Mounting assemblies and systems including same

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10295009-B2
Application number	US-201415024017-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 10, 2014
Priority date	Oct 10, 2013
Publication date	May 21, 2019
Grant date	May 21, 2019

Abstract

A mounting assembly ( 200 ) includes first and second mounting components ( 108, 112 ) that are displaceable relative to one another. At least one positive-stiffness biasing element ( 236 ) exhibiting a positive-stiffness spring rate is operatively disposed between the first and second mounting components. At least one negative-stiffness biasing ( 288, 290 ) element exhibiting a negative-stiffness spring rate is disposed between the first and second mounting components in parallel with the at least one positive-stiffness biasing element. A combined spring rate of the at least one positive-stiffness biasing element and the at least one negative-stiffness biasing element is less than the positive-stiffness spring rate of the at least one positive-stiffness biasing element alone. The mounting assembly can exhibit a natural frequency that is less than a natural frequency of a mounting assembly having the at least one positive-stiffness biasing element without the at least one negative-stiffness biasing element. Systems including such mounting assemblies are also included.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A mounting assembly dimensioned for operative securement between an associated supporting component and an associated supported component, said mounting assembly comprising:
a first mounting element and a second mounting element displaceable in at least one direction relative to said first mounting element;
at least one positive-stiffness biasing element operatively disposed between said first and second mounting elements and exhibiting a positive-stiffness spring rate, said at least one positive-stiffness biasing element including a gas spring with at least one of said first mounting element and said second mounting element at least partially defining a gas spring chamber disposed in fluid communication between said first and second mounting elements; and,
at least one negative-stiffness biasing element operatively disposed between said first and second mounting elements and exhibiting a negative-stiffness spring rate, said at least one negative-stiffness biasing element including at least one conical disc spring and being operatively disposed in parallel with said at least one positive-stiffness biasing element such that a combined spring rate of said at least one positive-stiffness biasing element and said at least one negative-stiffness biasing element is less than said positive-stiffness spring rate of said at least one positive-stiffness biasing element alone.

2. A mounting assembly according to claim 1 further comprising at least one sealing element disposed between said first and second mounting elements and operative to form a substantially fluid-tight seal therebetween.

3. A mounting assembly according to claim 1 further comprising an elastomeric element operatively disposed between said first and second mounting elements and operative to permit relative displacement therebetween.

4. A mounting assembly according to claim 1 , wherein said at least one negative-stiffness biasing element has an overall stiffness profile that includes both positive-stiffness spring rate and negative-stiffness spring rate areas.

5. A mounting assembly according to claim 1 , wherein said at least one negative-stiffness biasing element includes a plurality of negative-stiffness biasing elements.

6. A mounting assembly according to claim 1 wherein said negative-stiffness biasing element is a first negative-stiffness biasing element, said mounting assembly further comprising a negative-stiffness biasing element assembly including a connecting ring, said first negative-stiffness biasing element disposed between said connecting ring and one of said first and second mounting elements, and a second negative-stiffness biasing element disposed between said connecting ring and the other of said first and second mounting elements.

7. A mounting assembly according to claim 1 , wherein said at least one negative-stiffness biasing element is operatively disposed in parallel with said at least one positive-stiffness biasing element such that said mounting assembly exhibits a natural frequency that is less than a natural frequency of a mounting assembly having said at least one positive-stiffness biasing element without said at least one negative-stiffness biasing element.

8. A mounting assembly according to claim 1 further comprising a first mounting component dimensioned for direct securement to one of the associated supporting component and the associated supported component, said first mounting component dimensioned to at least partially receive and operatively support said first mounting element.

9. A mounting assembly according to any one of claim 8 further comprising a second mounting component dimensioned for direct securement to the other of the associated supporting component and the associated supported component, said second mounting component dimensioned to at least partially receive and operatively support said second mounting element.

10. A mounting assembly according to claim 1 , wherein said first mounting element is a mounting component dimensioned for direct securement to one of the associated supporting component and the associated supported component.

11. A mounting assembly according to claim 10 , wherein said second mounting element is a mounting component dimensioned for direct securement to the other of the associated supporting component and the associated supported component.

12. A mounting assembly dimensioned for operative securement between an associated supporting component and an associated supported component, said mounting assembly comprising:
a first mounting element and a second mounting element displaceable in at least one direction relative to said first mounting element;
at least one positive-stiffness biasing element operatively disposed between said first and second mounting elements and exhibiting a positive-stiffness spring rate; and,
a negative-stiffness biasing element assembly operatively disposed between said first and second mounting elements and exhibiting a negative-stiffness spring rate, said negative-stiffness biasing element assembly including a connecting ring, a first negative-stiffness biasing element disposed between said connecting ring and one of said first and second mounting elements, and a second negative-stiffness biasing element disposed between said connecting ring and the other of said first and second mounting elements with at least one of said first and second negative-stiffness biasing elements operatively disposed in parallel with said at least one positive-stiffness biasing element such that said mounting assembly exhibits a natural frequency that is less than a natural frequency of a mounting assembly having said at least one positive-stiffness biasing element without said first and second negative-stiffness biasing elements.

13. A mounting assembly according to claim 12 , wherein said at least one positive-stiffness biasing element includes at least one of a gas spring and an elastomeric spring element operatively between said first and second mounting elements.

14. A mounting assembly according to claim 13 , wherein said at least one positive-stiffness biasing element is said gas spring, and at least one of said first mounting element and said second mounting element at least partially defines a gas spring chamber disposed in fluid communication between said first and second mounting elements.

15. A mounting assembly according to claim 14 further comprising at least one sealing element disposed between said first and second mounting elements and operative to form a substantially fluid-tight seal therebetween.

16. A mounting assembly according to claim 12 , wherein at least one of said first and second negative-stiffness biasing elements has an overall stiffness profile that includes both positive-stiffness spring rate and negative-stiffness spring rate areas.

17. A mounting assembly dimensioned for operative securement between an associated supporting component and an associated supported component, said mounting assembly comprising:
a first mounting element and a second mounting element displaceable in at least one direction relative to said first mounting element;
a restraining strap operatively connected between said first and second mounting elements;
at least one positive-stiffness biasing element operatively disposed between said first and second mounting elements and exhibiting a positive-stiffness spring rate; and,
at least one negative-stiffness biasing element operatively disposed between said first and second mounting elements and exhibiting a negative-stiffness spring rate, said at least one neg

Assignees

• Firestone Ind Products Co Llc

Inventors

• Leonard Joshua R
• Moulik Pradipta N

Classifications

• F16F13/002 Primary

  comprising at least one fluid spring (F16F13/005, F16F13/02, F16F13/04 take precedence) · CPC title

• F16F3/10

  combined with springs made of steel or other material having low internal friction · CPC title

• F16F2228/063

  Negative stiffness · CPC title

• F16F13/20 Primary

  characterised by comprising also a pneumatic spring (F16F13/22, {F16F13/26} take precedence) · CPC title