Isoelastic Mounting System With Asymmetric Elastic Elements

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing shock and vibration isolation systems (SVIS) face design constraints and weight limitations due to symmetric elastic element placement, which can lead to increased complexity and likelihood of failure, particularly in retrofit applications where geometric compatibility and weight distribution are issues.

Innovation Solution

A base-mounted isolation system with non-symmetrically arranged elastic elements in a plane or multiple planes, achieving modal decoupling and isoelasticity by ensuring the center of gravity coincides with the elastic center, reducing vibration rectification errors and providing uniform shock and vibration response across axes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If elastic elements are arranged symmetrically around the body, then the center of gravity coincides with the elastic center, but the system complexity increases and weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveisolation system reliabilityVSAvoidisolation system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies asymmetry by positioning elastic elements in a non-symmetric arrangement where the center of gravity coincides with the elastic center. This asymmetric configuration reduces system complexity and weight while maintaining the desired isolation properties, eliminating the need for complex symmetric structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

2Reliability

If elastic elements are arranged symmetrically around the body, then modal decoupling is achieved, but the bulk and weight of the system increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevibration isolation performanceVSAvoidisolation system weight
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses asymmetric positioning of elastic elements to achieve modal decoupling without requiring the bulk and weight of symmetric arrangements. By carefully selecting positions where the center of gravity coincides with the elastic center, the system achieves vibration isolation performance with reduced mass.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

3Reliability

If elastic elements are placed in multiple planes symmetrically, then isolation performance is improved, but geometric compatibility with retrofit applications is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshock and vibration isolationVSAvoidgeometric compatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs asymmetric elastic element positioning that can be adapted to various geometric constraints of retrofit applications. This asymmetric configuration provides flexibility in placement while maintaining effective shock and vibration isolation, improving adaptability to different equipment and space configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

4Measurement precision

If the SVIS is made isoelastic with same stiffness in all axes, then vibration rectification error is reduced, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveIMU measurement accuracyVSAvoidisolation system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent achieves isoelasticity (same stiffness in all axes) through asymmetric elastic element positioning rather than symmetric arrangements. This reduces vibration rectification error in IMU measurements while avoiding the complexity of symmetric multi-plane configurations by using a simplified asymmetric setup.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This configuration minimizes rocking and sway space, reduces vibration rectification errors, and ensures consistent shock and vibration response in all axes, enhancing the performance and reliability of equipment like inertial measurement units by reducing the bulk and weight of the isolation system.

Implementation Method 1

An SVIS employs a plurality of elastic elements which support a body with the intent of controlling the shock and vibration transmitted to said body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2286138B1Methods and apparatus for isolation system
Publication Date: 2016.01.13 RAYTHEON CO
  • EP2286138B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2286138B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2286138B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Methods and apparatus for isolation system according to various aspects of the present comprise a plurality of elastic elements disposed in one or more planes between an equipment body and a mounting structure and are not symmetric about the center of gravity of the equipment body. The isolation system is configured to modally decouple vibration along one axis from other axes of vibration and provide an isoelastic mounting system in up to all six degrees of freedom.