Fail-Safe Universal Isolator for Low-Displacement Vibration Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mechanical isolators used to mitigate resonance and vibration in systems like airplanes and engines fail catastrophically when subjected to high forces, leading to costly and time-consuming replacements, and lack the ability to maintain connection during failure.
Innovation Solution
A low displacement, fail-safe isolator design utilizing a combination of lower and upper isolator posts, an isolator compression disk, and multiple gaskets, including O-rings, that prevents direct contact between the isolator and the apparatus, allowing for graceful failure and easy rebuilding using COTS components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a mechanical isolator uses viscoelastic material bonded to metal studs to attenuate vibration, then vibration isolation performance is improved, but the isolator fails catastrophically when forces exceed the bond strength or material capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The isolator is divided into separate functional components: rigid posts for structural support and connection, and elastomeric elements for vibration isolation. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally - the rigid posts maintain connection integrity while the elastomeric elements provide isolation, preventing catastrophic failure of the entire system.
Solution Approach 2:
The design incorporates fail-safe features that prepare for potential failure beforehand. The rigid post structure is designed to remain intact even when elastomeric elements fail, providing a backup connection path that prevents catastrophic failure and maintains system integrity under extreme loading conditions.
2Strength
If the isolator uses strong bonding between viscoelastic material and metal studs to prevent failure, then connection strength is improved, but the isolator becomes difficult and expensive to repair when it fails
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the isolator into modular components (rigid posts, elastomeric elements, gaskets), the design enables easy replacement of only the worn elastomeric elements without replacing the entire isolator assembly. This modular approach significantly reduces repair complexity and cost compared to replacing a monolithic bonded isolator.
Solution Approach 2:
The design allows for selective replacement of consumable elastomeric elements while retaining the durable rigid post structure. This extends the service life of the isolator by recovering and reusing the metal components, reducing waste and repair costs.
3Ease of manufacture
If the isolator is designed as a single integrated component to simplify manufacturing, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but the isolator cannot be easily adapted to new applications or rebuilt
Solution Approach 1:
The modular component design with standardized interfaces (apertures, gaskets, compression disks) enables easy adaptation to different applications by simply changing the elastomeric elements or adjusting the compression disk, while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through standardized rigid post components.
Solution Approach 2:
The rigid post structure with standardized apertures and mounting features serves multiple functions across different applications, while the interchangeable elastomeric elements provide application-specific isolation characteristics. This universal design approach enhances adaptability without complicating manufacturing.
4Duration of action of stationary object
If the isolator uses repeated loading and age-related materials to ensure durability, then long-term reliability is improved, but the isolator eventually fails and requires complete replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The design distinguishes between durable components (rigid posts, metal gaskets) that can be recovered and reused, and consumable components (elastomeric elements) that degrade over time. This allows for partial replacement of only the worn elastomeric elements, extending the overall service life of the isolator system while maintaining repairability.
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 maintains connection and secures apparatuses even after elastomeric failure, is easily rebuilt, and can be adapted for new applications, providing effective vibration isolation and maintaining performance across various frequencies.
Implementation Method 1
at least three gaskets configured to prevent direct contact between the isolator and the second apparatus
Implementation Method 2
the isolator compression disk configured to retain the second apparatus against the isolator
Implementation Method 3
metal studs 102 bonded to a viscoelastic material 100, which attenuates vibrational forces
Data Source
AI summary
An isolator, the isolator comprising an isolator comprising a lower isolator post and an upper isolator post; an isolator compression disk configured to be secured to the upper isolator post; and at least three gaskets configured to be retained, in use, between an upper face of the isolator and a lower face of the isolator compression disk, wherein the lower isolator post, in use, is configured to be affixed to a first apparatus, wherein the upper isolator post is configured to be inserted through an aperture of a second apparatus, wherein the isolator compression disk is configured to retain the second apparatus against the isolator, and wherein the at least three gaskets are configured to prevent any direct contact between the isolator and the second apparatus.