Abstract: The orientation insensitive, non-cavitating differential, bi-directional damper has a tubular body defining a closed, elongated chamber that has a first end and a second end. A piston assembly is disposed in and is movable within a portion of the chamber. One end of a piston shaft is connected with the piston assembly and the other end of the shaft extends out of one end of the chamber. Another assembly is disposed in the chamber between the piston assembly and the other end of the chamber. A floating piston is disposed in the chamber and is movable in the chamber between the other assembly and the other end of the chamber. The portion of the chamber between the other end of the chamber and the floating piston is filled with gas while the remainder of the chamber is filled with fluid. The floating piston is spring biased toward the other assembly. Orifices in the piston assembly control the rate of fluid flow across the piston assembly when the piston assembly moves relatively to the tubular body.

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.