Patent ID: 8899393

Claim:
An active damping system configured to be positioned between a base and an isolated payload that generates a static force, said active damping system comprising: an intermediate mass; a payload support element configured to be coupled between the isolated payload and said intermediate mass; an intermediate mass support element configured to be coupled between said intermediate mass and the base, said intermediate mass support element configured to support substantially all of the static force of the isolated payload; an active damping actuator having one end coupled to said intermediate mass and an opposite end configured to be coupled to said base, wherein the active damping actuator exhibits a stiffness at least two orders of magnitude less than a stiffness exhibited by the intermediate mass support element; a first sensor configured to generate a first signal responsive to movement of said intermediate mass caused by dynamic forces; and a compensation module configured to be coupled to said first sensor and said active damping actuator, said compensation module configured to respond to said first sensor signal by actuating said active damping actuator to dampen said dynamic forces acting on said intermediate mass.