Unique Hybrid Composite Structures as Shock/Vibration Isolators

An innovative shock and vibration isolator is proposed. Its unique hybrid material structure will mitigate unfavorable weight, cost and space consequences imposed by today's isolators. It will address shock and vibration mitigation within the same isolation system. Commonality of design will allow scale-up to isolate large and heavy machinery, and scale-down to isolate sensitive electronics. The proposed isolator consists of a unique material combination, resulting in a highly resilient global structure. In a previous program, KaZaK demonstrated an automated manufacturing technology that can be readily adapted to manufacture components of any size, and at low cost. Application of the proposed hybrid technology in vibration and especially in shock isolation, where space is limited, can lead to a number of benefits including excellent recovering capability, good energy dissipation, frequency independent behavior, strain hardening at large displacements, and stable hysteretic behavior. KaZaK will draw upon our considerable experience with the proposed device for other load scenarios, and move rapidly to Phase I design, fabrication and testing of full scale devices. Results from Phase I tests will provide the Navy with a quick look at viability of this major innovation to shock and vibration technology.