Method and apparatus for improved vibration isolation
AssigneeBell Helicopter Textron Inc.
InventorsFrank B. Stamps, Michael R. Smith
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A vibration-isolatator utilizes a relatively small-diameter tuning port or passage and associated reduction in component size. In the illustrative embodiment described herein, a passive isolator is provided which includes a tuning passage or port which has a diameter which is approximately one-half the diameter of the prior-art isolators. The reduced radial dimension of the tuning passage of the isolator results in a remarkable decrease in its size and weight, thus increasing the efficiency of operation of the aircraft.
Claims21
A vibration isolator comprising:
- a housing defining a fluid chamber;
- a fluid disposed in the chamber;
- piston disposed in the chamber and dividing it into two volumes;
- a passage permitting fluid flow from one volume of the fluid chamber to another, the passage having a uniform cross-sectional area;
- and
- a compound radius located at each end of the passage and extending over a predetermined portion of the length of the passage.
A vibration isolator comprising:
- a housing defining a fluid chamber;
- a fluid disposed in the chamber;
- a piston disposed in the chamber and dividing it into two volumes;
- a passage having a minimum cross-sectional area extending coaxially with the piston to permit flow of fluid from one volume of the chamber to another;
- said passage having a constant cross-sectional area over a length of the passage that is substantially as long as the piston and a non-constant cross-sectional area having a compound radius over a length of the passage that is longer than the minimum diameter of the passage.
A vibration isolator comprising:
- a housing defining a fluid chamber and adapted for coupling to one of a vibrating and an isolated object;
- a piston disposed in the housing and adapted for coupling to another of the vibrating and the isolated object;
- a fluid filling the housing;
- a passage extending through the piston and having a minimum diameter to permit flow of the fluid from one end of the housing to another;
- said passage having at each end a non-constant compound radius over a portion of its length greater than the minimum diameter of the passage.
A method of isolating an isolated object from a vibrating object comprising the method steps of:
- providing a housing which is mechanically coupled to said isolated object and said vibrating object with said housing defining a fluid chamber filled with fluid;
- providing a piston in said fluid chamber;
- forming a tuning passage coaxial with said piston which includes an enlarged region at each end of said passage, with said enlarged region having a length which is longer than a minimum diameter of said passage and a compound radius which is substantially non-constant;
- moving fluid within said tuning passage in response to vibration of said vibrating object in a manner which substantially diminishes the vibration received at said isolated object.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.