Wire Rope Isolator Crossbar for Sensor Vibration Damping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Sensors mounted on mobile vehicles experience resolution loss due to vibrations and sudden accelerations transmitted through the payload system mount, which are not effectively isolated or damped, leading to detrimental effects on sensor functionality.

Innovation Solution

A crossbar system with wire rope assemblies that partially decouple and dampen vibrations between the structure and the payload mount, using longitudinally and circumferentially extending wire ropes to isolate and secure the sensor assembly, allowing for relative movement and reducing the transmission of external vibrations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the crossbar system directly transmits motion from the payload system mount to the sensor assembly, then the sensor assembly can be securely mounted and rotated, but vibrations and sudden accelerations are transmitted to the sensor causing resolution loss

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor functionalityVSAvoidsensor resolution

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces wire rope isolators as intermediary elements between the crossbar system and the sensor assembly. These isolators act as mediators that mechanically connect the two components while filtering out harmful vibrations and accelerations, allowing motion transmission while protecting the sensor from detrimental forces

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The wire rope isolators change the mechanical parameters of the connection by introducing flexibility and damping characteristics. The isolators modify the stiffness and natural frequency of the mounting system, transforming the rigid direct connection into a compliant connection that attenuates high-frequency vibrations while permitting controlled motion

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Strength

If the crossbar system is rigidly coupled to the payload system mount, then structural strength is maximized, but all vibrations and accelerations are transmitted to the sensor assembly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecrossbar system strengthVSAvoidvibrations and accelerations

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs flexible wire rope isolators instead of rigid structural members to connect the crossbar system to the payload mount. These flexible elements maintain structural integrity and strength while inherently filtering out high-frequency vibrations through their elastic properties and damping characteristics

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The wire rope isolators function as composite structures combining multiple wire strands with different properties, creating a material system that exhibits both strength and vibration damping. The composite nature of the wire ropes allows them to withstand mechanical loads while dissipating vibrational energy through internal friction between strands

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 crossbar system effectively isolates the sensor assembly from external vibrations, reducing their impact and maintaining sensor resolution by decoupling and damping vibrations, thus enhancing the operational stability of sensors on mobile vehicles.

Implementation Method 1

The first and second wire rope assemblies are operable to partially decouple the first structure interface and the first payload mount interface and dampen vibrations propagating through the first crossbar assembly

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration damping: Damping

Implementation Method 2

dampen vibrations propagating through the first crossbar assembly

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS11554725B2Internally damped crossbar assembly having wire rope isolator

Publication Date: 2023.01.17 RAYTHEON CO

AI summary

A crossbar assembly for facilitating isolation of a sensor assembly from vibration comprises an outer crossbar segment, an inner crossbar segment, and an isolator. The outer crossbar segment comprises a payload mount interface and an outer isolator interface operable to mount to an isolator. The inner crossbar segment comprises a structure interface and an inner isolator interface operable to mount to the isolator. The isolator can be supported by the outer and inner crossbar segments. The isolator comprises a first wire rope assembly comprising wire ropes extending longitudinally from the outer crossbar segment to the inner crossbar segment, and a second wire rope assembly comprising a wire rope extending circumferentially between the outer and inner crossbar segments. The isolator operates to partially decouple the outer crossbar segment from the inner crossbar segment and dampen vibrations propagating between the outer and inner crossbar segments.