Vibration isolation device mounting system

A vibration isolation system comprising:

• a vibration isolation device comprising an upper housing and a lower housing, wherein the lower housing comprises a beveled upper portion and a lower portion;
• a support structure having an opening disposed therein, the opening having a concave recess;
• a thin elastomeric component attached to a surface of the concave recess;
• a spherical elastomeric bearing disposed in the opening and attached to the thin elastomeric component, the spherical elastomeric bearing having a beveled upper portion, a middle portion and a beveled lower portion;
• the beveled upper portion of the spherical elastomeric bearing and the beveled upper portion of the lower housing of the vibration isolation device are configured to engage one another;
• the middle portion of the spherical elastomeric bearing and the lower portion of the lower housing of the vibration isolation device are sized and configured to allow the lower portion of the lower housing of the vibration isolation device to be inserted into and slid through the spherical elastomeric bearing;
• and
• an attachment device secures the lower portion of the lower housing of the vibration isolation device to the spherical elastomeric bearing.

A vibration isolation system for a rotorcraft comprising:

• a first roof beam and a second roof beam coupled to an airframe of the rotorcraft;
• a forward cross member coupled to the first roof beam and the second roof beam;
• an aft cross member coupled to the first roof beam and the second roof beam;
• a first support structure coupled to the first roof beam in a forward position;
• a second support structure coupled to the first roof beam in an aft position;
• a third support structure coupled to the second roof beam in a forward position;
• a fourth support structure coupled to the second roof beam in an aft position;
• each support structure having an opening disposed therein, the opening having a concave recess, a thin elastomeric component attached to a surface of the concave recess, and a spherical elastomeric bearing disposed in the opening and attached to the thin elastomeric component, the spherical elastomeric bearing having a beveled upper portion, a middle portion and a beveled lower portion;
• a vibration isolation device for each support structure comprising an upper housing and a lower housing, wherein the lower housing comprises a beveled upper portion and a lower portion;
• wherein the beveled upper portion of the spherical elastomeric bearing and the beveled upper portion of the lower housing of the vibration isolation device are configured to engage one another;
• wherein the middle portion of the spherical elastomeric bearing and the lower portion of the lower housing of the vibration isolation device are sized and configured to allow the lower portion of the lower housing of the vibration isolation device to be inserted into and slid through the spherical elastomeric bearing;
• an attachment device secures the lower portion of the lower housing of the vibration isolation device to the spherical elastomeric bearing;
• a first pylon structure coupled to each of the upper housing of the vibration isolation device for the first support structure and the second support structure;
• and
• a second pylon structure coupled to each of the upper housing of the vibration isolation device for the first support structure and the second support structure.

A method of installing a vibration isolation device in a support structure:

• providing the vibration isolation device comprising an upper housing and a lower housing, wherein the lower housing comprises a beveled upper portion and a lower portion;
• providing the support structure comprising an opening disposed therein, the opening having a concave recess, a thin elastomeric component attached to a surface of the concave recess, a spherical elastomeric bearing disposed in the opening and attached to the thin elastomeric component, the spherical elastomeric bearing having a beveled upper portion, a middle portion and a beveled lower portion;
• sliding the lower portion of the lower housing of the vibration isolation device through the spherical elastomeric bearing until the beveled upper portion of the spherical elastomeric bearing and the beveled upper portion of the lower housing of the vibration isolation device engage one another;
• and
• securing the lower portion of the lower housing of the vibration isolation device to the spherical elastomeric bearing using an attachment device.