Abstract: A strut assembly for a vehicle may include an insulator part connected to a vehicle body, a piston rod coupled to the insulator part, a damper cylinder coupled with the piston rod and having an operating fluid accommodated therein, a strike cap coupled to the upper portion of the damper cylinder, and a sliding part formed on the side surface of the strike cap. In the strut assembly, a dust cover is coupled to the sliding part. In addition, the sliding part includes one or more side surface holes formed on the side surface of the strike cap, a sliding protrusion coupled with the dust cover and mounted in each of the side surface holes, and a guide part formed in each of the side surface holes for restraining the sliding protrusion.

Abstract: A centering member including a first section configured and arranged to produce a pulling force along a longitudinal axis thereof and a second section configured and arranged to produce a pushing force along a longitudinal axis thereof, wherein the first section and the second section are configured and arranged such that the longitudinal axis of the first section is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the second section. There is a first mounting means attached to a first distal end of the centering stabilizer and a second mounting means attached to a second distal end of the centering stabilizer Preferably, the first section comprises a gas push-type spring and the second section comprises a gas traction spring.

Abstract: A variable semi-active damping assembly comprising a shock body defining a fluid-filled chamber; a piston tube having a first end slidably disposed within the shock body; an inner rod slidably disposed within the piston tube and the shock body, the inner rod having a first end connected to a lower piston mount and a second end extending outward from the piston tube and engaging an adjustment mechanism that is configured to move the inner rod with respect to the shock body; an upper piston mount slidably disposed within the shock body and connected to the piston tube; and a deformable member disposed between the lower piston mount and the upper piston mount, the deformable member being configured to transition between a compressed state and a non-compressed state in response to movement by the lower piston mount.

Abstract: An aircraft vehicular assembly is provided that includes a nonelastomeric outer tubular member having an inner axial center bore with a tubular cylindrical frictional interface contiguous smooth inner surface segment, and a nonelastomeric inner member having an outer bonding surface segment. The nonelastomeric inner member is rotationally received in the outer member inner axial center bore with the nonelastomeric inner strut member rotatable within said outer member. An elastomer encompasses the nonelastomeric inner strut member outer bonding surface segment. The elastomer has an inner bonding surface segment and an outer grooved elastomer surface, the inner bonding surface segment is bonded to the nonelastomeric inner member outer bonding surface segment.

Abstract: By providing a tube of deformable material which can be located within a hollow cavity of a blade it is possible to provide an element which through friction engagement can absorb vibration energy and therefore damp vibration in a hollow blade. The tube incorporates a number of cuts and/or grooves in an appropriate pattern in order to define a deformation profile once the tube is expanded in location. The tube is secured in position internally upon an expandable element which is typically an inflatable device. Once in position the tube is retained in its expanded deformable profile and the engagement between the tube and the hollow cavity wall surface results in energy absorption through vibration episodes. It is possible to provide a tube formed from a shape memory alloy which will expand in location to engage the hollow cavity wall surfaces for energy absorption during vibration episodes.

Abstract: Damper, in particular for washing machines with a spin cycle, with a housing having a central longitudinal axis and at least partially encompassing a housing interior by housing walls, a plunger displaceable in the housing along the central longitudinal axis, guided out of the housing and having at least one friction lining recess, fastening elements, arranged on open ends of the housing and the plunger, and at least one friction lining, arranged in the at least one friction lining recess and in frictional contact with opposite housing walls.

Abstract: A bearing (1) comprising a block (10) of flexible material, having two end surfaces (11, 12); and a first fixture element (20) and a second fixture element (30) connected at each of the end surfaces (11, 12); wherein at least one rotational damping device (40) is arranged between the first and second fixture elements (20, 30), the bearing thus providing high dampening between structural parts of a structure, such as buildings, bridges, elevated highways, and mechanical systems (machinery).

Abstract: An aircraft vehicular assembly is provided that includes a nonelastomeric outer tubular member having an inner axial center bore with a tubular cylindrical frictional interface contiguous smooth inner surface segment, and a nonelastomeric inner member having an outer bonding surface segment. The nonelastomeric inner member is rotationally received in the outer member inner axial center bore with the nonelastomeric inner strut member rotatable within said outer member. The assembly includes an elastomer encompassing the nonelastomeric inner strut member outer bonding surface segment. The elastomer has an inner bonding surface segment and an outer grooved elastomer surface, the inner bonding surface segment is bonded to the nonelastomeric inner member outer bonding surface segment.

Abstract: An item assembly and a shock attenuation method for protecting an item comprising providing an item internal to an assembly and encasing the item in a fluid material such that the material and the item are approximately in hydrostatic balance upon an impact event.

Abstract: An aircraft front nose landing gear having both elastomeric and nonelastomeric elements is provided along with a method of making the same. The aircraft front nose landing gear includes the ability to reduce/inhibit oscillating shimmy rotation vibrations. The method further provides for making a landing gear with a shimmy damper for further reducing oscillating rotations.

Abstract: In a pneumatic damper for slowing down movable furniture parts, comprising a cylinder and a piston movably disposed in the cylinder so as to form a displacement chamber at one side and a vacuum chamber at the other side of the piston, the piston includes a seal element which, in one end position thereof, is in close contact with the wall of the cylinder whose cross-section increases toward the opposite end of the cylinder so that the sealing effect collapses when the piston approaches its other end position and the piston includes a piston rod, which has a diameter of less than 35% of the piston diameter and sealingly extends through a cylinder end wall.

Abstract: An air spring for use with a closure of a vehicle is disclosed. The air spring includes a rod and a tube axially slidable in the rod. The rod may include a housing having tube slots defining flexible arms with rod cam extensions extending therefrom. The rod cam extensions may have an extension rod cam surface that has a smaller angle than a retraction rod cam surface, with a rod peak between the two. The tube may include a tube cam extension having a tube peak with a diameter greater than the diameter of the rod peak. The tube cam extension may include an extension tube cam surface that has a smaller angle than a retraction tube cam surface.

Abstract: An aircraft vehicular front wheel landing gear assembly is provided that includes a nonelastomeric outer upper strut tubular member having an inner axial center bore with a tubular cylindrical frictional interface inner surface segment, and a nonelastomeric inner lower strut member having an outer bonding surface segment. The nonelastomeric inner member is rotationally received in the outer strut member inner axial center bore with the nonelastomeric inner strut member rotatable within said outer strut member. The assembly includes an elastomeric surface effect damper member encompassing the nonelastomeric inner strut member outer bonding surface segment. The elastomeric surface effect damper member has an inner bonding surface segment and an outer elastomer surface, the inner bonding surface segment is bonded to the nonelastomeric inner strut member outer bonding surface segment.

Abstract: An upper bush is secured to a bracket of a compressor unit, and a lower bush is abutted against a panel member of a vehicle body through a washer. A coil spring is interposed between the upper and lower bushes. A pipe member is inserted through the upper and lower bushes and the coil spring. A bolt is inserted through the pipe member and screwed into the panel member of the vehicle body. The compressor unit is resiliently supported floatingly by the coil spring. Vibration of the compressor unit is damped by friction generated by sliding contact between the pipe member and raised portions of the upper bush. When the vibration amplitude is large, respective projections of the upper and lower bushes abut against each other to suppress the vibration while absorbing impact.

Abstract: A linear damper includes a conical housing with a friction cone in the housing and a rod extending therethrough and axially moveable relative thereto. The friction cone is axially moveable in the housing and radially expandable and contractible to provide clamping force against a rod when the rod is moved in one axial direction and to relieve clamping force from the rod when the rod is moved in the opposite axial direction.

Abstract: A viscous rotary damping device for a vehicle end gate assembly is provided. The damping device includes a housing member configured to operatively attach to the vehicle body or the end gate assembly. The housing member defines a fluid chamber having viscous fluid therein. The damping device also includes an impeller member having a mast with a first end configured to operatively attach to the other of the vehicle body and the end gate assembly, and a second end having one or more blades projecting outward therefrom. The second end of the mast is rotatably received in the fluid chamber such that the impeller member dissipates kinetic energy generated by the end gate assembly when transitioning between a first, closed position and a second, open position. A cover plate member is preferably coupled to the housing member, and configured to fluidly seal the fluid chamber.

Abstract: An aircraft vehicular assembly is provided that includes a nonelastomeric outer tubular member having an inner axial center bore with a tubular cylindrical frictional interface contiguous smooth inner surface segment, and a nonelastomeric inner member having an outer bonding surface segment. The nonelastomeric inner member is rotationally received in the outer member inner axial center bore with the nonelastomeric inner strut member rotatable within said outer member. The assembly includes an elastomer encompassing the nonelastomeric inner strut member outer bonding surface segment. The elastomer has an inner bonding surface segment and an outer grooved elastomer surface, the inner bonding surface segment is bonded to the nonelastomeric inner member outer bonding surface segment.

Abstract: A self locking apparatus is disclosed having a housing, a load initiating element located within the housing, a spring located adjacent to the load initiating element and configured to expand in compression against the housing in response to a compressive load, and a compression member slideably disposed within the housing and configured to compress the spring from a side opposite the load initiating element. The load initiating element, spring and compression member are slideable within the housing in a first axial direction and in a second opposite axial direction in response to an axial load on the load initiating element, and lockable within the housing in the second axial direction in response to an axial load on the compression member in the second axial direction.

Abstract: A friction damper with a housing including a cavity. The damper includes a first member disposed in the cavity and movable in the cavity; a second member disposed in the cavity; an intermediate member between the first and second members, the first member being in frictional engagement with the intermediate member; and at least one magnetic field generator mounted to magnetically couple the first and second members thereby maintaining the first member in frictional engagement with the intermediate member and wherein the first member is movable against the intermediate member to generate a damping force.

Abstract: Linear dampers are capable of offering an expected damping force without the use of oil or gas. A casing body 10 has a cylindrical portion 14 and a damping groove 15 continuing with each other and axially extending. The side face of the damping groove 15 are tapering faces 17 between which the space gradually opens up toward the opening of the damping groove 15. A slider 18 constituted of a first moving member 19 and a second moving member 20 is inserted into the casing 10. When the slider 18 is inserted into the casing 10, an inclined face 28 of the second moving member 20 and an inclined face 24 of the first moving member 19 are in contact with each other and tapering faces 29 of the second moving member 20 and the tapering faces 17 are in contact with each other.

Abstract: A friction damper a housing including a cavity formed therein; a first member disposed in said cavity and movable in the cavity; a second member disposed in the cavity; an intermediate member between the first and second members, the first member being in frictional engagement with the intermediate member; and at least one magnetic field generator mounted to magnetically couple the first and second members thereby maintaining the first member in frictional engagement with the intermediate member and wherein the first member is movable against the intermediate member to generate a damping force.

Abstract: Disclosed are a combination type damper and a washing machine having the same. The combination type damper comprises: a cylinder provided with a receiving space having a certain depth at one side thereof; a rod relative-movably inserted into the receiving space of the cylinder; and a composite damping means for generating a damping force by an electromagnetic force when a displacement of a relative movement of the cylinder and the rod is less than a preset length, and for generating a frictional damping force when the displacement of the relative movement is more than the preset length. Transient state vibration and steady state vibration generated from a tub assembly during the entire processes for washing laundry are prevented from being transmitted to a cabinet, thereby minimizing vibration noise towards outside while using the washing machine.

Abstract: A mount comprising a unitary resilient member where the unitary resilient member comprises a spring portion, an intermediate stiffening portion and a damping layer, and the resilient member is compressible and extendible. The resilient member is substantially enclosed by a casing. The mount further includes damping means located in contact with said damping layer, the damping means providing damping in response to compression and extension of said resilient member.

Abstract: An energy absorbing seismic brace for both retrofit and new construction. The brace comprises a central strut of either multi-legged or homogeneous section fabricated from low strength aluminum, whose characteristics maximize the seismic energy absorption for a building installation. This central strut absorbs energy at high weight-specific levels by virtue of the hysteresis in its load-deflection relationship. In order to eliminate the possibility of buckling of the energy absorbing strut when it passes through the compression portion of a load cycle, it is surrounded by a system of spacers and an external sleeve providing very high bending rigidity at low weight. The spacers may be fabricated from low-density foams, pseudo-concrete, fibrous composites, or metals, depending upon the application. The outer sleeve may also be fabricated from a variety of materials, depending upon whether the embodiment calls for the principal bending rigidity to be provided by the spacers or sleeve.

Abstract: A damper includes a cylinder, and a piston rod inserted into the cylinder through an opening portion of the cylinder. The piston rod includes front and base ends, and a frictional engaging member provided on an outer surface along a longitudinal direction thereof extending from a front end side toward the base end. A resistance device is disposed at the opening portion of the cylinder. The resistance device contacts the frictional engaging member and deforms elastically to provide frictional resistance to the piston rod as the piston rod is withdrawn from the cylinder.

Abstract: A surface effect damper comprising a housing having a wall that defines a chamber, the housing having a first end, a second end and an axis; at least one contact element movable through the chamber between the housing ends in a first direction and in a second direction; and at least two damping elements substantially surrounding each contact element, each of the at least two damping elements being movable away from the axis and into frictional engagement with the wall as the at least one contact element is moved in a first direction and each of the at least two damping elements being movable toward the axis as the at least one contact element is moved in a second direction.

Abstract: An energy absorbing seismic brace for both retrofit and new construction. The brace comprises a central strut of either multi-legged or homogeneous section fabricated from low strength aluminum, whose characteristics maximize the seismic energy absorption for a building installation. This central strut absorbs energy at high weight-specific levels by virtue of the hysteresis in its load-deflection relationship. In order to eliminate the possibility of buckling of the energy absorbing strut when it passes through the compression portion of a load cycle, it is surrounded by a system of spacers and an external sleeve providing very high bending rigidity at low weight. The spacers may be fabricated from low-density foams, pseudo-concrete, fibrous composites, or metals, depending upon the application. The outer sleeve may also be fabricated from a variety of materials, depending upon whether the embodiment calls for the principal bending rigidity to be provided by the spacers or sleeve.

Abstract: A double acting mechanical shock isolator that includes a stack of friction springs contained within a housing. The stack is retained between the end walls of the housing by a pair of opposed slides. A sleeve passes through the stack and the ends of the sleeve are contained within opposing slides. The ends of the sleeve are connected to the slides by lost motion devices so that the sleeve is engaged by one of the containing slides when the sleeve moves toward the opposing slide and releases the slide when the sleeve moves in the opposite direction so that the stack is loaded in compression when the sleeve is moved axially in either direction.

Abstract: A sliding resistance member (3) is interposed between a glove box (B) and a rod type air damper (21). It is assumed that when a glove box lid (L) corresponding to a open-close member starts opening, the rod type air damper (21) rotates while running idle in conjunction therewith, in a relation in which the rotary type oil damper (3) is positively interposed between the glove box (B) corresponding to the mounting shaft and the rod type air damper (21). However, since a braking force of the sliding resistance member (3) is applied to the side of the open-close member in a rotating section of the rod type air damper (21), an sufficient damper effect can be obtained even when the open-close member starts opening.

Abstract: A damper (20) for damping motion between two relatively moveable members, such as pivotal motion between components in office chairs (10). The damper (20) includes a outer member (22) having an internal recess (23) with a inner surface (24) and a crosswise oriented hole (30) intersecting the recess (23), and an inner member assembly (32) moveable relative to the outer member (22) having a shaft (34) with a resilient friction member (38) mounted thereon. The resilient friction member (38) frictionally engages the inner surface (24) in an interference fit relationship thereby radially precompressing the resilient friction member (38). The resilient friction member (38) preferably has one or more protrusions (40) that may be axially or radially oriented.

Abstract: The rotation-retarding device includes a first element and a second element having a rotary motion to be retarded relative to each other, and is characterized by the fact that the first element includes a block of flexible material (106), the second element (107) is able to locally deform the block of flexible material (106) throughout the rotary motion in order to retard this motion, and anti-adherence means are provided at the interface of the two elements. The block of flexible material (106) may also have a dimensional variation able to permit progressive retarding of the rotary motion.

Abstract: Elastomer dampers (20) and (120) for damping movement between two relatively moveable members, such as shimmy motion between components in an aircraft landing gear assembly (10). Each damper includes a housing (24) having an internal cavity (36) with a cylindrical interior surface (34) and an opening (41), and a member assembly (28, 128) moveable relative to the housing (24) having an elongated shaft (30) received through the opening (41) with a piston head assembly (32) mounted thereon. The piston head assembly (32, 132) has a annular support element (46, 146) received over the shaft (30) with a sleeve-like elastomer member (48, 148) received over it. The elastomer member (48, 148) engages the interior surface (34) in an interference fit relationship thereby radially precompressing the elastomer element (48, 148) in the range of between about 5% and 15%.

Abstract: A double acting shock isolator that includes a cylindrical housing having a radially expanded chamber therein. The housing is closed at one end and open at the other end and a connector is mounted at the closed end. A stack of friction rings are mounted in a preloaded condition between the ends of the expanded chamber and a rod passes into the open end of the housing and through the stack. A pair of spaced apart raised flanges are mounted upon the rod that engages either end of the stack. A second connector is mounted upon the distal end of the rod outside of the housing so that the stack of friction rings is further compressed uniformly when either a tensile force or a compressive force is applied to the connectors.

Abstract: A damper including a cylinder, opposite end walls in the cylinder, an elongated shaft mounted for axial movement in seals in the end walls, a piston head on the shaft between the end walls, fluid-tight bellows mounted in sealed relationship between the shaft and the end walls, fluid in the cylinder and in the bellows, and flexible washers mounted between the shaft and the end walls for maintaining the shaft centered in the seals. The damper can function as a snubber when it utilizes a valved piston head.

Abstract: A two-part shock absorber device for toy vehicles is comprised of a sleeve part and a strut part, each formed of molded plastic material. The strut element is received within an internal cavity of the sleeve for axial extending and retracting movement. The upper end of the sleeve cavity is progressively constricted, and cooperates with a pair of upwardly extending spring tines fixed in cantilever fashion to the upper end of the strut. The squeezing of the spring tines within the constriction of the sleeve provides progressively increasing resistance to axial compression of the strut into the sleeve and also provides spring action for return of the strut to its normal axial extended position. A simulated coil spring, molded on the outside of the strut element provides for realistic simulation of the operation of a shock absorber.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for reducing overload and dampening collision energy, for instance, in connection with a container crane, the apparatus comprising a movable bar (16) to receive a load and a resistance device (18) against the predetermined resistance of which the movable bar are able to move in a dampening situation, and the resistance device comprise at least one friction device (18) arranged to cooperate with the movable bar (16).

Abstract: A small-sized damper is provided which enables to effectively vary the damping force of a damper even in a region in which the moving speed of a rod is small. On one of a damper main body and a rod which is inserted into the damper main body, there are mounted a magnet coil having a winding axial line which is coaxial with the damper, and magnetizable attracting members. By electric charging to the magnet coil, the magnetizable attracting members are attracted into contact with the other of the damper main body and the rod.

Abstract: Disclosed is a seismic damper for ground equipment such as high voltage breakers and disconnect switches. The disclosed seismic damper is reactive to low frequency seismic disturbances and provides damping in response to both upward and downward vertical forces. The seismic damper is adapted to be connected to such equipment without modifying the equipment. When the seismic dampers are connected to the equipment, the equipment's natural frequency in response to seismic disturbances is reduced. This reduction results from the particular use of a stacked ring compression spring and the particular configuration and assembly of the components of the seismic damper.

Abstract: A damper for controlling the movement of a first member with respect to a second member including an arcuate surface on one of the members which engages the outer peripheral rim of an annular damping member rotatably mounted to the other member. The annular damping member preferably is made of a compressible material, and in one embodiment is made of an open-celled urethane foam. The annular damping member is mounted on an axle positioned to locate the annular damping member in compressible engagement with the arcuate surface such that the arcuate surface engages the outer peripheral rim of the annular damping member as the two members move with respect to one another to provide a controlled damping action for the first member peripheral rim engaging the arcuate surface with a predetermined force to provide a controlled resistance force to the movement of the door.

Abstract: Several improved embodiments of surface effect dampers that produce a damping force including both hysteretic and frictional components. Various improvements include an amplitude sensitive feature or decoupler mechanism to eliminate or greatly reduce the damping for low amplitude input conditions as compared to high amplitude inputs, provisions for increasing the damping force in a non-linear manner, and features for providing significantly greater damping in one direction than the other. Other embodiments include an improved rotational surface effect damper useful for damping rotational motion, and a multiaxial damper which can be used, for example, as a motor mount which has the capability for the piston to tilt relative to the axis of its piston rod, allowing accommodation of torsional rotation of the engine while not compromising vibration isolation.

Abstract: A dual-rate surface effect damper with extended useful life. The dual rate is provided by two cylindrical liners which have different inner diameters which engage a damping piston having protrusions which have an interference fit with the liner. Features which extended life include heat dissipative elements such as internal and external fins, a convective heat transfer path for cooling air through the piston and a lubricant of MoS.sub.2 dispersed in a Teflon.RTM.-filled flurosilicone. Maintaining the temperature of the elastomer below about 200.degree. F. (93.3.degree. C.) is critical to avoiding thermal breakdown. In addition, the elastomer and metallic surfaces can undergo a surface treatment to reduce their tendency to abraid and to cause abrasion, respectively.

Abstract: A dry friction shock absorber including a casing having an internal surface, a piston of low coefficient of friction bearing material having an external surface in contiguous relationship with the internal surface of the casing, attachment fittings on the piston and the casing for moving the piston into the casing when the shock absorber is subjected to shock forces, and expanding structure within the piston for tending to move the external surface of the piston outwardly toward the internal surface of the casing to increase the friction therebetween when the shock absorbing force is applied to the shock absorber for moving the piston into the casing. Adjustment structure is provided for varying the expanding force on the piston. A shock absorber of the foregoing type wherein the expanding structure is not activated when the piston moves slowly relative to the casing but which produces an expanding force on the piston when the shock absorber is subjected to shock forces both in tension and compression.

Abstract: A frictional damper, in particular for washing machines with spinning action, comprises a circular cylindrical housing and a tappet which is coaxially displaceable inside the housing and extends out of it with one end, the other end being provided with a friction piston. The friction piston has at least one friction coating made of an elastically resilient material and is provided with a grease chamber. In order to prevent a decrease of damping because of change from lubricated to dry friction, the grease storage chamber is provided within the friction piston and is connected with the at least one support segment by way of at least one grease channel.

Abstract: The bogie has two side-frames. Each side-frame has an opening in which a respective end of a bolster bar rests upon the side-frame by way of suspension springs. Two wedges, themselves supported by springs and having an oblique face which is thereby pressed against an oblique face of the bolster, consequently assume a friction bearing against a frictional face of the side-frame so as to damp the suspension oscillations. The oblique faces are not only oblique with respect to the vertical, but also with respect to the longitudinal midline of the bogie. The horizontal force to which the wedge is subjected consequently comprises a transverse component which is used to clamp the side-frame between the wedge and a reference face of the bolster.

Abstract: An energy damping device that includes a piston-cylinder assembly having a cylinder and a piston movable therein. A pre-loaded double acting spring, and a friction assembly, are enclosed fully within the cylinder, and engage the piston concentrically. The spring acts against the friction assembly for forcing it into frictional engagement with the inner surface of the cylinder. The friction assembly includes at least one wedge for engaging the interior surface of the cylinder. The friction assembly further includes a plurality of spaced-apart compression rings, that are interleaved with the wedges, for forcing them into radially outwardly directed frictional engagement with the interior surface of the cylinder.

Abstract: An extensible suspension arm for damping the vibrations of the tub of a laundry washing and drying machine comprises a tension spring whose ends are connected to two suspension members, a damping member, and at least one stop providing a degree of freedom between the damping member and the suspension member to ensure that the damping action does not occur beyond a specific amplitude of the displacement between the two suspension members, damping being necessary only at high amplitudes during passage of the natural frequencies of the laundry washing machine.

Abstract: A frictionless hydraulic damper including a cylinder having end walls mounting the opposite ends of a shaft in bushings with a clearance, bellows seals between each end wall and the portions of the shaft extending beyond each end wall, a piston head on the shaft within the cylinder, hydraulic fluid in the cylinder and in both bellows seals, an orifice construction located relative to the piston head for permitting flow of hydraulic fluid past the piston head to produce damping, and a conduit in the shaft for effecting communication between the two bellows. The damper as described above also functions as a snubber by including a valve construction which selectively closes the orifice construction. The damper as described above also includes structure which effectively closes off the clearances at the relevant bushings when the piston head travels above a predetermined velocity, to thereby prevent leakage past the bushings and thus enhance the snubbing action.

Abstract: A frictional damper, includes a circular-cylindrical casing and a ram which is coaxially displaceable in the casing and the inner end of which is provided with a cylindrical friction piston. On its external face, the friction piston is provided with one or more friction elements which are elastically pressed against the inner wall of the casing. To obtain a uniform surface pressure over the entire friction surface of the friction element or elements during the entire life of the frictional damper, the friction piston is provided with a bushing having a circular-cylindrical external shape and of counter-holder flanges or disks which project radially from the bushing and delimit the latter at a fixed axial extent. Moreover, at least one annular-cylindrical friction sleeve which has a closed circumference, is made of an elastically yielding material and is under tension in its inner circumferential zone, is provided on the bushing.

Abstract: A frictional damping assembly operated by a load bearing air spring together provide damped, pneumatic load bearing support for a telescoping load bearing assembly. The strut is particularly suitable for use in front and/or rear suspensions of passenger vehicles.

Abstract: A frictionless hydraulic damper including a cylinder having end walls mounting the opposite ends of a shaft with a clearance in labyrinth seals, bellows seals between each end wall and the portions of the shaft extending beyond each end wall, a piston head on the shaft within the cylinder, hydraulic fluid in the cylinder and in both bellows seals, an orifice construction located relative to the piston head for permitting flow of hydraulic fluid past the piston head to produce damping, and a conduit in the shaft for effecting communication between the two bellows. The damper as described above also functions as a snubber by including a valve construction which selectively closes the orifice construction.