Isolation coupler for a structural assembly and method for attenuating a load

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11725774-B2
Application number	US-202117378902-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 19, 2021
Priority date	Dec 10, 2018
Publication date	Aug 15, 2023
Grant date	Aug 15, 2023

Abstract

An isolation coupler for coupling a functional element to a support structure includes a first bracket. The first bracket includes a number of first-bracket sides. The number of first-bracket sides forms a closed polygonal shape, in plan view. The isolation coupler further includes a number of isolators coupled to each one of the first-bracket sides. The isolation coupler also includes a second bracket. The second bracket includes a number of second-bracket sides. The second bracket sides are coupled to the isolators. The number of second-bracket sides is equal to the number of first-bracket sides and forms the closed polygonal shape, in plan view. The isolators separate each one of the first-bracket sides from a corresponding one of the second-bracket sides to attenuate a load transferred from the first bracket to the second bracket.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A structural assembly for attenuating a load, the structural assembly comprising:
a support structure;
a functional element; and
an isolation coupler that connects the functional element and the support structure, the isolation coupler comprising:
a first bracket comprising a number of first-bracket sides, wherein the number of first-bracket sides forms a closed polygonal shape, in plan view;
a number of isolators coupled to each one of the first-bracket sides; and
a second bracket comprising a number of second-bracket sides coupled to the isolators, wherein the number of second-bracket sides is equal to the number of first-bracket sides and forms the closed polygonal shape, in plan view, and each one of the second-bracket sides comprises a first sidewall and a second sidewall, opposing the first wall,

wherein:
a portion of each one of the first-bracket sides is located between the first sidewall and the second sidewall of a corresponding one of the second-bracket sides; and
each one of the isolators separates one of the first-bracket sides from a corresponding one of the second-bracket sides to attenuate a load transferred from the first bracket to the second bracket.

2. The structural assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first bracket further comprises a number of isolator openings.

3. The structural assembly of claim 2 , wherein each one of the isolator openings extends through one of the first-bracket sides.

4. The structural assembly of claim 2 , wherein each one of the isolators is located in a corresponding one of the isolator openings, between the first sidewall and the second sidewall.

5. The structural assembly of claim 4 , wherein each one of the isolators comprises an isolator body and a peripheral surface.

6. The structural assembly of claim 5 , wherein the peripheral surface of each one of the isolators engages a perimeter surface of a corresponding one of the isolator openings.

7. The structural assembly of claim 6 , wherein each one of the isolators further comprises a central opening extending through the isolator body.

8. The structural assembly of claim 7 , wherein the second bracket further comprises a number of fastener openings, wherein each one of the fastener openings extends through the first sidewall and the second sidewall.

9. The structural assembly of claim 8 , wherein the second bracket further comprises a number of fasteners, wherein each one of the fasteners extends through a corresponding one of the fastener openings and the central opening of a corresponding one of the isolators.

10. The structural assembly of claim 9 , wherein each one of the isolators further comprises a first side, wherein a portion of the first side of each one of the isolators is in contact with the first sidewall of one of the second-bracket sides.

11. The structural assembly of claim 10 , wherein each one of the isolators further comprises a second side opposite the first side, wherein a portion of the second side of each one of the isolators is in contact with the second sidewall of one of the second-bracket sides.

12. The structural assembly of claim 11 , wherein each one of the isolators further comprises a first flange extending from the first side and surrounding the central opening, wherein the first flange of each one of the isolators is in contact with the first sidewall of one of the second-bracket sides.

13. The structural assembly of claim 12 , wherein each one of the isolators further comprises a second flange extending from the second side and surrounding the central opening, wherein the second flange of each one of the isolators is in contact with the second sidewall of one of the second-bracket sides.

14. The structural assembly of claim 1 , wherein the support structure comprises a frame of a vehicle.

15. The structural assembly of claim 14 , wherein the functional element comprises at least one of a camera and an engine.

16. The structural assembly of claim 1 , wherein the number of isolators coupled to at least one of the first-bracket sides is different than the number of isolators coupled to at least another one of the first-bracket sides.

17. The structural assembly of claim 1 , wherein each one of the isolators is annular.

18. A method for attenuating a load from a support structure to a functional element, the method comprising:
coupling a first bracket to one of the support structure or the functional element, the first bracket comprising a number of first-bracket sides, wherein the number of first-bracket sides forms a closed polygonal shape, in plan view;
coupling each one of a number of second-bracket sides of a second bracket to a number of isolators coupled to each one of the first-bracket sides, wherein the number of second-bracket sides is equal to the number of first-bracket sides and forms the closed polygonal shape, in plan view, each one of the second-bracket sides comprises a first sidewall and a second sidewall, opposing the first sidewall, and a portion of each one of the first-bracket sides is located between the first sidewall and the second sidewall of a corresponding one of the second-bracket sides;
coupling the functional element to another one of the first bracket or the second bracket;
applying the load from the support structure to the functional element; and
attenuating the load between the first bracket and the second bracket by transferring the load through the isolators.

19. A structural assembly for attenuating a load, the structural assembly comprising:
a support structure;
a functional element; and
an isolation coupler that connects the functional element and the support structure, the isolation coupler comprising:
a first bracket comprising a number of first-bracket sides and a number of isolator openings, wherein each one of the isolator openings extends through one of the first-bracket sides;
a second bracket comprising a number of second-bracket sides, wherein the number of second-bracket sides is equal to the number of first-bracket sides and each one of the second-bracket sides comprises a first sidewall and a second sidewall, opposing the first sidewall; and
a number of isolators coupled to each one of the first-bracket sides and each one of the second bracket sides,

wherein:
the support structure coupled to one of the first bracket or the second bracket;
the functional element coupled to another one of the first bracket or the second bracket;
a portion of each one of the first-bracket sides is located between the first sidewall and the second sidewall of a corresponding one of the second-bracket sides; and
each one of the isolators separates one of the first-bracket sides from a corresponding one of the second-bracket sides to attenuate a load transferred from the first bracket to the second bracket.

20. The structural assembly of claim 19 , wherein:
each one of the isolators is located in a corresponding one of the isolator openings, between the first sidewall and the second sidewall;
each one of the isolators comprises an isolator body and a peripheral surface; and
the peripheral surface of each one of the isolators engages a perimeter surface of a corresponding one of the isolator openings.

Assignees

• Boeing Co

Inventors

• Aston Richard W
• Langmack Michael John
• Tomzynska Anna M
• Herrmann Matthew
• Woods Emily C

Classifications

• B64G1/413

  Ion or plasma engines · CPC title

• B64G1/40

  Arrangements or adaptations of propulsion systems · CPC title

• B64C1/00

  Fuselages; Constructional features common to fuselages, wings, stabilising surfaces or the like · CPC title

• F16M13/02 Primary

  for supporting on, or attaching to, an object, e.g. tree, gate, window-frame, cycle · CPC title

• F16F1/3732

  having an annular or the like shape, e.g. grommet-type resilient mountings · CPC title