An active vibration damping
system having a supporting spring for addressing a
static force from a
payload, and an independent actively isolated
damper positioned in parallel between a
payload and a source of vibration for damping dynamic force from the
payload to an actively isolated point. The actively isolated
damper includes a small intermediate
mass, distinct and decoupled from the payload
mass, and a passive
isolator element for
dynamic coupling of the isolated platform to the small intermediate
mass. The small intermediate mass provides a point to which dynamic forces from the payload may be dampened. The active
damper also includes at least one
actuator coupled at one surface to the small intermediate mass and coupled at a second surface to the vibrating base platform. A motion sensor may also be provided on the small intermediate mass so as to generate a feedback
signal as a function of the movement of the small intermediate mass. The motion sensor together with a compensation /
amplifier module and the
actuator act as part of a feedback compensation loop for minimizing vibration.