Regressive hydraulic damper
OwnerBill J. Gartnerinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A damper of shock and vibration. In one embodiment there is a hydraulic damper with a regressive damping characteristic in both compression and extension, such that damping forces decrease with increased stroking velocity within a predetermined range of stroking velocity. Outside of this range, damping forces are progressive, such that the damping force increases with increased stroking velocity. In another embodiment, there is a hydraulic damper with a second, slidable piston within one of the internal chambers defined by the main piston. This secondary piston is spring loaded and hydraulically latchable at either a first position or a second position based on the pressure differential across the main piston.
Claims20
A hydraulic damper, comprising:
- a first housing defining a cavity for hydraulic fluid;
- a first piston slidable within the cavity and dividing the cavity into a first volume and a second volume;
- a rod extending from the cavity, said first piston being attached to said rod, said rod including an internal passageway for flow of hydraulic fluid between said first volume and said second volume;
- a second housing in fluid communication with the first volume and attached to said rod, said second housing including an internal chamber and a second piston slidable within the chamber between a first position and a second position;
- wherein in the first position there is a first flow path for the flow of hydraulic fluid from the first volume through the internal passageway and into the second volume, in the second position there is a second flow path for the flow of hydraulic fluid from the first volume through the internal passageway and into the second volume, and the first flow path is more restrictive than the second flow path.
A hydraulic damper, comprising:
- a first housing defining a cavity for hydraulic fluid;
- a first piston slidable within the cavity and dividing the cavity into a first volume and a second volume;
- a rod extending from the cavity, said first piston being attached to said rod, said rod including an internal passageway for flow of hydraulic fluid between said first volume and said second volume;
- a second housing in fluid communication with the first volume and attached to said rod, said second housing including an internal chamber and a second piston slidable within the chamber between a first position and a second position, said second piston providing a flow path for the flow of hydraulic fluid from the first volume through the internal passageway and into the second volume in the second position, said second piston having a surface area;
- and
- a spring biasing said second piston toward the first position;
- wherein in the first position a portion of the surface area is exposed to pressure in the first volume and the remainder of the surface area is not exposed to pressure in the first volume, the portion coacting with pressure above a predetermined value in the first volume to move said second piston toward the second position.
An apparatus for a hydraulic damper having a rod with an internal flowpath for hydraulic fluid and a threaded end, comprising:
- a housing including a first part coupled to a second part and defining an internal chamber therebetween, said housing being adapted and configured for threadably coupling to the rod;
- a piston slidable within the internal chamber, said piston including an aperture adapted and configured to be in flow communication with the internal flowpath;
- and
- a spring biasing said piston toward one end of the chamber.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.