Damper for absorbing shock generated upon docking a moving structure with a stationary structure or foundation

A damper for absorbing impact shock generated upon docking a moving structure with a stationary structure or foundation, the damper comprising:

• a cylinder (1) connectable to the moving structure, the cylinder arranged with a barrel, a cap end and a head end,
• a piston arrangement (2) movable in the barrel, the piston defining a cylinder cap volume (13) in the cap end of the cylinder which varies with the position of the piston in extension and compression,
• a check valve (14) arranged in the cap end of the cylinder, the check valve in open state permitting flow into the cylinder cap volume (13) as the piston rod is extended out of the cylinder,
• a pressure relief valve (15) in the cap end of the cylinder adjustable to open upon exceeding of a predetermined internal pressure in the cylinder cap volume, in open state permitting restricted flow from the cylinder cap volume,
• an orifice (16;
• 23) of static size in the cap end of the cylinder, wherein under constant load from the piston during a terminal stroke length of the damper in compression, the orifice provides a restricted flow from the cylinder cap volume generating a constant pressure in the cylinder cap volume below the opening pressure of the pressure relief valve.