US Patent 7665708 Vibration isolation mount and method

The present invention provides an apparatus and method for vibration isolation. The invention may be conceptualized as a vibration isolation mount. The vibration isolation mount mounts a first member to a second member for reducing the transmission of vibrations from the first member to the second member. The vibration isolation mount comprises a first mounting means for mounting to the first member, and a second mounting means for mounting to the second member. A spring means is arranged between the first and second mounting means, wherein said spring means is coupled to the first mounting means and provides a spring force between said first and second mounting means. The invention may also be conceptualized as a vibration isolation method. The method controls vibrations transmitted from a first member to a second member when the second member is mounted on the first member using a spring arrangement. The spring arrangement provides a delay in transmission of an impulse between the first and second members. The method comprising the steps of (1) sensing vibrations in a first member; (2) applying a force on a second member in response to the sensed vibrations to reduce vibrations in the second member; and (3) wherein the spring arrangement provides a delay equal to or greater than a delay in the provision of said force in response to the vibrations in said first member.