Abstract: A damping apparatus (10) can be self-centering and include one or more precompressed and preloaded mechanical springs (16). A solar tracking apparatus (100) can include a solar panel (102) mounted on a rotating shaft (104), and a self-centering damping apparatus (50) operatively connected to the rotating shaft (104) to compensate for torque created when the solar panel (102) is rotated at an angle to horizontal. A steering assembly for a zero-turn riding lawn mower can include a pair of steering levers and a self-centering damping apparatus (50) operatively connected to the steering levers.

Abstract: A damping apparatus can be self-centering and include one or more pre-compressed and preloaded mechanical springs. A solar tracking apparatus can include a solar panel mounted on a rotating shaft, and a self-centering damping apparatus operatively connected to the rotating shaft to compensate for torque created when the solar panel is rotated at an angle to horizontal. A steering assembly for a zero-turn riding lawn mower can include a pair of steering levers and a self-centering damping apparatus operatively connected to the steering levers.

Abstract: A piston assembly for use in a gas spring or damper can include a piston rod partially positioned within a pressure tube, and a linear position sensing apparatus capable of tracking and determining the velocity of the piston rod. The linear position sensing apparatus can include a sensor, such as a waveguide sensor, connected to the piston rod such that the sensor moves with the piston rod. A beacon, such as a magnet, can be contained within the pressure tube and the sensor can detect the position of the beacon relative to the sensor.

Abstract: A piston assembly for use in a gas spring or damper can include a piston rod partially positioned within a pressure tube, and a linear position sensing apparatus capable of tracking and determining the velocity of the piston rod. The linear position sensing apparatus can include a sensor, such as a waveguide sensor, connected to the piston rod such that the sensor moves with the piston rod. A beacon, such as a magnet, can be contained within the pressure tube and the sensor can detect the position of the beacon relative to the sensor.

Abstract: A damping apparatus for use with a solar panel array and a solar tracking device that is operatively connected to the solar panel array to control positioning of solar panels. The damping apparatus can absorb kinetic energy from movement of the solar panels and convert the kinetic energy to heat energy. The damping apparatus can include one or more sensors that measure collect data corresponding to the heat energy. The damping apparatus can send instructions to the solar tracking device for adjusting the position of the solar panels based on the analysis of the sensor data.

Abstract: A piston assembly for use in a gas spring or damper can include a piston rod partially positioned within a pressure tube, and a linear position sensing apparatus capable of tracking and determining the velocity of the piston rod. The linear position sensing apparatus can include a sensor, such as a waveguide sensor, connected to the piston rod such that the sensor moves with the piston rod. A beacon, such as a magnet, can be contained within the pressure tube and the sensor can detect the position of the beacon relative to the sensor.

Abstract: A damping apparatus can be self-centering and include one or more pre-compressed and preloaded mechanical springs. A solar tracking apparatus can include a solar panel mounted on a rotating shaft, and a self-centering damping apparatus operatively connected to the rotating shaft to compensate for torque created when the solar panel is rotated at an angle to horizontal. A steering assembly for a zero-turn riding lawn mower can include a pair of steering levers and a self-centering damping apparatus operatively connected to the steering levers.

Abstract: Damper includes a housing having proximal and distal ends, a first attachment point proximate the distal end of the housing, a rod having proximal and distal ends at least partially disposed within the housing and moveable relative to the housing between an extended position and a compressed position, a second attachment point proximate the proximal end of the rod, a piston joined to the rod within the housing proximate the distal end of the rod, the piston including a bypass groove having a flow area defined therein to allow fluid to flow from a first side of the piston to an opposing side of the piston, and a first washer disposed proximate a first end of the piston and at least partially covering the flow area of the bypass groove.

Abstract: Damper includes a housing having proximal and distal ends, a first attachment point proximate the distal end of the housing, a rod having proximal and distal ends at least partially disposed within the housing and moveable relative to the housing between an extended position and a compressed position, a second attachment point proximate the proximal end of the rod, a piston joined to the rod within the housing proximate the distal end of the rod, the piston including a bypass groove having a flow area defined therein to allow fluid to flow from a first side of the piston to an opposing side of the piston, and a first washer disposed proximate a first end of the piston and at least partially covering the flow area of the bypass groove.

Abstract: Piston assembly includes a piston housing defining an interior and having a first housing end and a second housing end, a piston rod having a first rod end extending into the interior and moveable therein between an extended position toward the first housing end and a retracted position toward the second housing end, a first plate joined to the piston rod proximate the first rod end, a second plate joined to the piston rod and spaced apart a distance along the piston rod from the first plate, and a piston head slidably joined to the piston rod between the first plate and the second plate. A lift assembly including a piston assembly and configured to provide a damping force to a pivotable body during pivoting of the pivotable body relative a stationary body between a closed position and an open position is provided.

Abstract: Piston assembly includes a piston housing defining an interior and having a first housing end and a second housing end, a piston rod having a first rod end extending into the interior and moveable therein between an extended position toward the first housing end and a retracted position toward the second housing end, a first plate joined to the piston rod proximate the first rod end, a second plate joined to the piston rod and spaced apart a distance along the piston rod from the first plate, and a piston head slidably joined to the piston rod between the first plate and the second plate. A lift assembly including a piston assembly and configured to provide a damping force to a pivotable body during pivoting of the pivotable body relative a stationary body between a closed position and an open position is provided.

Abstract: A coupling member for pivotally coupling an end of a device to a mounting ball includes a body connectable to an end of the device and defines a socket for receiving a mounting ball. The body further includes slots communicating with the socket. A sliding element arranged in a longitudinal groove of the body is movable from a first position to a second position. A C-shaped spring has two ends and a center section, the ends being received through the slots and projecting into the socket for holding the mounting ball in the socket. The sliding element interacts with the center section of the spring when the sliding element is moved to the second position so that the ends of the spring are drawn out from the socket to release the mounting ball from the socket, whereby the mounting ball is releasable from the socket without external tools.

Abstract: A coupling member for pivotally coupling an end of a device to a mounting ball includes a body connectable to an end of the device and defines a socket for receiving a mounting ball. The body further includes slots communicating with the socket. A sliding element arranged in a longitudinal groove of the body is movable from a first position to a second position. A C-shaped spring has two ends and a center section, the ends being received through the slots and projecting into the socket for holding the mounting ball in the socket. The sliding element interacts with the center section of the spring when the sliding element is moved to the second position so that the ends of the spring are drawn out from the socket to release the mounting ball from the socket, whereby the mounting ball is releasable from the socket without external tools.

Abstract: An apparatus for damping the motion of a tailgate attached to a truck bed comprising a damper having a truck bed attachment point at one end and a tailgate attachment point at the other end. The truck bed attachment point is secured to said truck bed, while the tailgate attachment point is secured to the tailgate.

Abstract: An apparatus for damping the motion of a tailgate attached to a truck bed comprising a damper having a truck bed attachment point at one end and a tailgate attachment point at the other end. The truck bed attachment point is secured to said truck bed, while the tailgate attachment point is secured to the tailgate.