Multi-axis isolator with opposing bellows for vibration attenuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current three-parameter isolators are limited to damping in a single degree of freedom, requiring a high number of isolators to achieve high fidelity isolation in six degrees of freedom, resulting in complexity, weight, and cost, while viscoelastic isolators provide non-linear damping characteristics difficult to predict.
Innovation Solution
A three-parameter, multi-axis isolator design incorporating an isolator housing with opposing bellows and a movably suspended damper piston, allowing deflection along multiple axes to reduce vibration transmission, and a method for producing such isolators with a plurality of hydraulic chambers defined within the housing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If three-parameter axial isolators are used to provide superior high-frequency damping, then vibration attenuation performance is improved, but the number of isolators required increases to six or more for 6-DOF isolation, resulting in increased device complexity, weight, and cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by enabling a single three-parameter isolator to provide damping in multiple degrees of freedom (at least two orthogonal directions) rather than just one axial direction. This allows the isolator to perform both axial damping and lateral damping functions, reducing the total number of isolators needed for 6-DOF isolation from six or more to three or four, thereby maintaining superior vibration attenuation while reducing device complexity, weight, and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dimensionality change by extending the damping capability from a single axial dimension to multiple spatial dimensions. The isolator incorporates damping elements arranged to provide damping forces in both axial and lateral directions, effectively transitioning from one-dimensional to multi-dimensional damping operation. This allows the same three-parameter damping mechanism to operate in multiple orientations simultaneously.
2Device complexity
If multidirectional viscoelastic isolators are used to reduce isolator count for 6-DOF isolation, then device complexity is reduced, but the damping characteristics become non-linear and difficult to predict, reducing measurement precision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by transitioning from viscoelastic materials with non-linear damping characteristics to viscous damping materials that provide substantially linear damping over a wide range of operating conditions. The viscous damping mechanism, typically implemented through fluid-filled chambers with orifices or viscous dampers, ensures that the damping force is directly proportional to velocity, making the system behavior predictable and easier to model across varying temperatures, dynamic environments, and loading conditions.
3Ease of manufacture
If two-parameter viscoelastic isolators are used for passive isolation, then simplicity and low cost are achieved, but the damping profile decreases in gain at an undesirably slow rate after peak frequency, reducing high-frequency vibration attenuation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by incorporating a second spring element in series with the damper and in parallel with the first spring element, creating a differentiated structural configuration. This local modification to the traditional two-parameter isolator structure transforms it into a three-parameter isolator, where the additional spring provides the necessary stiffness to achieve a more precipitous decrease in gain after peak frequency, thereby improving high-frequency vibration attenuation while maintaining relative simplicity.
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 multi-axis isolator provides superior vibration attenuation with a linear damping profile over a wide range of conditions, reducing the number of isolators needed for six-degree freedom isolation, thereby decreasing complexity, weight, and cost while enhancing predictability.
Implementation Method 1
The opposing bellows deflect with movement of the damper piston along multiple axes to limit the transmission of vibrations between the mass and the base
Implementation Method 2
a damper piston movably suspended within the isolator housing between the opposing bellows
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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Figure 5
AI summary
Embodiments of a three parameter, multi-axis isolator (50) configured to limit the transmission of vibrations between a mass (12) and a base (15) are provided. In one embodiment, the three parameter, multi-axis isolator (50) includes an isolator housing (52) configured to be mounted to the base (15), opposing bellows (82, 84) sealingly mounted within the isolator housing (52), and a damper piston (80) movably suspended within the isolator housing (52) between the opposing bellows (82, 84). The damper piston (80) is configured to be coupled to the mass (12). The opposing bellows (82, 84) deflect with movement of the damper piston (80) along multiple axes to limit the transmission of vibrations between the mass (12) and the base (15).