Dual-rate surface effect dampers
First Claim
1. A dual-rate surface effect damper producing a damping force having a hysteretic component and a friction component, said damper comprising:
- a) a housing;
b) a rubbing member mounted for relative movement with respect to said housing;
c) a first elastomeric liner section having a first length with a first substantially uniform inner diameter for engagement by said rubbing member to produce a first surface effect damping force;
d) a second elastomeric liner section having a second length with a second smaller substantially uniform inner diameter for engagement by said rubbing member to produce a second larger surface effect damping force.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A dual-rate surface effect damper with extended useful life. The dual rate is provided by two cylindrical liners which have different inner diameters which engage a damping piston having protrusions which have an interference fit with the liner. Features which extended life include heat dissipative elements such as internal and external fins, a convective heat transfer path for cooling air through the piston and a lubricant of MoS2 dispersed in a Teflon®-filled flurosilicone. Maintaining the temperature of the elastomer below about 200° F. (93.3° C.) is critical to avoiding thermal breakdown. In addition, the elastomer and metallic surfaces can undergo a surface treatment to reduce their tendency to abraid and to cause abrasion, respectively.
54 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A dual-rate surface effect damper producing a damping force having a hysteretic component and a friction component, said damper comprising:
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a) a housing; b) a rubbing member mounted for relative movement with respect to said housing; c) a first elastomeric liner section having a first length with a first substantially uniform inner diameter for engagement by said rubbing member to produce a first surface effect damping force; d) a second elastomeric liner section having a second length with a second smaller substantially uniform inner diameter for engagement by said rubbing member to produce a second larger surface effect damping force. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A process for increasing the wearlife of an elastomeric damper element in a damper assembly, wherein said elastomeric element is subject to abrasion by a rubbing member, said process comprising:
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a) equipping some portion of said damper assembly with heat dissipative elements; b) surface treating said rubbing member to decrease its tendency to abraid said elastomeric damper element; c) lubricating a surface portion of said damper element with a silicone grease, in which is dispersed a small amount of molybdenum disulfide, in order to effectively control any heat buildup in said damper assembly and maintain a temperature of said elastomeric damper element below a particular critical temperature above which thermal breakdown of said elastomeric damping element occurs. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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Specification