Vibration isolator and systems including same

Abstract

Vibration isolators can be dimensioned for securement between a rotational motion source and a rotational motion target. The vibration isolators can include a first end member and a second end member supported in substantially-fixed axial position but axially-rotatable relative to the first end member. An intermediate member can be disposed between and operatively engaging the first and second end members. A rotational motion-to-axial motion conversion system is operatively disposed between the intermediate member and the first end member such that rotation of the intermediate member and the second end member generates axial displacement of the intermediate member relative to the first and second end members. A biasing element can be operatively disposed between the intermediate member and one or more of the first and second end members to bias the intermediate member in an axial direction. Rotary power transmissions or system are also included.

1 . A vibration isolator dimensioned for securement between an associated rotational motion source and an associated rotational motion target, said vibration isolator comprising:
 a first end member having a longitudinal axis and a second end member operatively connected to said first end member, said first and second end members support in a substantially-fixed axial position and axially-rotatable relative to one another;   an intermediate member disposed between and operatively engaging said first and second end members, said intermediate member supported on one of said first end member and said second end member, said intermediate member axially displaceable relative to said first and second end members, said intermediate member operatively connected in a substantially-fixed rotational orientation relative to one of said first end member and said second end member such that said intermediate member and said one of said first and second end members can co-rotate relative to the other of said first and second end members;   a cam and follower system operatively disposed between said intermediate member and the other of said first and second end members such that rotation of said intermediate member and the one of said first and second end members generates axial displacement of said intermediate member relative to said first and second end members; and,   at least one biasing element operatively disposed between said intermediate member and one or more of said first end member and said second end member to bias said intermediate member in an axial direction toward the other of said first and second end members.   
     
     
         2 . A vibration isolator according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least one biasing element includes at least one of a metal coil spring, a metal leaf spring, a metal conical disc spring, a metal torsional spring and a polymeric spring body at least partially formed from a quantity of elastomeric material. 
     
     
         3 . A vibration isolator according to  claim 2 , wherein said polymeric spring body includes a spring chamber containing a quantity of pressurized gas. 
     
     
         4 . A vibration isolator according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least one biasing element is operatively connected between said intermediate member and said one of said first and second end members. 
     
     
         5 . A vibration isolator according to  claim 4 , wherein said intermediate member includes an inner side wall portion that at least partially defines a recess extending into said intermediate member with said at least one biasing element at least partially disposed within said recess. 
     
     
         6 . A vibration isolator according to  claim 1 , wherein said intermediate member includes an outer side wall portion, and said cam and follower system includes at least one cam surface having a non-linear cross-sectional profile formed along said outer side wall portion. 
     
     
         7 . A vibration isolator according to  claim 6 , wherein said at least one cam surface includes a root surface portion having an approximately planar profile segment and corresponding to a neutral rotational orientation in which said intermediate member and said one of said first and second end members are disposed in approximate alignment with the other of said first and second end members. 
     
     
         8 . A vibration isolator according to  claim 6 , wherein said at least one cam surface includes a first inclined surface portion extending in a first circumferential direction from along said root surface portion and projecting axially from along said approximately planar profile segment of said root surface portion, said first inclined surface portion corresponding to a first rotational orientation in which said intermediate member and said one of said first and second end members is rotationally displaced through a non-zero included angle relative to the other of said first and second end members. 
     
     
         9 . A vibration isolator according to  claim 8 , wherein said at least one cam surface includes a second inclined surface portion extending in a second circumferential direction opposite said first circumferential direction from along said root surface portion and projection axially from along said approximately planar segment of said root surface portion, said second inclined surface portion corresponding to a second rotational orientation in which said intermediate member and said one of said first and second end members is rotationally displaced through a non-zero included angle relative to the other of said first and second end members in a direction opposite said first rotational orientation. 
     
     
         10 . A vibration isolator according to  claim 6 , wherein said cam and follower system includes at least one recess extending into said outer side wall portion of said intermediate member, said at least one recess being at least partially defined a first side surface, a second side surface spaced circumferentially from said first side surface and a first cam surface of said at least one cam surface extending circumferentially between said first and second side surfaces. 
     
     
         11 . A vibration isolator according to  claim 10 , wherein said first and second side surfaces extend in an approximately axial direction along said outer side wall portion such that said first and second side surfaces can substantially inhibit rotational displacement of the other of said first and second end members relative to said intermediate member and said one of said first and second end members. 
     
     
         12 . A vibration isolator according to  claim 1 , wherein said cam and follower system includes at least one cam follower disposed along the other of said first and second end members, said at least one cam follower dimensioned to operatively engage a corresponding cam surface having a non-linear cross-sectional profile formed along said intermediate member for displacement along said cam surface during relative rotation between said intermediate member and said one of said first and second end members relative to the other of said first and second end members. 
     
     
         13 . A vibration isolator according to  claim 12 , wherein said at least one cam follower includes a roller element supported along the other of said first and second end members. 
     
     
         14 . A vibration isolator according to  claim 1 , wherein said cam and follower system includes a plurality of cam surfaces disposed in circumferentially spaced relation to one another about said axis along said intermediate member and a plurality of cam followers disposed in circumferentially spaced relation to one another about said axis along the other of said first and second end members, said plurality of cam surfaces including a non-linear cross-sectional profile, and said plurality of cam followers dimensioned to operatively engage a corresponding one of said plurality of cam surfaces. 
     
     
         15 . A vibration isolator according to  claim 1 , wherein said first and second end members each include at least one securement feature formed therealong for operatively connecting said first and second end members to a corresponding one of the associated rotational motion source and the associated rotational motion target. 
     
     
         16 . A vibration isolator according to  claim 1  further comprising a bearing element operatively disposed between said first and second end members. 
     
     
         17 . A vibration isolator according to  claim 1 , wherein said intermediate member includes a plurality of surface portions configured to form a first non-circular cross-sectional shape, and said one of said first and second end members includes a plurality of surface portions configured to form a second non-circular cross-sectional shape dimensioned to cooperatively engage said first non-circular cross-sectional shape such that said intermediate member and said one of said first and second end members can be retained in rotationally-fixed relation to one another while remaining axially displaceable relative to one another. 
     
     
         18 . A vibration isolator dimensioned for securement between an associated rotational motion source and an associated rotational motion target with at least one of the associated rotational motion source and the associated rotational motion target being rotatable at an angular speed having a corresponding frequency of vibration, said vibration isolator comprising:
 a first end member having a longitudinal axis and a second end member operatively connected to said first end member, said second end member supported in a substantially-fixed axial position relative to said first end member while remaining rotatable relative to said first end member;   an intermediate member disposed between and operatively engaging said first and second end members, said intermediate member supported on one of said first end member and said second end member and axially displaceable relative to said first and second end members, said intermediate member operatively connected in a substantially fixed rotational orientation relative to said second end member such that said intermediate member and said second end member can co-rotate relative to said first end member;   a system operatively disposed between said intermediate member and said first end member to convert rotation of said intermediate member and said second end member relative to said first end member into axial displacement of said intermediate member relative to said first and second end members; and,   one or more biasing elements operatively disposed between said intermediate member and at least one of said first end member and said second end member to bias said intermediate member in an axial direction toward said first end member, said one or more biasing elements having a spring rate suitable for isolating at least one harmonic of said corresponding frequency of vibration.   
     
     
         19 . A rotary power transmission comprising:
 a rotational motion source and a rotational motion target capable of rotation at an angular speed having a corresponding frequency of vibration; and,   a vibration isolator according to  claim 1  operatively connected between said rotational motion source and said rotational motion target with said vibration isolator operative to isolate at least one harmonic of said corresponding frequency of vibration.   
     
     
         20 . A rotary power transmission according to  claim 19  further comprising a pressurized gas system operative associated with said vibration isolator.