US 12,146,543 B2
Automated decoupling shock isolation for vibration couplers
Ashley Waldron, Tucson, AZ (US); Brian Hochheim, Tucson, AZ (US); and Stephane Joubert, Tucson, AZ (US)
Assigned to Raytheon Company, Tewksbury, MA (US)
Filed by Raytheon Company, Tewksbury, MA (US)
Filed on Oct. 30, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/497,408.
Application 18/497,408 is a division of application No. 17/346,206, filed on Jun. 12, 2021, abandoned.
Prior Publication US 2024/0060542 A1, Feb. 22, 2024
Int. Cl. G01M 7/02 (2006.01); F16F 1/373 (2006.01)
CPC F16F 1/3735 (2013.01) [G01M 7/02 (2013.01); F16F 2224/025 (2013.01); F16F 2226/045 (2013.01); F16F 2230/0005 (2013.01); F16F 2236/04 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A vibration testing unit comprising:
an automated coupler having an upper coupler part and a lower coupler part that are engaged during vibration testing and disengaged after the vibration testing; and
a plurality of shock isolators arranged in the lower coupler part between the upper coupler part and the lower coupler part, each of the plurality of shock isolators including:
a bushing; and
a compressive fit rod supported in the bushing, the compressive fit rod being compressible to a compressed position in which the compressive fit rod is compressed inside the bushing to disable the plurality of shock isolators when the upper coupler part and the lower coupler part are engaged during vibration testing, the compressive fit rod being expandable to an expanded position in which the compressive fit rod expands outwardly from the bushing to activate the plurality of shock isolators and absorb excess shock energy when the upper coupler part and the lower coupler part are disengaged.