Vibration isolation system combining zero-power magnetic suspension with springs

An active vibration isolation system using zero-power magnetic suspension was studied analytically and experimentally. Since a zeropower magnetic suspension system behaves as if it has negative stiffness, connecting it in series with a normal spring can generate infinite stiffness against disturbances acting on an isolation table. This property is maintained even when a suspension that supports the weight of the isolation table is introduced in parallel with the serial combination. Analysis of a simple model involving a single-axis apparatus clarified the fundamental characteristics of the system. The force-displacement characteristics of the zero-power magnetic suspension were measured to estimate the negative stiffness properties. It was experimentally confirmed that combining a zero-power magnetic suspension with a normal spring generates high stiffness against static direct disturbances acting on an isolation table. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.