Robust Isolation for Vibration Abating (RIVA)

Robust Isolation for Vibration Abating (RIVA) is suitable for integration in an optical transceiver to reject high frequency base disturbances by at least 50 dB. RIVA has integrated launch protection for its shock amp; vibration isolation component. RIVA is directly applicable to long-range optical telecommunication systems, and it is beneficial for any sensitive instrument requiring high stability for improved performance. RIVA will reduce angular errors from vibrations reaching low mass laser beam control assemblies. While this project is focused on space version of RIVA, eventually, our solution will have two additional variants designed for a particular operating condition and platform, i.e., Ground and Air. It will meet qualifications of extreme shock and vibration attenuation during non-operating period and mitigates high frequency micro vibrations during laser operations while minimizing its weight to meet mission requirements. Our innovative solution offers low size, weight, and power (SWaP) with improved efficiency, reliability, and robustness as related to its function, high frequency isolation. RIVA will utilize our proprietary elastomeric formulas which have been space-qualified and deployed upon NASA spacecraft. The soft prototype showed a reduction of launch load acceleration to the optical device from a peak value of roughly 1500 Gs to below 7 Gs (99.5% reduction). In addition, the maximum stress induced in the soft elastomer (0.2 MPa) was well below the rupture point (ultimate tensile strength) for rubber (3-5 MPa). In other words, the soft elastomer is protected from launch loads due to the hard elastomer engaging during the launch event. Four RIVAs, supporting an optical platform, showed a reduction in angular vibration from 150 micro;radians to below 1.5 micro;radians (99% reduction or 40 dB reduction based on 20Log) over 100 Hz.nbsp;