least one substantially linear slot sized for slidably receiving the corresponding at least one slide rail. At least one resilient connector extends between the first and second plates so as to maintain slidable engagement between the first and second plates. Additionally, the at least one slot of each rail unit of the at least one rail unit layer is oriented in substantially the same direction.

Various implementations include an actuator. The actuator includes a housing and a piston. The housing has a central axis and an inner surface. The housing defines at least one protrusion that extends radially inwardly from the inner surface of the housing. The piston is slidingly disposed within the housing and engages the inner surface of the housing as the piston travels a stroke length within the housing along the central axis. The piston travels from a proximal end to a distal end of the stroke length upon actuation of the actuator. The protrusion is disposed adjacent a distal end of the stroke length and is deformed in a radially outward direction when the piston engages the protrusion.

A vibration absorbing apparatus is disclosed for functioning as a practical mechanical metamaterial for anisotropic vibration control. In at least one embodiment, the apparatus provides a plurality of rail units positioned in a side-by-side arrangement so as to form at least one rail unit layer. Each rail unit provides a first plate and an opposing second plate slidably engaged with the first plate. The first plate provides at least one substantially linear slide rail extending therefrom. The second plate provides a corresponding at least one substantially linear slot sized for slidably receiving the corresponding at least one slide rail. At least one resilient connector extends between the first and second plates so as to maintain slidable engagement between the first and second plates. Additionally, the at least one slot of each rail unit of the at least one rail unit layer is oriented in substantially the same direction.

A locking isolator includes one or more joints. The one or more joints are configured to transition between a clearance fit state and an interference fit state in response to a change in temperature. The locking isolator includes a dampener. The dampener is configured to attenuate transmission of vibration through the one or more joints when the one or more joints are in the clearance fit state.

A vibration isolation device for optimally decoupling shear forces that are orthogonal to the principal direction of isolation from microvibrations. A pivoting load support element is free to pivot about a pivot point in response to shear forces, with optimal isolation from coupling to the principal direction of vibration isolation. A friction free bearing for small motion is provided to respond to the forces perpendicular to the principal direction of vibration isolation. An internal load support plate associated with the pivoting element is supported by equalizing springs and is damped by an active actuator driven according to a sensor on the internal load support plate. Adjustment points, such as screws, adjust the pivoting element with respect to the fixed pivot point.

The present invention relates to damping devices of an electric motor of an airflow generating apparatus and the apparatus having these devices, the devices having a first part, a second part, and a damping element, the damping element being arranged such that it determines an attachment between the first part and the second part, and having at least one central wall having two longitudinal ends. At least one of the two longitudinal ends of the at least one central wall is defined to form an angle with respect to the first part such that an imaginary transverse surface containing the at least one of the two longitudinal ends can be defined parallel to an imaginary joining line (A) between a center of masses of the at least one central wall and a center of gravity of the electric motor.