Damper having modular flexible ligaments and variable gaps

A damper comprising:

• a. an inner structure with a central axis and an outer cylindrical surface, wherein an inner surface of said inner structure is configured to engage a bearing such that said bearing may move relative to said damper, and wherein said bearing is configured to engage a rotatable shaft;
• b. a casing with an inner cylindrical surface, wherein the casing is positioned around the inner structure;
• c. a modular ligament positioned between the inner structure and the casing and extending along only a portion of the inner cylindrical surface, wherein the modular ligament comprises:
• i. an inner flange configured to selectively engage the inner structure such that the modular ligament may be securely engaged with the inner structure via the inner flange, and such that the inner structure may be completely disengaged from the modular ligament via disengagement of the inner flange;
• ii. an outer flange configured to selectively engage the casing such that the modular ligament may be securely engaged with the casing via the outer flange, and such that the casing may be completely disengaged from the modular ligament via disengagement of the outer flange;
• and,
• iii. a web connecting the inner flange to the outer flange, wherein the modular ligament supports the inner structure within the casing, and wherein the modular ligament allows a predetermined amount of relative motion between the inner structure and the outer structure in a dimension substantially perpendicular to the central axis.