Method and apparatus for improved vibration isolation
AssigneeBell Helicopter Textron Inc.
InventorsMichael R. Smith, Frank B. Stamps, Robert J. Pascal
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A tunable vibration isolator with active tuning elements having a housing which defines fluid chambers. A piston is disposed within the housing. A vibration isolation fluid is disposed within the fluid chambers. A passage having a predetermined diameter extends through the piston to permit the vibration isolation fluid to flow from one fluid chamber to the other. The tunable vibration isolator may employ either a solid tuning mass approach or a liquid tuning mass approach. In either case, active tuning elements, or actuators, are disposed in the fluid chambers to selectively tune the vibration isolator.
Claims24
A vibration isolator comprising:
- a housing defining a fluid chamber;
- a fluid disposed within the fluid chamber;
- a piston resiliently disposed within the housing;
- a means for resiliently coupling the piston to the housing;
- a tuning mass operably associated with the piston;
- a first set of three active tuning elements operating in a generally axial direction upon a first concave plate member, such that the forces of the first set of three active tuning elements are balanced;
- and
- a second set of three active tuning elements operating in an opposing generally axial direction upon a second concave plate member, such that the forces of the second set of three active tuning elements are balanced;
- wherein each active tuning element is configured with convex surfaces to matingly couple with the first concave plate member and the second concave plate member, such that the balanced forces from the first and second sets of three active tuning elements are transferred to the piston.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.