Unidirectional damping system

US11111980B1 · 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: Mar 30, 2021
• Grant date: Sep 7, 2021
• Expiry date: Mar 30, 2041

Classification

• Technology area (CPC F): Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
• CPC primary: F16F2230/32
• WIPO field: Mechanical elements
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A unidirectional damping system includes a shaft and unidirectional damping modules. Each module is fixedly coupled to the shaft. Each module includes a fluid-filled variable-volume chamber and spring(s). The chamber has at least one port through which fluid flows based on changes in volume of the chamber wherein, when the shaft is adapted to have a unidirectional force applied thereto, the chamber decreases in volume. The spring(s) is coupled to the chamber for increasing volume of the chamber when the unidirectional force is not applied to the shaft. A fluid-filled spacer chamber is coupled between adjacent modules and is uncoupled from the shaft. The spacer chamber includes at least one venting port through which fluid flows based on pressure in the spacer chamber.