Patent Description:
One particular example is a shipboard, heavy enclosure with sensitive electrical and computer equipment, which may be used for weapon systems, navigation systems, etc. The enclosure may be mounted on a ship deck and subject to high shock load, wind and wave loads, environmental conditions, and ship motion in all directions. Motion isolators, such as typical wire rope coiled motion isolators, are typically used to isolate the enclosure from the ship's combined loading effects.

<CIT> discloses a support device comprising a first part attached to a power train, a second part attached to a vehicle and to the first part by means of a vibration damping pad, and at least one travel limiter. The noise likely to be generated in the event of excessive travel is reduced by means of a member of resilient material arranged in such a way as to exert a reaction force against the travel limiter when a moving together of the first and second parts creates a compression force against the travel limiter.

<CIT> discloses a wire rope vibration isolator that includes a coil of wire rope having a predetermined number of individual consecutive coils, a first crimp bar, and a second crimp bar. Each of the crimp bars is essentially rectangular in shape and has a pair of opposing side surfaces. A series of lateral holes extending from one side surface to the other side surface of each of the bars is provided so that the predetermined number of individual consecutive coils may be threaded through the series of lateral holes of each of the bars. A crimping force is applied to each of the two crimp bars at a point where each of the individual coils passes through a respective bar. The coils are thereby secured in a fixed position relative to one another while remaining elastically deformable. A spring-like quality is this imparted to the coil of wire rope so that the first crimp bar and the second crump bar may move relative to each other to dissipate vibrational energy.

In a first aspect, there is provided an energy damping and displacement control device, comprising: a contract protrusion having a spherical surface configuration, and an energy damping pad constructed of a resilient material, the energy damping pad having a first face oriented along a first pane, and a second face oriented along a second plane transverse to the first plane, and toward the contact protrusion, wherein, in a static condition, the first and second faces of the energy damping pad are separated from the contact protrusion, and, in a dynamic condition, displacement motion of the contact protrusion relative to the energy damping pad is limited by a spherical contact interface between the contact protrusion and at least one of the first or second faces of the energy damping pad at any impact location, at any angle of impact, and at any orientation of the contact protrusion at a point of contact with the energy damping pad, which provides energy damping and motion displacement control of the contact protrusion in multiple axes.

In another aspect, there is provided an energy damping and displacement control system, comprising: a base; a supported structure; a motion isolator supporting the supported structure about the base; and an energy damping and displacement control device comprising a contact protrusion associated with one of the base or the supported structure, the contact protrusion having a spherical surface configuration, and an energy damping pad associated with the other of base or the supported structure, the damping pad being constructed of a resilient material and having a first face oriented along a first plane, and a second face oriented along a second plane transverse to the first plane, and toward the contact protrusion, wherein, in a static condition, the first and second faces of the energy damping pad are separated from the contact protrusion, and, in a dynamic condition, displacement motion of the contact protrusion relative to the energy damping pad is limited by a spherical contact interface between the contact protrusion and at least one of the first or second faces of the energy damping pad at any impact location, at any angle of impact, and at any orientation of the contact protrusion at a point of contact with the energy damping pad, which provides energy damping and motion displacement control of the contact protrusion in multiple axes.

In another aspect, there is provided a method for facilitating energy damping and displacement control, comprising: obtaining an energy damping and displacement control device comprising: a contact protrusion having a spherical surface configuration, and an energy damping pad constructed of a resilient material, the energy damping pad having a first face oriented along a first plane, and a second face oriented along a second plane transverse to the first plane, facilitating coupling of the contact protrusion to a t least one of a base or a supported structure; and facilitating coupling of the energy damping pad to at least one of the base or the supported structure, wherein the first face and the second face are oriented toward the contact protrusion, wherein, in a static condition, the first and second faces of the energy damping pad are separated from the contact protrusion, and, in a dynamic condition, displacement motion of the contact protrusion relative to the energy damping pad is limited by a spherical contact interface between the contact protrusion and at least one of the first or second faces of the energy damping pad at any impact location, at any angle of impact, and at any orientation of the contact protrusion at a point of contact with the energy damping pad, which provides energy damping and motion displacement control of the contact protrusion in multiple axes.

An initial overview of the inventive concepts are provided below and then specific examples are described in further detail later. This initial summary is intended to aid readers in understanding the examples more quickly, but is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the examples, nor is it intended to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.

A wide variety of energy absorption devices or motion isolators exist for use in applications where control or damping of shock and vibration are required. Often, however, motion isolators are not designed to control displacement or provide for displacement adjustment. In many cases, loading conditions overcome the motion isolators, which can cause damage to the motion isolators and/or to the equipment being supported. For example, "softer" isolator wire ropes are often used to minimize high g-force shock impact in a certain direction to protect sensitive electrical and computer equipment. Such an isolator may meet a shock absorption requirement in a given direction, but may not be rigid enough to prevent bottoming out under a rotational or combined loads, which may permanently distort the isolator coil and degrade its ability to function properly. In addition, bottoming out the suspension transfers large loads to the suspended item, which can cause damage to the item. Although various snubbers and bumpers exist to minimize this risk, these devices are typically only effective to dissipate energy and limit motion in one direction or degree of freedom. Due to the complex nature of the combined loading effects many supported components are subjected to, this limited ability to constrain motion and dissipate energy provided by typical snubber and bumper devices leaves supported components and their motion isolators vulnerable in many applications.

Accordingly, an energy damping and displacement control device is disclosed that provides energy damping and motion displacement control in multiple degrees of freedom. In one aspect, motion can be restricted to within a safe range for a motion isolator while damping energy to maintain functional integrity of the motion isolator and protect a supported structure from damage. The energy damping and displacement control device includes a contact protrusion and an energy damping pad constructed of a resilient material. The energy damping pad has a first face oriented along a first plane. The energy damping pad also has a second face oriented along a second plane transverse to the first plane, and toward the contact protrusion. In a static condition, the first and second faces of the energy damping pad are separated from the contact protrusion. In a dynamic condition, displacement motion of the contact protrusion relative to the energy damping pad is limited by contact with at least one of the first or second faces of the energy damping pad, which provides energy damping and motion displacement control of the contact protrusion in multiple axes.

An energy damping and displacement control system is also disclosed. The energy damping and displacement control system includes a base, a supported structure, a motion isolator supporting the supported structure about the base, and an energy damping and displacement control device. The energy damping and displacement control device includes a contact protrusion associated with one of the base or the supported structure. The energy damping and displacement control device also includes an energy damping pad associated with the other of base or the supported structure. The damping pad is constructed of a resilient material. The damping pad has a first face oriented along a first plane. The damping pad also has a second face oriented along a second plane transverse to the first plane, and toward the contact protrusion. In a static condition, the first and second faces of the energy damping pad are separated from the contact protrusion. In a dynamic condition, displacement motion of the contact protrusion relative to the energy damping pad is limited by contact with at least one of the first or second faces of the energy damping pad, which provides energy damping and motion displacement control of the contact protrusion in multiple axes.

To further describe the present technology, examples are now provided with reference to the figures. With reference to <FIG>, one embodiment of an energy damping and displacement control system <NUM> is illustrated, which includes one or more energy damping and displacement control devices 101a-c. The system <NUM> can also comprise a base <NUM>, a supported structure or component (e.g., an enclosure) <NUM>, and one or more motion isolators 104a-c supporting the supported structure <NUM> about the base <NUM>.

The base <NUM> and the supported structure <NUM> can be of any suitable type or configuration. For example, the base <NUM> can be a ship (e.g., a deck of a ship), a skid, a train, a truck, a trailer, an aircraft, or any other movable structure or structure that may be subjected to displacement and/or force/moment loading inputs. The supported structure <NUM> can be an electronics enclosure (e.g., shipboard electronics and/or navigational equipment), a computer, a shipping case, a container (e.g., a shipping container), a pump, a generator, a compressor, a chiller assembly, chemical processing equipment, avionics, seat or any other item that may be supported by the base <NUM>. Due to loading input from the base <NUM> and/or loading input acting directly on the supported structure <NUM>, the supported structure <NUM> can be caused to move in six-degrees of freedom (e.g., surge, sway, heave, roll, pitch, and yaw), as illustrated in <FIG>.

The motion isolators 104a-c can be of any suitable type or configuration. For example, one or more of the motion isolators 104a-c can include a spring (e.g., an elastic mechanical device such as a coil spring, torsional spring, a beam (e.g., cantilever or leaf) spring, and/or a gas spring such as a pneumatic or hydraulic spring or cylinder), a damping device (e.g., a shock absorber), and/or any other suitable suspension component. In one example, one or more of the motion isolators 104a-c can be or include a wire rope motion isolator, which can have any suitable configuration. The wire rope motion isolator can include a wire coil in a generally cylindrical configuration oriented horizontally. Individual coils can be secured or clamped in a fixed position relative to one another by coil supports (e.g., retainer blocks) on opposite sides of the coils. The coil supports can be secured to the coils by a series of fasteners along the coil supports. The coil supports allow the individual coils to be elastically deformable under relative movement between the coil supports to provide a spring-like quality for supporting the supported structure <NUM> about the base <NUM>, as well as providing damping and dissipation of vibrational energy. Wire rope motion isolators can be configured to provide desired performance characteristics for a given application. For example, the size (e.g., thickness) of the wire can be varied depending on the load and required damping characteristics of a particular application. The number of coils can also be varied depending on the load and required damping characteristics for a particular application. In addition, the configuration of the coils (e.g., the angle of inclination of the coils, winding direction, etc.) can be selected to provide desired performance characteristics. One suitable wire rope isolator design is described in <CIT>.

An energy damping and displacement control device <NUM> is shown in <FIG>, which is representative of the energy damping and displacement control devices 101a-c of <FIG>. In the example illustrated in <FIG>, the energy damping and displacement control device <NUM> includes a motion isolator <NUM>, although in other examples the motion isolator <NUM> is a separate and distinct component. In particular, the illustrated example shows a wire rope motion isolator.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the energy damping and displacement control device <NUM> includes a contact protrusion <NUM> and an energy damping pad <NUM>. The contact protrusion <NUM> and the energy damping pad <NUM> are shown isolated from other structures of the energy damping and displacement control device <NUM> in <FIG>. The contact protrusion <NUM> can be operable to be associated with a base or a supported structure (e.g., the base <NUM> or the supported structure <NUM> in <FIG>). The energy damping pad <NUM> can be operable to be associated with a base or a supported structure (e.g., the base <NUM> or the supported structure <NUM> in <FIG>). Thus, for example, the contact protrusion <NUM> can be associated with the base <NUM> and the energy damping pad <NUM> can be associated with the supported structure <NUM>. On the other hand, in another example, the contact protrusion <NUM> can be associated with the supported structure <NUM> and the energy damping pad <NUM> can be associated with the base <NUM>.

In some cases, dynamic loading on the supported structure <NUM> may be such that it would cause the motion isolator <NUM>, in the absence of the energy damping and displacement control device <NUM>, to exceed its designed range of motion (e.g., stretching, twisting, and/ or compressing beyond its elastic limits), which could damage the motion isolator <NUM> and/or cause an impact that could damage the supported structure <NUM>. To prevent such negative consequences, the contact protrusion <NUM> can contact the energy damping pad <NUM> to limit motion and absorb energy, thereby protecting the motion isolator <NUM> as well as the supported structure <NUM> from damage.

In one aspect, the energy damping pad <NUM> has a first face 121a and a second face 121b. In a static condition, the first and second faces 121a, 121b of the energy damping pad <NUM> can be separated from the contact protrusion <NUM>. In a dynamic condition (e.g., under dynamic loading), displacement motion of the contact protrusion <NUM> relative to the energy damping pad <NUM> can be limited by contact with at least one of the first or second faces 121a, 121b of the energy damping pad <NUM>, which provides motion displacement control of the contact protrusion <NUM> in multiple axes. As described in more detail below, contact of the contact protrusion <NUM> and the energy damping pad <NUM> can also provide energy damping in multiple axes.

The energy damping pad <NUM> can be constructed of any suitable resilient material, such as an elastomeric material. Any suitable elastomeric material can be utilized, such as natural elastomeric materials (e.g., natural rubber) and/or synthetic elastomeric materials (e.g., butyl rubber). In one aspect, a thickness 123a, 123b (<FIG>) and/or modulus of the energy damping pad <NUM> can be configured, such that the energy damping pad <NUM> is operable to absorb excess energy resulting from combined loading scenarios and decelerate motion while controlling overall system displacements. In one aspect, the thicknesses 123a, 123b of the energy damping pad <NUM> associated with the respective faces 121a, 121b may be the same or different, which may depend on the impact scenarios that each face 121a, 121b is designed to experience. In another aspect, the size of the energy damping pad <NUM> (e.g., the surface area of the faces 121a, 121b) can be configured to ensure that the contact protrusion <NUM> properly contacts the energy damping pad <NUM> in any loading scenario.

The contact protrusion <NUM> can have any suitable configuration. The contact protrusion <NUM> has a spherical configuration. A spherical contact protrusion <NUM> can impact or contact the energy damping pad <NUM> correctly regardless of the direction or orientation of contact protrusion <NUM> relative to the damping pad <NUM>. In otherwords, a spherical configuration can provide a spherical contact interface with the energy damping pad <NUM> at any impact location or angle of impact with the energy damping pad <NUM> and at any orientation of the contact protrusion <NUM> at the point of contact with the energy damping pad <NUM>. This can ensure that the energy absorbed by the energy damping pad <NUM> is consistent and predictable, as opposed to the variability of another contact configuration (e.g., a corner) contacting the energy damping pad <NUM>. Thus, a spherical contact interface can provide a predictable and consistent distribution of energy to the energy damping pad <NUM> to enable the energy damping pad <NUM> to successfully absorb energy (e.g., in excess of that absorbed by the motion isolator <NUM>) and dampen motion (e.g., decelerate the supported structure <NUM>) in any loading condition.

Any suitable spherical configuration can be utilized, such as a whole or a part of a sphere. In the illustrated example, the contact protrusion <NUM> has a hemispherical configuration. The contact protrusion <NUM> can have any suitable size (e.g., a radius <NUM> shown in <FIG>), which may be adjusted along with the thickness 123a, 123b of the energy damping pad <NUM> to achieve a desired energy dissipation level and pad longevity. For example, a larger radius <NUM> and a thicker energy damping pad <NUM> can dampen more energy. Thus, for a given amount of energy dissipation, the radius <NUM> of the contact protrusion <NUM> can be sized inversely proportional to the thickness 123a, 123b of the energy damping pad <NUM>. In other words, a relatively thin energy damping pad <NUM> can be paired with a relatively large spherical contact protrusion <NUM>, and a relatively thick energy damping pad <NUM> can be paired with a relatively small spherical contact protrusion <NUM>. In one aspect, the radius <NUM> of the contact protrusion <NUM> can be selected based on the material of the energy damping pad <NUM> to ensure that the energy damping pad <NUM> is not damaged by the contact protrusion <NUM>. For example, a relatively small contact protrusion <NUM> may cause excessive stress when impacting the energy damping pad <NUM>, which exceeds the material strength. Thus, a larger radius <NUM> can result in reduced stress that will not damage the energy damping pad <NUM>. In some examples, the size of the contact protrusion <NUM> and/or the energy damping pad <NUM> may be based on space constraints.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the first face 121a can be oriented along a first plane 122a and toward the contact protrusion <NUM>. The second face 121b can be oriented along a second plane 122b transverse to the first plane 122a at an angle <NUM> and toward the contact protrusion <NUM>. The planes 122a, 122b can be at any suitable angle <NUM> relative to one another. The angle <NUM> may be varied to control rotation (e.g., roll, pitch, and/or yaw) and/or lateral displacement (e.g., surge and/or sway) of the supported structure <NUM>. In one aspect, the angle <NUM> can be selected based on a characteristic of the motion isolator <NUM> (e.g., torsional stiffness of a wire rope motion isolator). For example, a relatively steep angle <NUM> can be utilized with a "soft" wire rope motion isolator, and a relatively low angle <NUM> can be utilized with a "firm" wire rope motion isolator. In another aspect, the angle <NUM> may depend on the weight distribution and motion of the supported structure <NUM> as supported by the motion isolators 104a-c. Atypical angle <NUM> may be from about <NUM> degrees to about <NUM> degrees. The first face 121a can limit and dampen vertical (e.g., heave) displacement. In one aspect, the first plane 122a can be horizontal, although this need not always be the case and may be at an angle relative to a horizontal plane.

The first and second faces 121a, 121b of the energy damping pad <NUM> can have any suitable configuration. For example, at least one of the first or second faces 121a, 121b of the energy damping pad <NUM> can have a planar configuration, as shown in the illustrated example. In other examples, one or more faces of an energy damping pad can have a curved configuration. For instance, first and second faces 221a, 221b of an energy damping pad <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, can each have a curved configuration. A curved face configuration can include any curved surface or portion of a surface on a face of a damping pad. Such faces can be curved in one direction or dimension or in multiple directions or dimensions (e.g., doubly curved). A curved configuration can also include linear or non-curved elements, such as a planar surface or a linear surface.

In one aspect, faces of an energy damping pad can be part of a single pad or multiple pads or pad portions (e.g., one individual pad or pad portion for each face). In the example illustrated in <FIG>, the first and second faces 121a, 121b are part of a single energy damping pad <NUM>. In another example, shown in <FIG>, first and second faces 321a, 321b are part of multiple, individual, separate, and distinct energy damping pads or pad portions 320a, 320b, respectively. In other words, the energy damping pad portion 320a can include the first face 321a and the energy damping pad portion 320b can include the second face 321b.

Although the example illustrated in <FIG> has an energy damping pad <NUM> with two faces 121a, 121b, it should be recognized that an energy damping pad can have any number of faces oriented in any number of different orientations relative to one another. For example, an energy damping pad (or a combination of individual energy damping pads or pad portions) can have more than two faces. For example, as shown in <FIG>, an energy damping pad <NUM> can have three faces 421a, 421b, 421c. An energy damping pad with three or more faces can have any suitable configuration. In this example, the face 421a is a horizontal face, and the faces 421b, 421c are vertically angled faces. Although the vertically angled faces 421b, 421c are not in direct contact, in some examples, multiple vertically angled faces can be in direct contact with one another. Although only three faces 421a-c are illustrated, the energy damping pad <NUM> can include additional faces. For example, the energy damping pad <NUM> can include a portion extending from <NUM> with a face opposite the face 421b and/or a portion extending from <NUM> with a face opposite the face 421c. Such an energy damping pad configuration can form pentagonal surfaces that can surround a contact protrusion <NUM> for bidirectional displacement limitation in multiple degrees of freedom. Angles between the various faces (or planes) of the energy damping pad <NUM> can be the same or different from one another for a given application based on the complexity of the motion, the supported weight, the impact direction and orientation of the faces.

In one aspect, illustrated in <FIG>, an energy damping pad <NUM> can have a continuous spherical face <NUM>, which can form a spherical, <NUM> degree enclosed surface about a contact protrusion <NUM> for bidirectional displacement limitation in multiple degrees of freedom. Any suitable spherical configuration can be utilized, such as a whole or a part of a sphere. In the illustrated example, the spherical face <NUM> has a hemispherical configuration of less than half of a sphere, although other spherical configurations are contemplated. The energy damping pad <NUM> can have any suitable size (e.g., radius) and thickness in accordance with the principles described above.

With further reference to <FIG>, the energy damping and displacement control device <NUM> can include a backing plate <NUM> in support of the energy damping pad <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the backing plate <NUM> can have a first support surface 131a and a second support surface 131b. In one aspect, the first and second support surfaces 131a, 131b of the backing plate <NUM> can be configured to support the respective first and second faces 121a, 121b of the energy damping pad <NUM> at the desired angle <NUM>. The first and second support surfaces 131a. 131b of the backing plate <NUM> can have any suitable configuration. In one example, at least one of the first or second support surfaces 131a, 131b can have a planar configuration.

The energy damping and displacement control device <NUM> can also include a contact protrusion mounting bracket <NUM> coupled to, and in support of, the contact protrusion <NUM>. The contact protrusion <NUM> can be mounted position and/or orientation relative to the energy damping pad <NUM>, the supported load <NUM>, and the base <NUM>, such as on a top, a bottom, or a side of the supported structure, to provide any desired impact load direction. In one aspect, a vertical distance <NUM> (<FIG>) between the contact protrusion <NUM> and the energy damping pad <NUM> in the static condition can be adjustable. The vertical distance <NUM> can control displacement of the contact protrusion <NUM> before contact with the energy damping pad <NUM> (and deceleration of the supported structure <NUM>) to ensure that the energy damping pad <NUM> is properly absorbing energy to protect the system <NUM>. For example, the vertical distance <NUM> can be adjusted to ensure that the contact protrusion <NUM> does not contact the energy damping pad <NUM> "too soon" (e.g., "bottoming out" on the energy damping pad <NUM>) or "too late" (e.g., after failure of, or damage to, the motion isolator <NUM>). Proper adjustment of the vertical distance <NUM> can therefore ensure that the energy damping pad <NUM> is absorbing or damping the right amount of energy and displacement during operation to maintain system integrity. Adjustment of the vertical distance <NUM> can be made based on data obtained from an accelerometer on the supported structure <NUM>, thus fine tuning the as-built system <NUM>.

The vertical distance <NUM> can be adjusted by any suitable device or mechanism. In one example, the contact protrusion <NUM> can be fixedly coupled to a threaded rod <NUM> (<FIG>), which can be configured to engage a threaded hole <NUM> (<FIG> and <FIG>) in the contact protrusion mounting bracket <NUM>. The contact protrusion <NUM> can include engagement openings <NUM> configured to receive an adjustment tool (not shown). Rotation of the contact protrusion <NUM> via the engagement openings <NUM> can cause the contact protrusion <NUM> to move up/down relative to the energy damping pad <NUM> via the threaded engagement of the threaded rod <NUM> and the threaded hole <NUM>. In one aspect, the vertical distance <NUM> can be adjustable with one or more shims 115a, 115b between the contact protrusion <NUM> and the contact protrusion mounting bracket <NUM>. The shims 115a, 115b can be added or removed as needed to achieve a desired vertical distance <NUM>. The shims 115a, 115b can have any suitable thickness, which can be the same or different among the various shims utilized.

In one aspect, the energy damping and displacement control device <NUM> can include retainer brackets or walls <NUM>-<NUM> attached to the backing plate <NUM>. The retainer brackets <NUM>-<NUM> can be configured to contact sides of the energy damping pad <NUM> to minimize shear force in the energy damping pad <NUM> during contact with the contact protrusion <NUM> to maintain the energy damping pad <NUM> intact during high impact. The peripheral support provided by the retainer brackets <NUM>-<NUM> can limit shear motion of the energy damping pad <NUM> (e.g., under high impact load) relative to the underlying first and second support surfaces 131a, 131b of the backing plate <NUM> and keep the energy damping pad <NUM> intact and in place. The energy damping pad <NUM> may dimensionally expand (e.g., laterally) under impact with the contact protrusion <NUM>. Such expansion may facilitate proper energy dissipation by the energy damping pad <NUM>. Thus, in one aspect, the retainer brackets <NUM>-<NUM> can spaced from the energy damping pad <NUM>, such as by a gap at <NUM> (<FIG>), to accommodate dimensional expansion of the energy damping pad <NUM> under impact sufficient to dissipate energy from the impact while also limiting shear motion of the energy damping pad <NUM> relative to the underlying first and second support surfaces 131a, 131b of the backing plate <NUM>. In other words, the retainer brackets <NUM>-<NUM> can be configured to limit shear motion of the energy damping pad <NUM>, while also providing adequate room for the energy damping pad <NUM> to expand under impact in order to adequately dissipate energy from the impact. Thus, the gap <NUM> can be sized to allow proper damper material expansion due to impact by the contact protrusion <NUM>, which can enhance damping stability. In one aspect, one or more of the retainer brackets <NUM>-<NUM> can provide a water drainage and/or air escape path <NUM> around and/or under the energy damping pad <NUM>. Such a drainage or escape path <NUM> can provide additional energy absorption and damping stability.

The retainer brackets <NUM>-<NUM> can be positioned in any suitable location, such as on one or more lateral sides of the energy damping pad <NUM>. For example, as shown in <FIG>, the retainer brackets <NUM>-<NUM> are positioned to surround all lateral sides of the energy damping pad <NUM>, although it should be recognized that retainer brackets may be located on fewer than all lateral sides of an energy damping pad. In one aspect, one or more of the retainer brackets <NUM>-<NUM> can be configured to cover (e.g., be located over) a portion of one or more top surfaces (e.g., the faces 121a, 121b) of the energy damping pad <NUM> to provide a physical or mechanical barrier to removal of the energy damping pad <NUM> from the backing plate <NUM>. For example, the retainer brackets <NUM>, <NUM> can include respective flanges <NUM>, <NUM>. The flanges <NUM>, <NUM> can be configured to cover portions of the respective faces 121a, 121b of the energy damping pad <NUM> to capture the energy damping pad <NUM> on the backing plate <NUM>. In one aspect, the retainer brackets <NUM>-<NUM> can each provide a physical or mechanical barrier to displacement or removal of the energy damping pad <NUM> from the backing plate <NUM>, and can therefore function together to maintain the energy damping pad in place on the backing plate <NUM>. In one aspect, the energy damping pad <NUM> can be glued or bonded to the underlying backing plate <NUM>. Such gluing or bonding can be employed with or without the retainer brackets <NUM>-<NUM>. In one aspect, the retainer brackets <NUM>-<NUM> can provide support for the energy damping pad <NUM> sufficient to prevent bonding failure during use.

In one aspect, the backing plate <NUM> can be operable to mount the energy damping pad <NUM> to a structure (e.g., the base <NUM> or the supported structure <NUM>). Similarly, the contact protrusion mounting bracket <NUM> can be operable to mount the contact protrusion <NUM> to a structure (e.g., the base <NUM> or the supported structure <NUM>). In one aspect, the motion isolator <NUM> can be combined or included as a part of the energy damping and displacement control device <NUM>. In the illustrated example, the wire rope motion isolator <NUM> includes mounting brackets 105a, 105b for respective coil supports 106a, 106b of the wire rope motion isolator. In one aspect, the mounting bracket 105a can be coupled to or be formed integral with the backing plate <NUM>, and the mounting bracket 105b can be coupled to or be formed integral with the contact protrusion mounting bracket <NUM>. The backing plate <NUM> (and the mounting bracket 105a) and the contact protrusion mounting bracket <NUM> (and the mounting bracket 105b) can be secured to a structure (e.g., the base <NUM> or the supported structure <NUM>) in any suitable manner, such as by utilizing fasteners in holes or openings <NUM> (<FIG>).

It should be recognized that one or more energy damping and displacement control devices 101a-c can be utilized in any quantity, at any location, and arranged in any configuration about the supported structure <NUM> in order to adequately support and protect the supported structure <NUM>. Typically, an energy damping and displacement control device <NUM> will be positioned at a location of highest displacement, such as a corner. Although the illustrated examples show the energy damping and displacement control devices 101a-c located on a bottom side of the supported structure <NUM>, it should be recognized that an energy damping and displacement control device can be located on any suitable side or surface of a supported structure (e.g., side walls, top corners, etc.) based on weight distribution and the center of gravity and/or used to provide damping and displacement control for multiple supported structures at once (e.g., in a link chain arrangement).

In one aspect, illustrated in <FIG>, an energy damping and displacement control system <NUM> can include one or more energy damping and displacement control devices 601a-d and one or more motion isolators 604e, 604f that are independent of the energy damping and displacement control devices 601a-d. Thus, an energy damping and displacement control device and a motion isolator can be integral or independent of one another and utilized together in a system in any quantity, at any location, and arranged in any configuration to achieve desired system motion control performance.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a method for facilitating energy damping and displacement control is disclosed. The method comprises obtaining an energy damping and displacement control device comprising a contact protrusion, and an energy damping pad constructed of a resilient material, the energy damping pad having a first face oriented along a first plane, and a second face oriented along a second plane transverse to the first plane. The method further comprises facilitating coupling of the contact protrusion to at least one of a base or a supported structure. Additionally, the method comprises facilitating coupling of the energy damping pad to at least one of the base or the supported structure, wherein the first face and the second face are oriented toward the contact protrusion, wherein, in a static condition, the first and second faces of the energy damping pad are separated from the contact protrusion, and, in a dynamic condition, displacement motion of the contact protrusion relative to the energy damping pad is limited by contact with at least one of the first or second faces of the energy damping pad, which provides energy damping and motion displacement control of the contact protrusion in multiple axes. It is noted that no specific order is required in this method, though generally in one embodiment, these method steps can be carried out sequentially.

In one aspect of the method, facilitating coupling of the contact protrusion to at least one of the base or the supported structure can comprise obtaining a contact protrusion mounting bracket operable to mount the contact protrusion to at least one of the base or the supported structure, and coupling the contact protrusion mounting bracket to the contact protrusion.

In one aspect of the method, facilitating coupling of the energy damping pad to at least one of the base or the supported structure can comprise obtaining a backing plate operable to mount the energy damping pad to at least one of the base or the supported structure, wherein the backing plate is configured to support of the energy damping pad, the backing plate having a first support surface and a second support surface operable to support the respective first and second faces of the energy damping pad, and coupling the backing plate to the energy damping pad.

In one aspect, coupling the backing plate to the energy damping pad can comprise obtaining a plurality of retainer brackets and attaching the retainer brackets to the backing plate, the retainer brackets can be configured to contact sides of the energy damping pad to minimize shear force in the energy damping pad during contact with the contact protrusion to maintain the energy damping pad intact during high impact.

In one aspect, the method can further comprise obtaining a motion isolator.

In another aspect, the method can further comprise facilitating adjustment of a vertical distance between the contact protrusion and the energy damping pad in the static condition. In one aspect, facilitating adjustment of the vertical distance can comprise obtaining a shim.

Reference was made to the examples illustrated in the drawings and specific language was used herein to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the technology is thereby intended.

Although the disclosure may not expressly disclose that some embodiments or features described herein may be combined with other embodiments or features described herein, this disclosure should be read to describe any such combinations that would be practicable by one of ordinary skill in the art. The use of "or" in this disclosure should be understood to mean non-exclusive or, i.e., "and/or," unless otherwise indicated herein.

Claim 1:
An energy damping and displacement control device (<NUM>), comprising:
a contact protrusion (<NUM>) having a spherical surface configuration; and
an energy damping pad (<NUM>) constructed of a resilient material, the energy damping pad having a first face (121a) oriented along a first plane, and a second face (121b) oriented along a second plane transverse to the first plane, and toward the contact protrusion (<NUM>),
wherein, in a static condition, the first and second faces (121a, 121b) of the energy damping pad (<NUM>) are separated from the contact protrusion (<NUM>), and, in a dynamic condition, displacement motion of the contact protrusion relative to the energy damping pad is limited by a spherical contact interface between the contact protrusion and at least one of the first or second faces of the energy damping pad at any impact location, at any angle of impact, and at any orientation of the contact protrusion at a point of contact with the energy damping pad, which provides energy damping and motion displacement control of the contact protrusion in multiple axes.