A lightweight passive attenuator (1) for spacecraft includes two omega cross-section rings (2), placed symmetrically and defining a gap therebetween, and being the main load path of the light passive attenuator (1). A plurality of damper elements (3) are placed in the gap defined between the two omega cross-section rings (2), and not in the main load path of the light passive attenuator (1), such that the omega cross-section rings (2) and the damper elements (3) are assembled at their ends by attachment elements. The omega cross-section rings (2) have a protruding central part (5) with a plurality of holes (6) for connection with adjacent structures (7, 8) of the spacecraft.

A damper for an object is placed in a medium subjected to vibrations. The damper has an idle state in the absence of vibrations, a first operating state in case of vibrations of a first type, and a second operating state in case of vibrations of a second type. The level of each vibration of the first type is less than the level of each vibration of the second type. The damper includes an outer support structure, an inner support structure, and at least one pair of membranes formed of a first membrane and a second membrane. Each membrane is formed of a viscoelastic material including fibers aligned substantially in a same direction.

A method for determining, by reanalysis, a vibratory environment of a coupled vehicle/passenger system. A vehicle is subjected to external forces Fext and is coupled to a new passenger including multiple payloads (e.g., x=I, . . . N payload(s)). At the level of vehicle/passenger interfaces Ix, the method comprising a step DET1) for determining, based on reference interfacial acceleration .sub.x_ref of a reference passenger, the interfacial acceleration .sub.x relative to the new passenger.

An exemplary method protects a delicate device from potential damage from shock or vibration. A material in a liquid state is placed in contact with the delicate device. The liquid material is cooled causing it to transition to a solid state which stabilizes the delicate device in contact with the solid material against shock and vibration. The solid state material is heated causing it to sublimate into a gas thus releasing the delicate device for operation.

A system architecture for an active chassis system in a motor vehicle has a vehicle electrical system with a first subsystem and a second subsystem. The first subsystem has a first voltage level that is lower than a second voltage level of the second subsystem (14). At least one electric assembly unit for an active chassis element and at least one control device are provided. The electric assembly unit and the control device are supplied with the second voltage level. A vehicle having a system architecture of this kind is also described.

A system for vibration control of a cryocooler that cools an imager. The system includes a vibration sensor that is physically affixed to the cryocooler. The vibration sensor senses a physical vibration of the cryocooler and to generates a vibration signal therefrom. The system also includes cryocooler drive electronics operatively coupled to the vibration sensor and the cryocooler. The cryocooler drive electronics output a drive waveform that drives the cryocooler so as to reduce the vibration impact of the cryocooler. The harmonic content of the cryocooler drive waveform is controlled by the cryocooler drive electronics based on the vibration signal.

A group for allowing free orientation of a sphere with respect to outside force fields includes a support structure, a sphere, two locking elements acting from opposite sides on the sphere and useful to keep the sphere in a right position during a nonoperational phase of the group, at least four drop supports located around the sphere and able to form drops and to keep them at a desired temperature, and an isolation structure useful to isolate the above devices from the surroundings and to prevent dust deposition on the sphere surface and the four realized drops, and cooling device able to keep the sphere at a temperature lower than that of the drops.

A system for generating magnetic fields in one or more axis, the system comprising a primary electromagnet comprising a first coil having a first axis wherein the first coil is formed of a superconductor, a cooling element configured to cool the first coil below the critical temperature of the superconductor, a power source configured to energise the primary and secondary and electromagnets, wherein the primary electromagnet comprises a frame member, and wherein the frame member is suspended from at least one bracket by a thermally insulating structural member and/or a thermally insulating spring.

A device including a first member for supporting a user; and a second member 14, attached to the first member, including a counterbalance portion. The first member and the second member are each moveable, and operable to slide with respect to each other in opposite directions, between a first position and a second position. The device can be operable such that between the first and second positions, the combined center of mass of the device 10 and its user remains substantially fixed. This serves to reduce the extent of forces and vibrations generated by use of the device on the object to which the device is located.

Embodiments of three parameter isolators including rolling seal damper assemblies are provided. In one embodiment, the three parameter isolator includes first and second isolator end portions, which are opposed along a working axis. A main spring and a tuning spring are mechanically coupled in parallel between the first and second isolator end portions. A rolling seal damper assembly is further mechanically coupled between the first and second isolator end portions in parallel with the main spring and in series with the tuning spring. The rolling seal damper assembly includes a first hydraulic chamber, a second hydraulic chamber fluidly coupled to the first hydraulic chamber, and first and second rolling diaphragm seals partially bounding the first and second hydraulic chambers, respectively. In certain implementations, the rolling seal damper assembly also contains a thermal compensator piston to which the first rolling diaphragm seal is attached.