Patent Description:
A variety of different types of isolators are commonly utilized to isolate sensitive components, such as a sensor chassis in a drill pipe or an electronics suite in a missile, from unwanted vibrations and/or shocks. Related art isolators include mechanical snubbers, solid elastomer mounts or barriers, hydraulic engine mounts, and bushings. However, these related art isolators may provide relatively low levels of vibration isolation due to the relatively small amount of travel of the isolator and/or the inherent material properties of the isolator. Additionally, some related art isolators may be configured to attenuate vibrations in only one primary direction, such as an axial direction.

<CIT> discusses a fluid filled vibration damping device including: a first mounting member; a second mounting member having a cylindrical portion; and a main rubber elastic body elastically connecting the first and second mounting members. <CIT> discusses a hydro-mount comprising a support bearing and an end bearing which support each other by means of a spring element made of a resilient material. The spring element encloses a work space filled with a damping liquid. The spring element is made of silicone and, on its side facing the work space, is provided with a protective layer consisting of a material that is resistant to the damping liquid and is impervious thereto. <CIT> discusses a vibration-damping device having a first and a second mounting member elastically connected together by means of a main rubber elastic body; a resin bracket of generally tubular shape fastened fitting externally onto said second mounting member; and a rubber stopper having a through-hole formed in its basal end portion and supported by means of an engaging recess of the resin bracket. An inside width dimension of the engaging recess is wider at a bottom side portion than an opening portion so that an anchor shaped basal end portion of the rubber stopper fits inserted within said engaging recess, and the through-hole in the basal end portion of the rubber stopper is filled with the retaining resin element. <CIT> relates to a liquid filled type vibration insulating device disclosing the features according to the preamble of claim <NUM>.

The invention being defined only in the appended independent claims.

Examples mentioned in the following description that do not fall under the scope of the appended claims are to be construed as comparative examples useful for understanding the present invention.

The present disclosure is directed to various examples of an isolator configured to isolate a payload from unwanted vibrations and shocks. In one example, the isolator includes a housing having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, a primary chamber defined in the housing, a backpressure chamber defined in the housing, a conduit placing the primary chamber in fluid communication with the backpressure chamber, a backpressure membrane in the housing proximate the first end, an elastomer dome in the housing proximate the second end, and a shaft connected to the elastomer dome. The primary chamber and the backpressure chamber are between the backpressure membrane and the elastomer dome. The shaft is configured to be connected to the payload.

When vibrations or a shock are transmitted to the housing, the elastomer dome deflects to attenuate the vibrations or the shock reaching the payload through the shaft, the deflection of the elastomer dome forces a volume of the liquid in the primary chamber through the conduit into the backpressure chamber, and an influx of the volume of the liquid into the backpressure chamber deflects the backpressure membrane. The deflection of the backpressure membrane generates a restorative force configured to force a volume of the liquid in the backpressure chamber into the primary chamber through the conduit.

The housing may include a partition separating the primary chamber from the backpressure chamber. The conduit may be an opening defined in the partition. The isolator may include a liquid contained in the primary chamber and the backpressure chamber. The liquid in the primary chamber and the backpressure chamber may be oil, such as mineral oil. The backpressure membrane includes a resilient material, such as silicone elastomer. The isolator includes a lateral bump stop connected to the second end of the housing. The lateral bump stop extends inward from the housing toward the shaft. The isolator may also include an axial bump stop connected to the housing.

The present disclosure is also directed to various methods of isolating a payload from unwanted vibrations and shocks. In one example, the method includes deforming an elastomer dome disposed between a vibration source and the payload to provide multi-axis damping, and pumping a volume of liquid from a first chamber to a backpressure chamber through a conduit with the elastomer dome to provide fluidic damping.

The method may include pumping a volume of the liquid from the backpressure chamber to the first chamber with a backpressure membrane. The liquid may be mineral oil.

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of features and concepts of examples of the present disclosure that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used in limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter. One or more of the described features may be combined with one or more other described features to provide a workable device.

These and other features and advantages of examples of the present disclosure will become more apparent by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the following drawings. In the drawings, like reference numerals are used throughout the figures to reference like features and components. Additionally, the patent or application file contains at least one drawing executed in color.

The present disclosure is directed to various examples of an isolator. In one or more examples, the isolator is configured to provide both multi-axis elastomeric damping and fluidic damping (e.g., hydraulic damping) to attenuate vibrations and thereby isolate a payload from unwanted vibrations. The isolators of the present disclosure may be utilized to isolate a variety of different payloads, such as a sensor chassis in a hydrocarbon drill well or an electronics suite in a missile, from unwanted vibrations and/or shocks, which might otherwise damage or inhibit proper performance of the payload.

With reference now to <FIG>, an isolator <NUM> according to one example of the present disclosure includes a first chamber <NUM> (e.g., a primary chamber), a second chamber <NUM> (e.g., a backpressure chamber), and a conduit <NUM> extending between the first and second chambers <NUM>, <NUM>. The isolator <NUM> also includes a liquid <NUM> (e.g., an oil such as mineral oil) contained in the first and second chambers <NUM>, <NUM>. The conduit <NUM> defines a fluid path (e.g., a fluid track) placing the first chamber <NUM> in fluid communication with the second chamber <NUM> such that the liquid <NUM> can flow between the first and second chambers <NUM>, <NUM>. Although in the illustrated example the first chamber <NUM> is in-line (e.g., aligned) with the second chamber <NUM>, in one or more examples, the first and second chambers <NUM>, <NUM> may have any other suitable relative positions (e.g., the first and second chambers <NUM>, <NUM> may be misaligned or offset from each other).

In the illustrated example, the isolator <NUM> also includes an elastomer dome <NUM> at least partially surrounding the first chamber <NUM> (e.g., the elastomer dome <NUM> defines at least a portion of the first chamber <NUM>), and a backpressure membrane <NUM> at least partially surrounding the second chamber <NUM> (e.g., the backpressure membrane <NUM> defines at least a portion of the second chamber <NUM>). In the illustrated example, the elastomer dome <NUM> and the backpressure membrane <NUM> are each dome-shaped members extending in opposite directions away from each other. In one or more examples, the backpressure membrane <NUM> may have any other suitable configuration (e.g., the backpressure membrane <NUM> may not be dome-shaped). In one or more examples, the elastomer dome <NUM> and the backpressure membrane <NUM> are each made out of a resilient (e.g., elastic) material. In one or more examples, the elastomer dome <NUM> and the backpressure membrane <NUM> may each be made out of any suitable type or kind of elastomer, such as silicone elastomers (e.g., NuSil™ <NUM>), ethylene propylene rubber (EPM), ethylene propylene diene rubber (EPDM), ethylene-vinyl acetate EVA), thermoplastic elastomers (TPE), natural polyisoprene, synthetic polyisoprene, Buna-N rubber (nitrile rubber), or combinations thereof.

With continued reference to the example illustrated in <FIG>, the isolator <NUM> also includes a base <NUM> coupled to the elastomer dome <NUM> and the backpressure membrane <NUM>. The base <NUM> is configured to facilitate attaching the isolator <NUM> to any component or components in an environment in which the isolator <NUM> will be utilized to attenuate unwanted vibrations and/or shocks. Additionally, in the illustrated example, the isolator <NUM> includes a shaft <NUM> connected to the elastomer dome <NUM>. The shaft <NUM> is configured to be connected to a payload, and the isolator <NUM> is configured to isolate the payload from unwanted vibrations and/or shocks transmitted to the base <NUM> of the isolator <NUM> from a source of vibrations and/or shocks (i.e., the isolator <NUM> is configured to attenuate the transmission of unwanted vibrations and/or shocks from the source to the payload connected to the shaft <NUM>). The payload may be any component or components that is desired to be isolated from unwanted vibrations and/or shocks, such as, for instance, a sensor chassis or an electronics suite, and the source of the vibrations and/or shocks may be any component or components in the environment in which the payload is present, such as, for instance, a missile body or the pressure casing and/or the drill string of a petroleum drill well.

In operation, movement of the base <NUM> caused by vibrations and/or a shock transmitted to the base <NUM> of the isolator <NUM> causes the elastomer dome <NUM> to deflect (e.g., deform), which reduces or limits transmission of the vibrations and/or the shock to the payload connected to the shaft <NUM>. That is, the elastomer dome <NUM> effectively decouples the shaft <NUM> from the base <NUM> to reduce the transmission of vibrations and/or a shock to the payload connected to the shaft <NUM>. In the illustrated example, the elastomer dome <NUM> is configured to deflect both radially (i.e., the x-direction in <FIG>) and axially (i.e., the y-direction in <FIG>) to provide vibration isolation in all translational directions. In this manner, the elastomer dome <NUM> is configured to provide multi-axis damping to attenuate the transmission of the vibrations and/or the shock to the isolated payload through the shaft <NUM>. In the illustrated example, the elastomer dome <NUM> is also configured to deflect rotationally about the axial direction (i.e., rotationally around the y-axis in <FIG>) to provide vibration isolation in a rotational direction. The configuration of the elastomer dome <NUM> (e.g., the geometry of the elastomer dome <NUM>, including the shape, size, and thickness of the elastomer dome <NUM>) and the material properties of the elastomer dome <NUM> (e.g., the material, hardness (durometer), and stiffness of the elastomer dome) may be selected depending on the magnitude of the vibrations and/or the shock input to the base <NUM> from the vibration source and/or the desired degree of vibrational isolation provided to the payload connected to the shaft <NUM>.

Additionally, when vibrations and/or a shock (or at least a component thereof) is imparted to the base <NUM> along the axial direction of the base <NUM> (e.g., the positive y-direction in <FIG>), at least a portion the elastomer dome <NUM> deflects axially in the opposite direction (e.g., at least a portion of the elastomer dome <NUM> deflects in the negative y-direction in <FIG>). The deflection of the elastomer dome <NUM> in the axial direction (e.g., the negative y-direction in <FIG>) reduces the volume of the first chamber <NUM> and thereby increases the pressure of the liquid <NUM> in the first chamber <NUM>. A volume of liquid <NUM> in the first chamber <NUM> corresponding to the volume of liquid <NUM> in the first chamber <NUM> that was displaced by the deflection or deformation of the elastomer dome <NUM> is forced through the conduit <NUM> into the second chamber <NUM>. In this manner, the elastomer dome <NUM> is configured to function as a piston to pump a volume of the fluid <NUM> in the first chamber <NUM> to the second chamber <NUM> through the conduit <NUM> in response to vibrations and/or a shock imparted to the base <NUM> of the isolator <NUM>. In one or more examples, the stiffness of the elastomer dome <NUM> is sufficiently soft to provide multi-axis damping, but stiff enough to pump the volume of the liquid <NUM> from the first chamber <NUM> to the second chamber <NUM> through the conduit <NUM>. In one or more examples, the isolator <NUM> may include one or more mechanisms (not shown) for deflecting at least a portion of the elastomer dome <NUM> axially (e.g., in the negative y-direction) and thereby pumping a volume of the liquid <NUM> into the second chamber <NUM> when a rotational force (e.g., a rotational force about the y-axis) is imparted to the base <NUM>, such as, for instance, a shaft passing through a threaded fitting that shortens the shaft and thereby compresses the elastomer dome <NUM> when the shaft rotates and/or an arm attached radially to the axis and offset from the elastomer dome <NUM> such that rotation causes the arm to compress the elastomer dome <NUM>.

The backpressure membrane <NUM> is configured to deflect and/or deform in the axial direction (e.g., the negative y-direction in <FIG>) in response to the influx of additional liquid <NUM> into the second chamber <NUM> (e.g., the backpressure membrane <NUM> is configured to expand axially, which increases the size of the second chamber <NUM> to accommodate the influx of additional liquid <NUM>). The deflection and/or deformation of the backpressure membrane <NUM> in the axial direction due to the influx of an additional volume of the liquid <NUM> into the second chamber <NUM> provides fluidic damping (e.g., hydraulic damping) along the axial direction (e.g., the y-axis in <FIG>) of the shaft <NUM>. Additionally, in the illustrated example, the cross-sectional size of the conduit <NUM> is smaller than the cross-sectional size of each of the first and second chambers <NUM>, <NUM> such that the conduit <NUM> restricts the flow of the liquid <NUM> between the first chamber <NUM> and the second chamber <NUM>. This restriction of the liquid flow through the conduit <NUM> is configured to provide fluidic damping to limit the transmission of vibrations and/or shock to the payload connected to the shaft <NUM>. The configuration (e.g., shape and size) of the conduit <NUM> may be selected depending on the magnitude of the vibrations and/or shock input to the base <NUM> from the vibration source and/or the desired level of fluidic damping.

Additionally, the deflection and/or deformation of the backpressure membrane <NUM>, which is formed of a resilient (e.g., elastic) material, generates a restorative force in an axial direction (e.g., the positive y-direction in <FIG>) opposite to the direction in which the backpressure membrane <NUM> was deflected and/or deformed. This restorative force is configured to force (e.g., pump) a volume of the liquid <NUM> in the second chamber <NUM> back through the conduit <NUM> into the first chamber <NUM>. The restorative force supplied by the deflected backpressure membrane <NUM> is configured to force a volume of the liquid <NUM> into the first chamber <NUM> through the conduit <NUM> until the pressure of the liquid <NUM> in the first chamber <NUM> is equal or substantially equal to the pressure of the liquid <NUM> in the second chamber <NUM> (i.e., the deflection and/or deformation of the backpressure membrane <NUM> is configured to change the pressure of the liquid <NUM> in the second chamber <NUM> until a pressure equilibrium or substantially a pressure equilibrium is reached between the liquid <NUM> in the first chamber <NUM> and the second chamber <NUM>). This cycle of pumping the liquid <NUM> between the first chamber <NUM> and the second chamber <NUM> through the conduit <NUM> may continue as long as unwanted vibrations and/or shocks are input to the base <NUM> of the isolator <NUM> in order to provide fluidic damping to attenuate the transmission of the vibrations and/or the shocks to the isolated payload.

Accordingly, the example of the isolator <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> is configured to provide both multi-axis isolation (e.g., translational and rotational vibration isolation) due to the elastomer dome <NUM> being coupled between the base <NUM> and the shaft <NUM>, and fluidic damping (e.g., hydraulic damping) along the axial direction (e.g., the y-axis in <FIG>) due to the pumping of the fluid between the first and second chambers <NUM>, <NUM> through the conduit <NUM>.

With reference now to <FIG>, an isolator <NUM> according to one example of the present disclosure includes a case or a housing <NUM>, a primary isolation chamber <NUM> in the housing <NUM>, a backpressure chamber <NUM> in the housing <NUM>, an elastomer dome <NUM> in the housing <NUM>, and a backpressure membrane <NUM> in the housing <NUM>. In the illustrated example, the elastomer dome <NUM> and the backpressure membrane <NUM> are each dome-shaped members extending in opposite directions away from each other. In one or more examples, the backpressure membrane <NUM> may have any other suitable shape (e.g., the backpressure membrane <NUM> may not be dome-shaped). In one or more examples, the elastomer dome <NUM> and the backpressure membrane <NUM> are each made out of a resilient (e.g., elastic) material. In one or more examples, the elastomer dome <NUM> and the backpressure membrane <NUM> are made out of any suitable type or kind of elastomer, such as silicone elastomers (e.g., NuSil™ <NUM>), ethylene propylene rubber (EPM), ethylene propylene diene rubber (EPDM), ethylene-vinyl acetate EVA), thermoplastic elastomers (TPE), natural polyisoprene, synthetic polyisoprene, Buna-N rubber (nitrile rubber), or combinations thereof.

In the illustrated example, the housing <NUM> includes a sidewall <NUM> (e.g., a cylindrical sidewall) extending between a first end <NUM> of the housing <NUM> and a second end <NUM> of the housing <NUM> opposite the first end <NUM>. Although in the illustrated example the housing <NUM> is generally cylindrical, in one or more examples the housing <NUM> may have any other shape suitable for the environment in which the isolator <NUM> is intended to be utilized (e.g., a missile body or an oil well) to attenuate unwanted vibrations and/or shock. For example, in one or more examples, the housing <NUM> may have a prismatic shape. In the illustrated example, the backpressure chamber <NUM> is proximate to the first end <NUM> of the housing <NUM> and the primary isolation chamber <NUM> is proximate to the second end <NUM> of the housing <NUM>.

With continued reference to the example illustrated in <FIG>, the housing <NUM> includes a wall or partition <NUM> connected to the sidewall <NUM>. The partition <NUM> is positioned at an intermediate position between the first and second ends <NUM>, <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. The partition <NUM> separates the backpressure chamber <NUM> from the primary isolation chamber <NUM>. Additionally, in the illustrated example, the partition <NUM> defines an opening <NUM> (e.g., a conduit) placing the primary isolation chamber <NUM> in fluid communication with the backpressure chamber <NUM>. In the illustrated example, the primary isolation chamber <NUM> is defined between the elastomer dome <NUM>, the partition <NUM>, and a portion of the sidewall <NUM> proximate to the second end <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. In the illustrated example, the backpressure chamber <NUM> is defined between the backpressure membrane <NUM>, the partition <NUM>, and a portion of the sidewall <NUM> proximate to the first end <NUM> of the housing <NUM>.

With continued reference to the example illustrated in <FIG>, the isolator <NUM> includes a volume of liquid <NUM> in the primary isolation chamber <NUM> and the backpressure chamber <NUM>. In one or more examples, the liquid <NUM> contained in the primary isolation chamber <NUM> and the backpressure chamber <NUM> is oil (e.g., a high viscosity oil such as high viscosity mineral oil). The opening <NUM> defines a fluid path (e.g., a fluid track) placing the primary isolation chamber <NUM> in fluid communication with the backpressure chamber <NUM> such that the liquid <NUM> can flow between the primary isolation chamber <NUM> and the backpressure chamber <NUM>.

In the illustrated example, the first end <NUM> of the housing <NUM> is configured to be connected to a vibration source (e.g., a drill string). In one or more examples, an outer surface of the sidewall <NUM> at the first end <NUM> includes external threads and/or the first end <NUM> of the housing <NUM> may define a series of internally threaded openings configured to accommodate fasteners coupling the isolator <NUM> to the vibration source. With continued reference to the example illustrated in <FIG>, the isolator <NUM> also includes a shaft <NUM> connected to the elastomer dome <NUM>. In the illustrated example, the shaft <NUM> is connected to the housing <NUM> by the elastomer dome <NUM>. In the illustrated example, the shaft <NUM> extends out through an opening <NUM> in the second end <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. The shaft <NUM> is configured to be connected to a payload, and the isolator <NUM> is configured to isolate the payload from unwanted vibrations and/or shocks transmitted to the housing <NUM> from the vibration source (i.e., the isolator <NUM> is configured to attenuate the transmission of unwanted vibrations from the vibration source to the payload connected to the shaft <NUM>).

In operation, movement of the housing <NUM> caused by vibrations and/or a shock transmitted to the housing <NUM> of the isolator <NUM> causes the elastomer dome <NUM> to deflect (e.g., deform), which reduces or limits transmission of the vibrations and/or the shock to the payload connected to the shaft <NUM>. That is, the deformable elastomer dome <NUM> effectively decouples the shaft <NUM> from the housing <NUM> to reduce the transmission of vibrations and/or shock to the payload connected to the shaft <NUM>. In the illustrated example, the elastomer dome <NUM> is configured to deflect both radially (e.g., the x-direction in <FIG>) and axially (e.g., the y-direction in <FIG>) to provide vibration isolation in all translational directions. In this manner, the elastomer dome <NUM> is configured to provide multi-axis damping to attenuate the transmission of the vibrations and shocks to the isolated payload through the shaft <NUM>. In the illustrated example, the elastomer dome <NUM> is also configured to deflect rotationally about the axial direction (e.g., rotationally around the y-axis in <FIG>) to provide vibration isolation in a rotational direction. The configuration of the elastomer dome <NUM> (e.g., the geometry of the elastomer dome <NUM>, including the shape, size, and thickness of the elastomer dome <NUM>) and the material properties of the elastomer dome <NUM> (e.g., the material, hardness, and stiffness of the elastomer dome <NUM>) may be selected depending on the magnitude of the vibrations and/or the shock input to the housing <NUM> from the vibration source and/or the desired degree of vibrational isolation provided to the payload connected to the shaft <NUM>.

Additionally, when vibrations and/or a shock (or at least a component thereof) is imparted to the housing <NUM> along the axial direction of the housing <NUM> (e.g., the +y-direction in <FIG>), at least a portion the elastomer dome <NUM> deflects axially in the direction of the first end <NUM> of the housing <NUM> (e.g., the -y-direction in <FIG>). The deflection of the elastomer dome <NUM> in the direction of the first end <NUM> of the housing <NUM> reduces the volume of the primary isolation chamber <NUM> and thereby increases the pressure of the liquid <NUM> in the primary isolation chamber <NUM>. A volume of liquid <NUM> in the primary isolation chamber <NUM> corresponding to the volume of liquid <NUM> in the primary isolation chamber <NUM> that was displaced by the deflection or deformation of the elastomer dome <NUM> is forced through the opening <NUM> (e.g., the conduit) in the partition <NUM> into the backpressure chamber <NUM>. In this manner, the elastomer dome <NUM> is configured to function as a piston to pump a volume of the liquid <NUM> in the primary isolation chamber <NUM> to the backpressure chamber <NUM> through the opening <NUM> in response to vibrations and/or a shock imparted to the housing <NUM> of the isolator <NUM>.

The backpressure membrane <NUM> is configured to deflect and/or deform (e.g., in the direction of the first end <NUM> of the housing <NUM>) in response to the influx of additional liquid <NUM> into the backpressure chamber <NUM> (e.g., the backpressure membrane <NUM> is configured to expand axially in the direction of the first end <NUM> of the housing <NUM>, which increases the size of the backpressure chamber <NUM> to accommodate the influx of additional liquid <NUM>). The deflection or deformation of the backpressure membrane <NUM> in the axial direction (e.g., the negative y-direction in <FIG>) toward the first end <NUM> of the housing <NUM> due to the influx of an additional volume of liquid <NUM> into the backpressure chamber <NUM> provides fluidic damping (e.g., hydraulic damping) along the axial direction (e.g., the y-axis in <FIG>) of the shaft <NUM>.

Additionally, in the illustrated example, the cross-sectional size of the opening <NUM> in the partition <NUM> (e.g., the conduit) is smaller than the cross-sectional size of the chambers <NUM>, <NUM> such that the opening <NUM> restricts the flow of the fluid between the primary chamber <NUM> and the backpressure chamber <NUM>. This restriction of the liquid flow through the opening <NUM> is configured to provide fluidic damping to limit the transmission of vibrations and/or shock to the payload connected to the shaft <NUM>. The configuration (e.g., shape and size) of the opening <NUM> in the partition <NUM> may be selected depending on the magnitude of the vibrations and/or shock input to the housing <NUM> from the vibration source and/or the desired level of fluidic damping. In one or more examples, the stiffness of the elastomer dome <NUM> is sufficiently soft to provide multi-axis damping, but stiff enough to pump a volume of the liquid <NUM> from the primary isolation chamber <NUM> to the backpressure chamber <NUM> through the opening <NUM> in the partition <NUM>.

Additionally, the deflection and/or deformation of the backpressure membrane <NUM>, which is formed of a resilient (e.g., elastic) material, generates a restorative force in an axial direction (e.g., the positive y-direction in <FIG>) opposite to the direction in which the backpressure membrane <NUM> was deflected and/or deformed. This restorative force is configured to force (e.g., pump) a volume of the liquid <NUM> in the backpressure chamber <NUM> back through the opening <NUM> in the partition <NUM> into the primary isolation chamber <NUM>. The restorative force supplied by the deflected backpressure membrane <NUM> is configured to force a volume of the liquid <NUM> into the primary isolation chamber <NUM> through the opening <NUM> until the pressure of the liquid <NUM> in the primary isolation chamber <NUM> substantially equals the pressure of the liquid <NUM> in the backpressure chamber <NUM> (e.g., the deflection and/or deformation of the backpressure membrane <NUM> is configured to change the pressure of the liquid <NUM> in the backpressure chamber <NUM> until a pressure equilibrium is reached between the liquid <NUM> in the primary isolation chamber <NUM> and the backpressure chamber <NUM>). This cycle of pumping the liquid <NUM> between the primary isolation chamber <NUM> and the backpressure chamber <NUM> through the opening <NUM> in the partition <NUM> may continue as long as unwanted vibrations and/or shock are input to the housing <NUM> of the isolator <NUM> in order to provide fluidic damping to attenuate the transmission of the vibrations and/or the shocks to the isolated payload coupled to the shaft <NUM>.

Accordingly, the example of the isolator <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> is configured to provide both multi-axis isolation (e.g., translational and rotational isolation) due to the elastomer dome <NUM> being coupled between the housing <NUM> and the shaft <NUM>, and fluidic damping (e.g., hydraulic damping) along the axial direction (e.g., the y-axis in <FIG>) due to the pumping of the liquid <NUM> between the chambers <NUM>, <NUM> through the opening <NUM> (e.g., the conduit) in the partition <NUM>.

Additionally, in the example illustrated in <FIG>, the isolator <NUM> includes a lateral bump stop contact <NUM> and an axial bump stop contact <NUM>. In the illustrated example, the bump stop contacts <NUM>, <NUM> are coupled to the housing <NUM> proximate to the second end <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. In the illustrated example, the lateral bump stop contact <NUM> extends around an interior circumference of the opening <NUM> at the second end <NUM> of the housing <NUM> and extends radially inward from the sidewall <NUM> of the housing <NUM> (e.g., the annular bump contact <NUM> is an annular member extending radially inward from the sidewall <NUM> of the housing <NUM>). Accordingly, the lateral bump stop contact <NUM> is spaced apart from and extends around a portion of the shaft <NUM>. The lateral bump stop contact <NUM> is configured to prevent lateral contact between the shaft <NUM> and the housing <NUM> (e.g., the sidewall <NUM> of the housing <NUM>), which might otherwise occur if the housing <NUM> is subjected to large amplitude lateral vibrations and/or large amplitude lateral shocks. In the illustrated example, the axial bump stop contact <NUM> is an annular member extending around the second end <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. The axial bump stop contact <NUM> is configured to prevent axial contact between the shaft <NUM> and the second end <NUM> of the housing <NUM>, which might otherwise occur if the housing <NUM> is subjected to large amplitude axial vibrations and/or axial shock. Accordingly, the lateral bump stop contact <NUM> and the axial bump stop contact <NUM> are configured to prevent lateral and axial contact, respectively, between the shaft <NUM> and the housing <NUM> which would transmit unwanted vibrations to the payload coupled to the shaft <NUM>. In the illustrated example, the lateral bump stop contact <NUM> and the axial bump stop contact <NUM> are integrally formed from a single, monolithic component extending around the second end <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. In one or more examples, the lateral bump stop contact <NUM> and the axial bump stop contact <NUM> may be separate components. The configuration of the bump stop contacts <NUM>, <NUM> (e.g., the size and thickness) and the material of the bump stop contacts <NUM>, <NUM> (e.g., the hardness or durometer) may be selected depending on the amplitude of the vibration and/or shock events in the environment in which the isolator <NUM> will be utilized, and the desired damping provided by the bump stop contacts <NUM>, <NUM> in the event of large amplitude axial and/or lateral vibrations and/or shocks. In one or more examples, the bump stop contacts <NUM>, <NUM> may be made out of an elastic material. Although in the illustrated example the bump stop contacts <NUM>, <NUM> are separate components, in one or more examples, the lateral bump stop contact <NUM> and the axial bump stop contact <NUM> may be integrally provided in a single component.

<FIG> depicts the transmissibility of vibrations through an isolator <NUM>, <NUM> according to one example of the present disclosure as a function of the vibration frequency. In one or more examples, the isolator <NUM>, <NUM> has a relatively low resonant frequency of approximately <NUM> or less and a damping ratio of approximately <NUM>. In one or more examples, the isolator <NUM>, <NUM> may have any other damping ratio suitable for the environment in which the isolator <NUM>, <NUM> is intended to be utilized and/or the nature of the isolated payload, such as, for instance, a damping ratio greater than approximately <NUM> or less than approximately <NUM>. An isolator according to one or more examples of the present disclosure was tested by subjecting the isolator to vibration levels up to approximately <NUM>rms at frequencies from approximately <NUM> to approximately <NUM>. The tested isolator achieved a travel of approximately +/- <NUM> inches in the axial and radial directions, which demonstrates that the isolator provided adequate damping of unwanted vibrations under these conditions.

<FIG> depicts two isolators according to one or more examples of the present disclosure (e.g., the isolator <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> or the isolator <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>) utilized in a petroleum drill well <NUM> to isolate a sensor chassis <NUM> containing one or more sensors from unwanted vibrations and/or shocks. In the illustrated example, the isolators <NUM>, <NUM> are connected to opposite ends of the sensor chassis <NUM>. The isolators <NUM>, <NUM> are configured to attenuate unwanted vibrations from a pressure casing <NUM> rigidly connected to a vibrating drill string <NUM> of the petroleum drill well <NUM>. The isolators <NUM>, <NUM> are configured to allow the sensor chassis <NUM> to translate and/or rotate with the pressure casing <NUM> with a prescribed amount of stiffness and damping such that desired degrees of freedom of motion of the sensor chassis <NUM> are isolated from the vibration of the drill string <NUM> and the pressure casing <NUM> rigidly connected thereto. In one or more examples, the isolators <NUM>, <NUM> of the present disclosure may be utilized to isolate any other component or components from unwanted vibrations (e.g., the isolators <NUM>, <NUM> may be utilized to isolate sensitive electronic payloads, such as sensor suites in missile bodies).

Claim 1:
An isolator (<NUM>, <NUM>) configured to isolate a payload from unwanted vibrations and shocks, the isolator comprising:
a housing (<NUM>) having a first end (<NUM>) and a second end (<NUM>) opposite the first end;
a primary chamber (<NUM>) defined in the housing;
a backpressure chamber (<NUM>) defined in the housing;
a conduit (<NUM>, <NUM>) placing the primary chamber in fluid communication with the backpressure chamber;
a backpressure membrane (<NUM>, <NUM>) in the housing proximate the first end, wherein the backpressure membrane (<NUM>, <NUM>) comprises a resilient material, and wherein deformation of the backpressure membrane (<NUM>, <NUM>) in an axial direction is to generate a restorative force in the backpressure membrane (<NUM>, <NUM>) in an axial direction opposite to the direction in which the backpressure membrane (<NUM>, <NUM>) was deflected and/or deformed;
an elastomer dome (<NUM>, <NUM>) in the housing proximate the second end, wherein the primary chamber and the backpressure chamber are between the backpressure membrane and the elastomer dome, and the elastomer dome is configured to deflect both axially and radially to provide vibration isolation in all translational directions;
a shaft (<NUM>, <NUM>) connected to the elastomer dome, the shaft configured to be connected to the payload,
characterized in that the isolator (<NUM>, <NUM>) further comprises
a lateral bump stop (<NUM>) connected to the second end of the housing, the lateral bump stop extending inward from the housing toward the shaft, being spaced apart from and extending around a portion
of the shaft (<NUM>, <NUM>).