Performance of a launch isolator: Theoretical and experimental study

Abstract A piecewise linear vibration isolator used to isolate the rocket launch vibration is proposed and investigated in this paper. The dynamic characteristics of the piecewise linear vibration isolator are analyzed theoretically and experimentally. Assuming base excitation from the rocket, the dynamic equation is established and the response is solved by using averaging method. The influence of the system parameters such as stiffness ratio and clearance distance on the system performance is discussed. The jumping phenomenon and frequency shift are observed. The vibration isolation performance of the isolator is tested by using vibration table to simulate the launch vibration loads according to certain criterion. The theoretical and experimental results are compared and are in good accordance. The results show that the piecewise linear vibration isolation system can lower the response for large amplitude vibration excitation at launch. The results present here can be a useful guideline when design such kind of vibration isolator.