Patent · US Expired

Shear viscous damped hinge

US5546632A · kind A · utility

8Cited by
14References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 4, 1994
Grant dateAug 20, 1996
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 4, 2014

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
  • CPC primaryE05Y2900/502
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A shear viscous damped hinge uses a negator spring and a high viscosity fluid to provide a relatively slow and controlled deployment of the hinge. Shear damping of the fluid slows the angular velocity of the hinge. The invention reduces the end of travel impact loads thereby reducing the risk of damage to the hinge and the object rotated by the hinge. The hinge is particularly useful in, but not limited to, spacecraft applications.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.