Vibration isolator

A vibration isolator is a spring or elastomeric element fitted between a machine and its foundation to lower the structure-borne vibration transmitted into the ship, working by placing its natural frequency well below the machine’s lowest forcing frequency so the foundation sees a fraction of the dynamic force. Steel coil springs, rubber-in-shear mounts, and combined spring-plus-damper units are used under generator sets, compressors, pumps, and HVAC plant. Effective isolation needs the static deflection to suit the disturbing frequency, a mount soft enough to isolate but stiff enough to limit roll and pitch movement, and flexible connections in every pipe and cable to the isolated machine. It overlaps with the resilient-mount term.