Viscoelastic Rotational Vibration Absorber for Remote Sensing Applications

Abstract

The ability to eliminate, or effectively control, vibration in remote sensing applications is critical. Any perturbations of an imaging system are greatly magnified over the hundreds of kilometers from the orbiting space platform to the Earth’s surface. Space platforms, such as the International Space Station, are not as predictable or stable as many other spacecraft. Therefore, an effective vibration isolation and/or absorber system is needed that operates over a wide range of excitation frequencies. A passive system is also preferred to reduce the resources required, as well as provide a reliable and self-contained system. To accomplish these goals, a vibration amplitude limiting system has been developed that uses both vibration isolation and absorber components. Viscoelastic structural elements that act as both a spring and a damper in a single element are implemented in the design. This configuration also demonstrates a favorable frequency dependent response and produces a system with improved dynamic behavior compared to conventional spring and damper designs. This rotation limiting vibration system has been designed and analyzed for use in digital remote sensing imaging. The transmissibility and the ground jitter associated with the system are determined. A summary of these results will be presented along with a comparison to a more conventional vibration isolation/absorber system.