Active vibration isolator based on micromachined electrostatic actuators

Parallel plate actuators (PPAs) are widely used actuators in microelectromechanical systems. A PPA can be utilised as a passive/active vibration isolator. A novel active vibration isolator with a simple structure, which requires a constant voltage source and series capacitor, is proposed. The principle of the spring softening effect is analysed, which can avoid a specific external disturbance by changing its resonant frequency. A simulation study was performed to verify the feasibility of this type of isolator.