Bi-directional damping system

US11041539B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• United States of America as represented by the Administrator of NASA · US

Inventors

• W. Neill Myers · Huntsville, US
• Robert E. Berry · Marion, US
• Frederick Scott Gant · Huntsville, US
• Jeffrey L. Lindner · Madison, US
• John S. Townsend · Union Grove, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 5, 2020
• Grant date: Jun 22, 2021
• Expiry date: Oct 5, 2040

Classification

• Technology area (CPC F): Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
• CPC primary: F16F2232/08
• WIPO field: Mechanical elements
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A bi-directional damping system generates damping forces in two opposing directions. A shaft has a plurality of bi-directional damping modules fixedly coupled thereto. Each module includes a fluid-filled variable-volume first chamber including at least one port through which fluid can flow based on changes in volume of the first chamber, and a fluid-filled variable-volume second chamber including at least one port through which fluid can flow based on changes in volume of the second chamber. The first chamber and second chamber are fluidically isolated from one another. A fluid-filled spacer chamber is coupled to adjacent ones of the modules. The spacer chamber includes at least one venting port through which fluid can flow based on pressure in the spacer chamber.