A shock and vibration isolation system for mounting equipment to a base
wall uses a semi-active damper in parallel with a spring arrangement to
provide optimum isolation with respect to both shock and vibration. The
system comprises a load plate configured for attachment of the equipment
thereto and a base plate configured for attachment to the base wall. The
base plate is substantially parallel to the load plate. The system
further comprises a spring arrangement disposed intermediate the load
plate and the base plate. The spring arrangement engages the load plate
and the base plate to bias the load plate and the base plate in a
separated relationship. A semi-active damper is also disposed
intermediate the load plate and the base plate. The a semi-active damper
is adapted for providing a selectively variable reaction force to the
load plate and the base plate responsive to a relative displacement of
the load plate with respect to the base plate. A damper controller is
operatively connected to the semi-active damper for controlling the
reaction force applied to the load plate and the base plate. The damper
controller includes a rechargeable power supply. The isolation system
also comprises a recharging arrangement in electrical communication with
the rechargeable power supply. The recharging arrangement is mounted to
one of the base plate and the load plate and is adapted for converting
vibratory motion to electrical energy for storage in the rechargeable
power supply.