Patent · US Expired

Bi-directional damper with a self-centering mechanism

US5896959A · kind A · utility

30Cited by
1References
15Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 13, 1997
Grant dateApr 27, 1999
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 13, 2017

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
  • CPC primaryF16F9/06
  • WIPO fieldMechanical elements
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A self centering, bi-directional, non-cavitating damper that includes a cylindrical damper body and a piston assembly having a piston reciprocally movable in the damper body and a piston rod connected and movable with the piston. A tube is connected with the piston rod and is spaced about and radially from the damper body so that the tube and damper body may move axially, relative to each other, but are normally positioned in centered positions with respect to each other. First and second plastic washers are positioned between the damper body and the tube. At least one coil compression spring is positioned between the damper body and the tube and biases the washers apart axially to their normal positions. Each washer is prevented from moving apart beyond its normal position, but is movable toward the other washer, against the bias of the spring, when relative movement, from their normal positions, occurs between the damper body and the tube.

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