Abstract: A shock absorber comprising a housing assembly including an elongated cavity for containing hydraulic fluid, an annular cavity surrounding the elongated cavity, a piston assembly including a head slidably received by the elongated cavity and a rod joined to the head for movement therewith, a compressible bladder containing gas under pressure positioned within the annular cavity, and a plurality of orifices defined within the housing assembly through which the elongated and annular cavities communicate with one another. The rod extends through the housing assembly and is movable with the piston head between extended and retracted conditions. The bladder is positioned within the annular cavity so as to extend along at least a portion of the annular cavity and leave uncovered a portion of the inner wall. The plurality of orifices are arranged in a pattern along the uncovered portion of the inner wall.

Abstract: A dasphpot damper for acting between two objects subject to move toward and away from one another including a housing including an elongated cavity, a piston mounted within the housing cavity for reciprocating movement therealong and dividing the cavity into two variable-volume, hydraulic fluid chambers, and a network of passages permitting hydraulic fluid to flow between the two variable-volume chambers as the housing and piston move relative to one another in response to relative movements between the two objects utilizes unitary flow control cartridge mounted within the housing and defining a passageway through which hydraulic fluid is forced to flow when passing between the two variable-volume chambers. The flow control cartridge also includes a check valve device associated with the passageway for controllably restricting the flow of hydraulic fluid in one direction through the passageway and for permitting substantially unrestricted flow of hydraulic fluid in the other direction through the passageway.

Abstract: An adjustable kinetic energy absorbing device wherein a piston is moved in response to an applied impact force along within a tube defining a chamber containing hydraulic fluid. The tube has a plurality of orifice openings therein spaced therealong in the direction of movement of the piston, and an elongated path is defined outwardly of the chamber, preferably in the outer surface of the tube, and in fluid communication with the orifice openings. The path is relatively narrow in width and extends along the tube. An elongated flow control element is supported in the device and movable lengthwise along the path in response to manual operation of an adjustment assembly including a cam operatively engaging the elongated element. The flow control element has formations spaced therealong adapted to register with the orifice openings to control flow of hydraulic fluid through the openings in response to movement of the element.