One-Way Restrictor Valve for Stable Pneumatic Vibration Isolation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing passive vibration isolation systems are ineffective for larger payloads with high centers of gravity, leading to instability and prolonged settling times due to limitations in effective stiffness and damping, particularly in pneumatic systems.

Innovation Solution

Incorporation of a one-way restrictor valve in the pneumatic vibration damping system to control gas flow, enhancing the effective stiffness and damping of air springs and dampers, thereby reducing pressure oscillations and improving settling time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If passive pneumatic vibration isolation systems are used for larger payloads with high centers of gravity, then the system can support the payload, but the payload becomes unstable and settling time increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepayload stabilityVSAvoidsettling time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the flow resistance parameter of the pneumatic system by introducing a flow restrictor valve. This valve increases the effective stiffness and damping of the air spring and air damper by controlling the rate of air flow between chambers, thereby reducing settling time and improving payload stability without requiring active control systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The flow restrictor valve acts as an intermediary component between the air spring and air damper chambers. It mediates the air flow to optimize the interaction between these components, creating a coupled system that provides both support and damping functions while maintaining stability for high center of gravity payloads

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Volume of moving object

If the size of the isolated payload increases, then the payload can accommodate larger analytical instruments, but the effectiveness of vibration isolation decreases due to high center of gravity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepayload sizeVSAvoidvibration isolation effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the pneumatic system parameters by adding flow restriction, which increases the effective damping coefficient and stiffness. This allows larger payloads with high centers of gravity to maintain stability and vibration isolation effectiveness that would otherwise be lost due to their size and weight distribution

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If air flow is unrestricted in pneumatic vibration dampers, then the system is simpler, but pressure oscillations increase and damping effectiveness decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepneumatic system complexityVSAvoiddamping effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A simple flow restrictor valve is introduced as an intermediary component in the pneumatic system. This minimal addition controls air flow between chambers to reduce pressure oscillations and enhance damping effectiveness without significantly increasing system complexity or requiring active control mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution significantly reduces settling time and enhances stability of larger payloads by increasing the effective stiffness and damping of the pneumatic vibration isolation system, ensuring efficient vibration isolation.

Implementation Method 1

a one-way restrictor valve fluidically coupled between the source of pressurized gas and the plurality of vibration damping modules

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFlow restriction:

Implementation Method 2

Each pneumatic vibration damping module of the plurality of pneumatic vibration damping modules is fluidically coupled to the source of pressurized gas

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPneumatic pressure: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 3

a plurality of pneumatic vibration damping modules coupled to the payload... thereby isolating the payload from vibrations

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration isolation: Damping

Implementation Method 4

a first chamber configured to be an air spring and a second chamber adjacent to the first chamber and configured to be an air damper

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGas compression: Compression

Data Source

PatentUS20250243922A1Pneumatic vibration isolation system using a single-directional flow restriction valve

Publication Date: 2025.07.31 10X GENOMICS INC

AI summary

Provided herein are assemblies, systems, and methods for increasing the effective stiffness and/or damping of a pneumatic vibration isolation system. In various embodiments, a system includes a payload to be isolated from vibrations, a source of pressurized gas, a plurality of pneumatic vibration damping modules coupled to the payload, and a one-way restrictor valve fluidically coupled between the source of pressurized gas and the plurality of vibration damping modules. Each pneumatic vibration damping module of the plurality of pneumatic vibration damping modules is fluidically coupled to the source of pressurized gas.