Damping apparatus
AssigneeStabilus GmbH
InventorsJames T. Kull, Patrick A. Hartman, Rodney Armstrong, Edward William Twist
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A damping apparatus can be self-centering and include one or more pre-compressed and preloaded mechanical springs. A solar tracking apparatus can include a solar panel mounted on a rotating shaft, and a self-centering damping apparatus operatively connected to the rotating shaft to compensate for torque created when the solar panel is rotated at an angle to horizontal. A steering assembly for a zero-turn riding lawn mower can include a pair of steering levers and a self-centering damping apparatus operatively connected to the steering levers.
Claims20
A damping apparatus comprising:
- (a) a housing defining an interior, the housing having an interior surface and an exterior surface, and a first end and a second end opposite the first end;
- (b) a rod partially positioned within the interior of the housing, the housing having an opening at the first end for receiving the rod therethrough, the rod moveable between an extended position and a compressed position;
- and
- (c) a mechanical spring operatively connected to the rod and contained within the interior of the housing, wherein the mechanical spring applies force to an outer surface of the rod and the interior surface of the housing.
A damping apparatus comprising:
- (a) a housing defining an interior, the housing having an interior surface and an exterior surface, and a first end and a second end opposite the first end;
- (b) a rod partially positioned within the interior of the housing and connected to the housing, the housing having an opening at the first end for receiving the rod therethrough, the rod moveable between an extended position and a compressed position;
- (c) a tube assembly containing the rod and the housing;
- and
- (d) a spring assembly operatively connected to the exterior surface of the housing, wherein the spring assembly applies force to the exterior surface of the housing.
A solar tracking apparatus comprising:
- (a) a solar panel adapted to absorb solar energy for generating electricity or heat;
- (b) a rotating shaft operatively connected to the solar panel to rotate the solar panel toward a solar energy source;
- and
- (c) a self-centering damping apparatus operatively connected to the rotating shaft, wherein the self-centering damping apparatus compensates for torque induced in the rotating shaft when the rotating shaft rotates the solar panel at an angle to horizontal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.