A pseudo feature for a suspension and method of manufacture are described. The pseudo feature for a suspension includes a first constraining layer; a second constraining layer; and a damping layer arranged between the first constraining layer and the second constraining layer.

A modular mounting structure includes a mount module unit including a mount housing, a mount core with a bolt hole, and a mount insulator connecting the mount housing and the mount core, a first module unit including a first housing, a first core with a bolt hole, and a first insulator connecting the first housing and the first core and having a first direction characteristic, and a second module unit including a second housing, a second core with a bolt hole, and a second insulator connecting the second housing and the second core and having a second direction characteristic.

A variable stiffness leaf spring mechanism and method of locking parallel leaf springs allow for a wide range of stiffness settings in a low-mass package. By varying the number of parallel leaf springs as well as the thickness and stiffness of each layer the system stiffness and range of stiffness settings can be optimally tuned to each application. Additionally, by locking leaf springs without inducing large normal forces from a clamping mechanism, the frictional wear on the system is greatly diminished. In addition to increasing the life cycles of the system, this will decrease auditory noise emitted during operation. The system and method can be applied to lower extremity prostheses to allow for more biological emulation than passive prostheses in a lower mass package than powered prostheses.

An accumulator for a damper is provided. The accumulator includes a housing defining a longitudinal axis, a fluid connector and a bag. The bag includes a plurality of annular discs disposed adjacent to each other. Each annular disc includes an inner diameter defining a through aperture and an outer diameter. The plurality of annular discs includes a first end disc, a second end disc and one or more intermediate discs. Each intermediate disc is disposed between two adjacent annular discs. The inner diameter of the first end disc is connected to the fluid connector. The inner diameter of each intermediate disc is connected to the inner diameter of one adjacent annular disc. The outer diameter of each intermediate disc is connected to the outer diameter of the other adjacent annular disc. A solid cover disc is connected to the outer diameter of the second end disc.

A modular mounting structure includes a mount module unit including a mount housing, a mount core with a bolt hole, and a mount insulator connecting the mount housing and the mount core, a first module unit including a first housing, a first core with a bolt hole, and a first insulator connecting the first housing and the first core and having a first direction characteristic, and a second module unit including a second housing, a second core with a bolt hole, and a second insulator connecting the second housing and the second core and having a second direction characteristic.

A variable stiffness spring assembly includes first and second members made of a first material and separated by a gap along at least a portion of their lengths, and one or more layers made of a second material disposed in the gap. The variable stiffness spring assembly can be incorporated into or take the form of a limb support assembly, such as a prosthetic foot. The second material disposed between the first and second members is rate-sensitive or speed-dependent, such that the material exhibits different properties when the user of the prosthetic foot is walking at high or fast walking speeds compared to low or slow walking speeds. The prosthetic foot can exhibit high damping and energy absorption, and therefore stability, at slow speeds, and high energy return at faster speeds.

A resilient bearing pad or support includes resilient material and a sensor that is configured to measure one or more of acceleration, velocity, variations in load, etc. of a mass supported by the bearing pad. The sensor may be configured to wirelessly transmit data for storage and/or evaluation. The data may be evaluated utilizing predefined criteria to detect and/or predict failure of the pad and/or a mass supported by the pad.

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 vibration isolator and method of assembly utilize “flex circuits” to provide both vibration/shock isolation and integrated electrically isolated conductive paths to support lightweight devices (<100 grams) such as crystal oscillators, IC chips, MEMs devices and the like. Each flex circuit includes a least one polymer layer and at least one of the flex circuits includes at least one patterned conductive layer. The isolator may be integrally formed from a stack of polymer layers and patterned conductive layers to provide the plurality of flex circuits, platform and connectors. Most typically, flex circuits are Type 4 in which the multiple polymer layers have a loose leaf or bonded configuration. Flex circuits are easy to produce in large quantities at low cost with standardized and repeatable performance characteristics.

A core material for a shock insulation support, comprising, in parts by weight: steel shot of 150-300 parts, zirconia particles of 50-150 parts and rubber particles of 50-100 parts. Further provided are a shock insulation support comprising the core material, and a preparation method for the shock insulation support. The core material for a shock insulation support, and the shock insulation support dissipates earthquake energy by means of a dry friction energy dissipation mechanism, having high damping and excellent shock insulation performance.