Method and Apparatus for Improved Vibration Isolation

An aircraft, comprising:

• an airframe;
• a propulsion system carried by the airframe;
• and
• a vibration isolator disposed between the airframe and the propulsion system, the vibration isolator comprising:
• a housing defining a fluid chamber;
• a fluid disposed within the fluid chamber;
• a piston resiliently disposed within the housing and movable to and from a down position;
• a means for resiliently coupling the piston to the housing;
• and
• an elastic element for reducing transmission of vibrations from the piston to the housing when the piston is at the down position;
• whereby oscillatory forces generated by the propulsion system are reduced.

A method of vibration isolation, comprising:

• providing a housing defining a fluid chamber;
• providing a fluid disposed within the fluid chamber;
• providing a piston resiliently disposed within the housing and movable to and from a down position;
• providing a means for resiliently coupling the piston to the housing;
• and
• reducing transmission of vibrations from the piston to the housing when the piston is at the down position via an elastic element.