Axially damped hydraulic mount assembly

Abstract

An example mount assembly includes a first chamber, at least partially defined by a first elastomeric element and a second chamber, at least partially defined by a second elastomeric element. The assembly also includes an inertia track having a central opening defining an axis. The inertia track defines a serpentine passage in fluid communication with the first chamber and the second chamber. The inertia track is moveable along the axis relative to the first elastomeric element and the second elastomeric element.

1 . A mount assembly comprising:
 a first chamber, at least partially defined by a first elastomeric element;   a second chamber, at least partially defined by a second elastomeric element; and   an inertia track including a central opening defining an axis, the inertia track defining a serpentine passage in fluid communication with the first chamber and the second chamber, wherein the inertia track is moveable along the axis relative to the first elastomeric element and the second elastomeric element.   
     
     
         2 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the inertia track is located between the first chamber and the second chamber. 
     
     
         3 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the serpentine passage includes a first opening to the first chamber that is axially offset from a second opening to the second chamber. 
     
     
         4 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first elastomeric element and the second elastomeric element are made of equivalent compositions of material. 
     
     
         5 . The mount assembly of  claim 1 , wherein a third elastomeric element is located between a housing and the inertia track and separates the first chamber and the second chamber. 
     
     
         6 . The mount assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the inertia track is moveable such that the inertia track actuates fluid between the first chamber and the second chamber and moves relative to a housing, wherein the housing is radially outward of the central opening. 
     
     
         7 . The mount assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the inertia track includes a first distinct track piece that includes a first portion of the serpentine passage and a second distinct track piece that includes a second portion of the serpentine passage, wherein the first distinct piece and the second distinct piece are attached together such that the first portion and the second portion align to form the serpentine passage. 
     
     
         8 . The mount assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the first distinct track piece and the second distinct track piece are metal. 
     
     
         9 . A mount assembly comprising:
 a first chamber, at least partially defined by a first elastomeric element;   a second chamber, at least partially defined by a second elastomeric element;   an inertia track including a central opening defining an axis and defining at least one passage in fluid communication with the first chamber and the second chamber, wherein the inertia track is moveable along the axis relative to the first elastomeric element and the second elastomeric element; and   a hollow tube that seals against an axial end of the inertia track on a second chamber side.   
     
     
         10 . The assembly of  claim 9 , further comprising a shaft that defines a shoulder that abuts the inertia track. 
     
     
         11 . The assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the shaft seals the first chamber from an inner radial region of the opening. 
     
     
         12 . The assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the shaft is hollow and extends through the first chamber. 
     
     
         13 . The assembly of  claim 10 , wherein movement of the inertia track is responsive to movement of the shaft. 
     
     
         14 . The assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one passage is a serpentine passage. 
     
     
         15 . A mount assembly:
 a first chamber, at least partially defined by a first elastomeric element;   a second chamber, at least partially defined by a second elastomeric element;   an inertia track including a central opening defining an axis and defining at least one passage in fluid communication with the first chamber and the second chamber, wherein the inertia track is moveable along the axis between the first chamber and the second chamber;   a shaft defining a shoulder that abuts a first axial end of the inertia track; and   a hollow tube that seals against a second axial end of the inertia track.   
     
     
         16 . The assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the shaft seals the first chamber from the opening. 
     
     
         17 . The assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the shaft is hollow and extends through the first chamber. 
     
     
         18 . The assembly of  claim 15 , wherein movement of the inertia track is responsive to movement of the shaft. 
     
     
         19 . The assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the shoulder is generally perpendicular to the axis. 
     
     
         20 . The assembly of  claim 19 , wherein a portion of the inertia track abutting the shoulder is generally perpendicular to the axis. 
     
     
         21 . The assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the tube overlaps a portion of the shaft. 
     
     
         22 . The assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the second elastomeric element seals the hollow tube against the second axial end of the inertia track. 
     
     
         23 . The assembly of  claim 15 , further comprising a third elastomeric element is located between a housing and the inertia track and separates the first chamber and the second chamber.