A tunable three-chamber pneumatic vibration isolator: Performance analysis and experimental verification

Effective vibration isolation is crucial for maintaining the performance and longevity of sensitive equipment, particularly in environments with low-frequency disturbances. However, traditional pneumatic springs often exhibit limitations in providing effective vibration isolation under variable operating conditions, such as varying load mass and overload-induced accelerations. To address these limitations, a novel three-chamber pneumatic isolator (TPVI) is proposed. The TPVI features a three-chamber parallel topology that enables decoupled adjustment of stiffness from the static equilibrium position, allowing it to adapt to load variations. Analytical models for the static stiffness and dynamic response of the TPVI were developed and validated through experiments conducted on a physical prototype. Based on this validated model, a comprehensive parametric analysis was performed to establish a design procedure for the TPVI under variable operating conditions. Numerical simulations predict that the TPVI can achieve substantially enhanced low-frequency vibration isolation, particularly in maintaining stable performance under variable operating conditions. This study therefore offers a validated framework for a novel pneumatic vibration isolator, demonstrating a flexible approach for protecting sensitive equipment in dynamic operating environments.