PAYLOAD SHOCK AND VIBRATION ISOLATOR
A shock and vibration isolator comprising a housing securable to the support structure and having a rigid base, top and side portion, a traveler in the housing orientated about a longitudinal axis and configured to move axially and radially relative to the base portion of the housing, the traveler having a connection portion attachable to the payload and a radially-extending transfer portion, an upper, lower and radial non-rigid compliant element disposed axially between the top portion of the housing and the transfer portion of the rigid traveler, disposed axially between the base portion of the housing and the transfer portion of the traveler, and disposed radially between the side portion of the housing and the traveler, respectively, the non-rigid compliant elements operatively configured and arranged to selectively decouple axial and radial motion of the payload from axial and radial motion of the support structure.
1 . A shock and vibration isolator configured to act between a support structure and a payload comprising:
a housing securable to a support structure and having a rigid base portion, a rigid top portion and a rigid side portion;
a rigid traveler orientated about a longitudinal axis;
said rigid traveler disposed in said housing and configured to move axially and radially relative to said rigid base portion of said housing;
said rigid traveler having a connection portion attachable to a payload and a radially-extending transfer portion;
an upper non-rigid compliant element disposed axially between said top portion of said housing and said transfer portion of said rigid traveler;
a lower non-rigid compliant element disposed axially between said base portion of said housing and said transfer portion of said traveler;
said upper non-rigid compliant element and said lower non-rigid compliant element operatively configured and arranged to selectively decouple axial motion of said payload from axial motion of said support structure; and
a radial non-rigid compliant element disposed radially between said side portion of said housing and said traveler and operatively configured and arranged to selectively decouple radial motion of said payload from radial motion of said support structure.
2 . The isolator set forth in claim 1 , wherein said upper non-rigid compliant element comprises an upper spring and said lower non-rigid compliant element comprises a lower spring.
3 . The isolator set forth in claim 2 , wherein said upper and lower springs each comprise a wave spring or a coil spring.
4 . The isolator set forth in claim 3 , wherein said radially-extending transfer portion of said traveler comprises an upper annular seat retaining a first end of said upper spring and a lower annular seat retaining a first end of said lower spring.
5 . The isolator set forth in claim 1 , wherein said upper and lower non-rigid compliant elements each comprise a flexure.
6 . The isolator set forth in claim 1 , wherein said radial non-rigid compliant element comprises an elastomerically deformable element.
7 . The isolator set forth in claim 6 , wherein said radial non-rigid compliant element comprises an elastomeric O-ring.
8 . The isolator set forth in claim 1 , wherein said upper and lower non-rigid compliant elements are operatively configured and arranged to selectively decouple radial motion of said payload from radial motion of said structure.
9 . The isolator set forth in claim 1 , wherein said radial non-rigid compliant element is configured and arranged to selectively decouple axial motion of said payload from axial motion of said structure.
10 . The isolator set forth in claim 1 , and further comprising a fastener configured and arranged to rigidly attach said base portion of said housing to said support structure.
11 . The isolator set forth in claim 1 , wherein said fastener comprises a threaded fastener.
12 . The isolator set forth in claim 1 , wherein said housing is securable to said support structure via an adhesive or a weld.
13 . The isolator set forth in claim 1 , wherein said connection portion of said traveler comprises a threaded opening configured to receive a corresponding threaded bolt.
14 . The isolator set forth in claim 1 , wherein said connection portion of said traveler is attachable to said payload via an adhesive or a weld.
15 . The isolator set forth in claim 1 , wherein said radially-extending transfer portion of said traveler comprises an annular flange.
16 . The isolator set forth in claim 15 , wherein said annular flange of said radially-extending transfer portion of said traveler comprises an annular groove and said radial non-rigid compliant element comprises an elastomeric O-ring disposed in said annular groove of said traveler.
17 . A shock and vibration isolator configured to act between a support structure and a payload comprising:
a housing securable to a support structure and having a rigid base portion, a rigid top portion and a rigid side portion;
a rigid traveler disposed in said housing and configured to move axially and radially relative to said rigid base portion of said housing;
said rigid traveler having a connection portion attachable to a payload and a radially-extending transfer portion;
an upper non-rigid compliant element disposed axially between said top portion of said housing and said transfer portion of said rigid traveler;
a lower non-rigid compliant element disposed axially between said base portion of said housing and said transfer portion of said traveler; and
said upper non-rigid compliant element and said lower non-rigid compliant element operatively configured and arranged to selectively decouple axial motion of said payload from axial motion of said support structure.
18 . The isolator set forth in claim 17 , and further comprising a radial non-rigid compliant element disposed radially between said side portion of said housing and said traveler and operatively configured and arranged to decouple radial motion of said payload from radial motion of said structure.