# US 10,479,493 B2 · Damper device and an aircraft > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,479,493 B2 - Document ID: US10479493B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/231,430 - Filed: 2016-08-08 - Published: 2017-02-16 - Granted: 2019-11-19 - Earliest claimed: 2015-08-14 - Assignees: Airbus Helicopters - Applicants: Airbus Helicopters - Inventors: Damien Sequera; Jean-Pierre Jalaguier; Wojciech Gregorczyk - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10479493B2 ## CPC - B64C 27/635: specially for controlling lag-lead movements of blades - B64C 27/51: Damping of blade movements - B64C 27/64: using fluid pressure, e.g. having fluid power amplification - B64D 45/00: Aircraft indicators or protectors not otherwise provided for - F16F 13/06: the damper being a fluid damper, e.g. the plastics spring not forming a part of the wall of the fluid chamber of the damper (F16F13/26 takes precedence) - B64C: AEROPLANES; HELICOPTERS - B64D: EQUIPMENT FOR FITTING IN OR TO AIRCRAFT; FLIGHT SUITS; PARACHUTES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF POWER PLANTS OR PROPULSION TRANSMISSIONS IN AIRCRAFT - F16F: SPRINGS; SHOCK-ABSORBERS; MEANS FOR DAMPING VIBRATION ## Abstract A damper device provided with a first connection member, a second connection member, a resilient member, and a hydraulic system. The hydraulic system includes an outer casing and a rod, the first connection member being fastened in reversible manner to the outer casing, the resilient member being arranged around a projecting portion of the rod, the resilient member comprising at least one resilient means interposed between a first strength member and a second strength member, the first strength member being fastened in reversible manner to the outer casing, the second strength member being constrained to move in translation with the projecting portion, and the connection member being fastened in reversible manner to the projecting portion. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A damper device provided with a first connection member and with a second connection member that are suitable for connecting the damper device respectively to a first mechanical member and to a second mechanical member, the damper device including a resilient member and a hydraulic system that are interposed between the first connection member and the second connection member, wherein the hydraulic system includes a sealed outer casing containing a hydraulic fluid, the hydraulic fluid being contained solely in the hydraulic system, the hydraulic system including a rod movable in translation relative to the outer casing, the rod extending longitudinally from a first end to a second end along a longitudinal axis, the rod having a projecting portion that projects longitudinally from the outer casing, the first connection member being fastened in reversible manner to the outer casing in order to be constrained to move in translation with the outer casing, the resilient member being arranged around the projecting portion of the rod, the resilient member including at least one resilient means interposed between a first strength member and a second strength member, the resilient member and the hydraulic system being two distinct modules, the first strength member being fastened in reversible manner to the outer casing in order to be constrained to move in translation with the outer casing, the second strength member being constrained to move in translation with the projecting portion, the second resilient member being fastened in reversible manner to the projecting portion. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The damper device according to claim 1, wherein the hydraulic system includes a piston longitudinally defining two hydraulic chambers within an internal space arranged in the outer casing. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The damper device according to claim 2, wherein the hydraulic system has a compensation chamber associated with the hydraulic chambers, the compensation chamber being defined by a plug that is movable in translation and that co-operates with a resilient system. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The damper device according to claim 3, wherein the compensation chamber and the plug are housed within the rod, each hydraulic chamber being in fluid flow communication with a compensation volume via a passage formed in the rod, the compensation volume being separated from the compensation chamber by the plug. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The damper device according to claim 3, wherein the compensation chamber and the plug are housed in a portion of the outer casing arranged in an internal cavity of the first connection member. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) The damper device according to claim 2, wherein the hydraulic chambers are of identical section, each section representing a cross-section of a hydraulic chamber in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. ### Claim 7 (depends on 2) The damper device according to claim 2, wherein the hydraulic chambers are in hydraulic communication with two limiter valves, one limiter valve being referred to as the “compression” limiter valve and one limiter valve being referred to as the “traction” limiter valve, the limiter valves throttling the hydraulic fluid passing from one hydraulic chamber to the other hydraulic chamber from a determined amplitude of movement of the piston. ### Claim 8 (depends on 2) The damper device according to claim 2, wherein at least one calibrated orifice is provided through the piston for throttling the hydraulic fluid from one hydraulic chamber to the other hydraulic chamber when the piston moves. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The damper device according to claim 1, wherein the second strength member has a projection disposed between a longitudinal abutment of the rod and a longitudinal end of the second connection member. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The damper device according to claim 9, wherein a member movable in turning is arranged between the radial projection and the rod in order to allow the rod to turn relative to the resilient member about the longitudinal axis. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The damper device according to claim 1, wherein the rod including the projecting portion projects longitudinally from a first side of the outer casing, and the damper device includes a closed first space through which the projecting portion passes and arranged between the outer casing and the resilient member, the first space being hydraulically isolated from the hydraulic system in the absence of leakage from the hydraulic system. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The damper device according to claim 1, wherein the damper device includes a monitoring system for evaluating the quantity of hydraulic fluid present in the outer casing, the hydraulic fluid is contained solely in the outer casing, and the resilient member is spaced from the sealed outer casing. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The damper device according to claim 1, wherein the first strength member carries fins extending radially. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The damper device according to claim 1, wherein the resilient means comprise at least one spring. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The damper device according to claim 1, wherein the resilient means comprise at least one ring provided with resilient material selected from the group comprising elastomers. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The damper device according to claim 1, wherein the second connection member includes a nut screwed onto the rod. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The damper device according to claim 1, wherein the second connection member includes a thread cooperating with a thread of the projecting portion, the rod having a turn-preventing orifice suitable for co-operating with a tool for preventing the rod from turning about the longitudinal axis. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) An aircraft, wherein the aircraft includes at least one damper device according to claim 1. ### Claim 19 A damper device provided with a first connection member and with a second connection member that are suitable for connecting the damper device respectively to a first mechanical member and to a second mechanical member, the damper device including a resilient member and a hydraulic system that are interposed between the first connection member and the second connection member, wherein the hydraulic system includes a sealed outer casing containing a hydraulic fluid, the hydraulic fluid being contained solely in the hydraulic system, the hydraulic system including a rod movable in translation relative to the outer casing, the rod extending longitudinally from a first end to a second end along a longitudinal axis, the rod having a projecting portion that projects longitudinally from the outer casing, the first connection member being fastened in reversible manner to the outer casing in order to be constrained to move in translation with the outer casing, the resilient member being arranged around the projecting portion of the rod, the resilient member including at least one resilient means interposed between a first strength member and a second strength member, the resilient member and the hydraulic system being two distinct modules, the first strength member being fastened in reversible manner to the outer casing in order to be constrained to move in translation with the outer casing, the second strength member being constrained to move in translation with the projecting portion, the resilient member being fastened in reversible manner to the projecting portion; wherein the second strength member has a radial projection that is held longitudinally between a longitudinal abutment of the rod and a longitudinal end of the second connection member. ### Claim 20 A damper device provided with a first connection member and with a second connection member that are suitable for connecting the damper device respectively to a first mechanical member and to a second mechanical member, the damper device including a resilient member and a hydraulic system that are interposed between the first connection member and the second connection member, wherein the hydraulic system includes a sealed outer casing containing a hydraulic fluid, the hydraulic fluid being contained solely in the hydraulic system, the hydraulic system including a rod movable in translation relative to the outer casing, the rod extending longitudinally from a first end to a second end along a longitudinal axis, the rod having a projecting portion that projects longitudinally from the outer casing, the first connection member being fastened in reversible manner to the outer casing in order to be constrained to move in translation with the outer casing, the resilient member being arranged around the projecting portion of the rod, the resilient member including at least one resilient means interposed between a first strength member and a second strength member, the resilient member and the hydraulic system being two distinct modules, the first strength member being fastened in reversible manner to the outer casing in order to be constrained to move in translation with the outer casing, the second strength member being constrained to move in translation with the projecting portion, the resilient member being fastened in reversible manner to the projecting portion; wherein the hydraulic system includes a piston longitudinally defining two hydraulic chambers within an internal space arranged in the outer casing; wherein the hydraulic system has a compensation chamber associated with the hydraulic chambers, the compensation chamber being defined by a plug that is movable in translation and that co-operates with a resilient system; and wherein the compensation chamber and the plug are housed within the rod, each hydraulic chamber being in fluid flow communication with a compensation volume via a passage formed in the rod, the compensation volume being separated from the compensation chamber by the plug.