21/3/2011 How vibration isolation works

HOW VIBRATION ISOLATION WORKS

Simple Isolation System

For analysis it is customary to idealize

structures, objects and isolation systems as simple mass-spring-damper systems as shown in
Figure 42.1. The mass m is infinitely rigid. The spring is weightless and its stiffness is K lbs/in.
The damper, or dashpot, is weightless and its damping coefficient is c lbs/in./sec.

Natural Frequency

All objects vibrate when subjected to impact, noise or vibration. When the stimulation is
removed, the object will experience periodic sinusoidal oscillations or free vibration at a
frequency which is called its Natural Frequency f n in (Hz cycles/sec). With little or no
damping, the Natural Frequency of a simple system such as Figure 42.1 is defined as follows:

f n = 3.13 (K/W) 1/2 (1)

Where mass m = W/g, and

g = acceleration of gravity = 386 in/sec 2

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Damping

In a simple system, Damping serves as an

energy dissipation “dashpot” to limit the magnification of system response. Actual Damping c is
conveniently referenced to
Critical Damping c c which is the value of damping at which a system will not oscillate when
disturbed from equilibrium. Critical Damping is related to the system mass and natural frequency,
as follows:

c c = 78.96 (mf n 2 ) (2)

Forced Vibration, Transmissibility and Resonance

If the simple system in Figure 42.1 is subjected to Forced Vibration at frequency f , and
sinusoidal foundation motion at amplitude x , the absolute value of the mass response amplitude
y expressed as a ratio |y/x| , also known as Transmissibility T , will be as follows:

(3)

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21/3/2011 How vibration isolation works
Figure 42.2 is plotted as a function of forcing frequency ratio f/f n and critical damping ratio c/c c
. If external vibration is applied at a frequency which coincides with the Natural Frequency; i.e.,
(f/f n )= 1 , a condition of Resonance occurs. At resonance the system will experience very
large potentially damaging magnification of the disturbing forces.

The maximum Transmissibility T max at resonance is commonly referred to as the Q of the

system and is approximately related to Critical Damping, as follows:

T max = Q = 1/2 c c (4)

Dashpot or damping force is proportional to velocity. The forces due to high damping are
desirable at resonance to oppose damaging magnification, but less desirable at high frequencies
because this tends to negate vibration attenuation. This is evident in Equation (3).

Isolation Efficiency

Isolation Efficiency E in percent transmission is related to Transmissibility as:

E = 100 (1-T)% (5)

and is the percentage of the vibration isolated from the payload. It should be observed in
Equation (3) and Figure 42.2, that in order to achieve the best isolation efficiency the isolator’s
natural frequency should be very low. This is the basic philosophy of VIBRAPLANE Isolation.

Center of Gravity (cg)

The Center of Gravity is the point in an object where an external applied force produces
displacement but no rotation. Typically the center of gravity will be located near the largest
concentration of mass in the object and may be located by computation or experimental means.
Equipment cg height and geometry are very important for considerations of stability and rocking
when using soft supports to achieve vibration isolation. For best stable results, KSI recommends
the cg height should not exceed 25% of the shortest span between supports.

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21/3/2011 How vibration isolation works
Air Spring Stiffness and Natural Frequency

VIBRAPLANE isolation systems utilize the properties of compressed air to provide the uniquely
low stiffness properties essential for the high efficiency broad frequency band isolation essential
for high technology equipment. The Air Spring Stiffness K in lbs/in. is a function of absolute
pressure P in psi, area A in sq. in., and volume V in cu. in., as follows:

K = PA 2 / V (6)

Combining Equations (1) and (6), the simple Air System Natural Frequency is:

f A = 3.13 (A / V) 1/2 (7)

It is basic to note in Equation (7) that increasing the air volume of the air spring results in a lower
system natural frequency which is necessary for high isolation efficiently.

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