Dual Radius Vibration Isolator for Aircraft Noise Attenuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vibration and noise isolators for aircraft applications require improvement in manufacturability and effectiveness, particularly in achieving low damping and soft spring elements to effectively isolate vibratory forces between structural components.
Innovation Solution
A vibration isolator design featuring a base plate with a first attachment feature, a second attachment feature supported by a planar section, and a spring section with paired radiused spring legs and a planar section, all formed as a unitary component from materials like metal, plastic, or carbon fiber, optionally incorporating elastomeric pads for varying damping characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If elastomeric isolators are used, then damping is provided, but spring softness and low damping characteristics are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The isolator is divided into distinct functional segments: a metallic spring section providing softness and low damping, and separate elastomeric pads providing damping. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its specific function without compromising the other, resolving the contradiction between vibration isolation effectiveness and spring softness.
Solution Approach 2:
The isolator combines metallic materials (for the spring section) with elastomeric materials (for the pads) to create a composite structure. This composite approach enables the system to simultaneously achieve the low damping and softness characteristics of metal springs while incorporating the damping properties of elastomers, thereby resolving the contradiction between these opposing requirements.
2Reliability
If multiple separate components are used to achieve desired isolation characteristics, then performance requirements are met, but manufacturability and assembly complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The spring section and attachment features are merged into a single integrally formed metallic component, eliminating the need for separate parts and complex assemblies. This merging maintains the required isolation performance while dramatically improving manufacturability through processes like stamping or forging, and simplifying assembly operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrally formed spring section simultaneously provides multiple functions: structural support, vibration isolation, spring softness, and attachment feature integration. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, thereby improving manufacturability while maintaining comprehensive vibration isolation performance.
3Reliability
If traditional isolator designs are used, then basic isolation is provided, but consistency across temperature ranges is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The spring section is designed with specific geometric parameters (radiused sections, axial sections, planar sections) that maintain consistent mechanical properties across varying temperatures. The metallic material and controlled geometry ensure that spring rate and isolation characteristics remain stable throughout the temperature range, achieving temperature-independent performance.
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
The isolator effectively decouples surfaces, reducing noise and vibratory forces, offering easy assembly, consistent performance across temperature ranges, and improved manufacturability with a soft spring rate in three orthogonal directions.
Implementation Method 1
a spring section interconnecting the first and second attachment features and including a pair of spring legs and a planar section that supports the second attachment feature, each of the spring legs having a first radiused section and a second radiused section
Implementation Method 2
At least one elastomeric pad can also be optionally provided between at least one of the base plate and spring section and the second attachment feature and the spring section
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A vibration isolator includes a base plate having a first attachment feature that enables attachment of the isolator to a first surface, the isolator further including a second attachment feature permitting attachment to a second surface. A spring section disposed between the base plate and the second attachment feature has a first radiused section and a second radiused section, each of the first and second radiused sections being formed in opposing directions on a continuous spring portion intermediate to the base plate and second attachment feature and in which the spring section provides noise attenuation and isolation between the first and second surfaces.