A cardan joint includes a cross-elevation assembly comprising a cross-elevation housing, a roll-elevation assembly comprising a roll-elevation housing, a payload interface assembly comprising a payload interface housing, and a suspension interface yoke comprising a suspension interface that couples the suspension interface yoke to one or more suspension bars. The roll-elevation assembly is rotatably connected to the cross-elevation assembly along a first rotation axis via a radial roller bearing and a thrust roller bearing. The payload interface assembly is rotatably connected to the roll-elevation assembly along a second rotation axis via a radial roller bearing and a thrust roller bearing. The suspension interface yoke is rotatably connected to the cross-elevation assembly along a third rotation axis via one or more radial roller bearings and one or more thrust roller bearings. The payload interface housing comprises a payload interface operable to couple the payload interface housing to an inertially stabilized payload.

A cardan joint includes a cross-elevation assembly comprising a cross-elevation housing, a roll-elevation assembly comprising a roll-elevation housing, a payload interface assembly comprising a payload interface housing, and a suspension interface yoke comprising a suspension interface that couples the suspension interface yoke to one or more suspension bars. The roll-elevation assembly is rotatably connected to the cross-elevation assembly along a first rotation axis via a radial roller bearing and a thrust roller bearing. The payload interface assembly is rotatably connected to the roll-elevation assembly along a second rotation axis via a radial roller bearing and a thrust roller bearing. The suspension interface yoke is rotatably connected to the cross-elevation assembly along a third rotation axis via one or more radial roller bearings and one or more thrust roller bearings. The payload interface housing comprises a payload interface operable to couple the payload interface housing to an inertially stabilized payload.

A crossbar system for facilitating isolation of a sensor assembly from external vibrations of a support structure. The crossbar system comprises first and second crossbar assemblies and a payload mount, Each of the first and second crossbar assemblies comprises a crossbar segment and a slip plate damper. Each crossbar segment comprises a payload mount interface at a first end of the crossbar assembly and a first support structure interface at a second end of the crossbar assembly. Each slip plate damper is disposed about the crossbar segment and is slidably coupled to the crossbar segment to constrain movement in two lateral degrees of freedom and to facilitate movement in a longitudinal degree of freedom, Each slip plate damper comprises a second support structure interface at the second end of the crossbar assembly. The payload mount is coupled to the payload mount interfaces of the first and second crossbar assemblies.

A contactless sensor mounting system for a vehicle is provided. The system includes a contactless sensor that is mounted in an interior component of the vehicle and having a first surface and a second surface opposing each other. A bracket is disposed around the contactless sensor and is fixed to the interior component. A first buffer member is interposed between the first surface of the contactless sensor and the interior component. A second buffer member is mounted on the second surface of the contactless sensor. Additionally, a leaf spring presses the second buffer member and the contactless sensor toward the interior component.

A contactless sensor mounting system for a vehicle is provided. The system includes a contactless sensor that is mounted in an interior component of the vehicle and having a first surface and a second surface opposing each other. A bracket is disposed around the contactless sensor and is fixed to the interior component. A first buffer member is interposed between the first surface of the contactless sensor and the interior component. A second buffer member is mounted on the second surface of the contactless sensor. Additionally, a leaf spring presses the second buffer member and the contactless sensor toward the interior component.

An orientation-determining device to determine orientation of a vehicle includes a housing, a circuit board, and an orientation-identifying electronic device that includes an integrated accelerometer, an integrated gyroscope, and an integrated magnetometer. The orientation-identifying electronic device is coupled to the circuit board. The orientation-determining device includes a gyroscope that is coupled to the circuit board, an accelerometer that is coupled to the circuit board, and a dampening structure connected between the housing and the circuit board to isolate the circuit board, the orientation-identifying electronic device, the gyroscope, and the accelerometer from vibrations of the housing.

An orientation-determining device to determine orientation of a vehicle includes a housing, a circuit board, and an orientation-identifying electronic device that includes an integrated accelerometer, an integrated gyroscope, and an integrated magnetometer. The orientation-identifying electronic device is coupled to the circuit board. The orientation-determining device includes a gyroscope that is coupled to the circuit board, an accelerometer that is coupled to the circuit board, and a dampening structure connected between the housing and the circuit board to isolate the circuit board, the orientation-identifying electronic device, the gyroscope, and the accelerometer from vibrations of the housing.

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.

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.

A backing component configured to receive and attenuate transmitted acoustic signals from a transducer element in an ultrasound probe is disclosed. The backing component has a unitary structure of a first material and a second material, and a variation in packing density of the first material across at least a portion of a thickness of the backing component. Further, a method of making a backing component for a transducer element in an ultrasound probe is disclosed. The method includes performing an additive manufacturing technique using a first material and a second material to form the backing component that has a unitary structure of the first material and the second material. Performing the additive manufacturing technique involves varying a packing density of the first material across at least a portion of thickness of the backing component.