Abstract: A shock absorber for providing a decelerating force employs a piston disposed in a cylinder acting to displace the hydraulic fluid through a programmed series of orifices disposed along the length of the cylinder, with turbulent flow of the hydraulic fluid through the orifices. An adjustment in the shock absorber characteristics is achieved by a sleeve slidably fit over the cylinder, the cylinder having a series of ports with the sleeve being formed with a corresponding series of encircling straight-sided grooves which extend transversely with respect to the radial planes of the cylinder, such that each groove defines a variable area orifice depending on the rotative position of the sleeve over the cylinder by the overlying of the groove and cylinder ports.

Abstract: In a fluid displacement-type shock absorber, a piston responding to an impacting load moves within a cylinder, forcing hydraulic fluid therein out of one or more orifices into a reservoir. The resistive force of the piston depends upon its velocity, and the area of the orifice or orifices which control the rate at which the fluid can be displaced. The total available orifice are a for discharging fluid from the cylinder is progressively reduced as the piston is displaced from its initial position upon impact. The fixed orifice structure defines successive control regions, each of which is designed to provide a predetermined resistance profile and related deceleration control for a respective load system or mass system. The lightest mass system, traveling at its maximum velocity within the design range, reaches its limiting deceleration rate in the first control region.

Abstract: An improved type of hydraulic control cartridge with mounting structure and accessorial safety device for installation within both ends of reciprocative pneumatic actuators to permit a safe increase in their speed of operation. The safety device automatically stops the actuator if the hydraulic cartridge malfunctions.

Abstract: An improved type of hydraulic control cartridge with mounting structure and accessorial safety device for installation within both ends of reciprocative pneumatic actuators to permit a safe increase in their speed of operation. The safety device automatically stops the actuator if the hydraulic cartridge malfunctions.

Abstract: A fluid jack (10) has a cushioning device (21) positioned within a cylinder (11) between a piston means (12) and a closed end (13) with the cushioning device (21) being a self-contained unit independent of any major components of the fluid jack (10). A variable volume chamber (24) is formed between a pair of members (22,23) with the cushioning taking place by metering the fluid expelled from the variable volume chamber (24) in response to the piston means (12) engaging and moving one of the members (22,23) in a direction for decreasing the volume of the variable volume chamber (24).

Abstract: A hydraulic buffer for a vehicle, the buffer including a piston and cylinder arrangement in which the piston is displaced by the pressure of hydraulic fluid, the hydraulic fluid being contained in a chamber defined by the piston and cylinder, the chamber being in flow communication with a reservoir for the hydraulic fluid, a valve being provided for permitting flow from the chamber to the reservoir, the valve comprising a perforated resilient sleeve in flow communication with the interior of the chamber and a resilient bush mounted on the periphery of the sleeve, an increase in pressure within the chamber causing deformation of the sleeve and bush, the deformation constituting the opening of the valve.

Abstract: A hydraulic shock absorber having an outer tube which is closed at one end and open at the other end. An inner tube, having a plurality of metering orifices, and having a closed inner end and an open end, is mounted in the outer tube with its closed end against the closed end of the outer tube. A meter tube, having a plurality of metering openings, is rotatably mounted above the inner tube. The inner tube is retained in its longitudinal operative position by the meter tube, a rotatable retainer member, and a wave washer. A locking pin retains the inner tube against rotation. The inner tube, meter tube, and the rotatable retainer member are all assembled into the outer tube through the open end of the outer tube, and they are retained in the outer tube by a retainer member. A meter tube adjusting ring is rotatably mounted on the outer tube, and it is connected to the meter tube for adjusting the position of the metering holes in the meter tube relative to the metering orifices in the inner tube.

Abstract: A gas-operated absorber includes a piston and cylinder unit wherein axially extending grooves of a predetermined length are provided on the inner surface of the cylinder to vary the dampening effect during the expansion stroke of the piston. The piston expansion movement is braked as the piston moves away from the grooves during its expansion stroke, and through holes in the piston head permit passage of gas therethrough during the expansion stroke although, when the piston moves away from the grooves, a flexible lip on the piston completely closes the holes to effect further braking. Additional holes are also provided in the piston head through which the gas may pass throughout the expansion stroke.

Abstract: A spool valve is positioned within the reservoir of a hydraulic shock absorber. The valve body is secured to the pressure tube of the hydraulic cylinder and has openings aligned with ports therein. The spool has threads engaging threads on the valve body so that as the spool is rotated the spool is moved axially to cause the lands on the spool to cover more or less of the openings in the valve body. A rotatable shaft device extends radially through the external housing and into the reservoir. At its inner end the shaft device has a gear which engages a gear on the spool so that as the shaft device is rotated the spool also is rotated.

Abstract: A heavy duty hydraulic shock absorber having an inner tube in which is slidably mounted an impact receiving piston assembly. Upon application of an impact force on the piston assembly, the piston assembly is moved inwardly of the inner tube and fluid from the inner tube is metered through a plurality of exponentially disposed metering orifices into an accumulator chamber formed between the inner tube and an outer tube which encloses the inner tube. An adjustable, slidable metering spool is operatively mounted in the accumulator chamber, over the metering orifices, for regulating the flow of fluid through the metering orifices into the accumulator chamber.

Abstract: A shock absorber of the kind having an infinitely adjustable damping characteristic comprises a main cylinder containing a piston fixed to a piston rod which extends from the main cylinder and liquid within the cylinder acting on the piston. The main cylinder has openings for the flow from it of the liquid upon movement of the piston in the cylinder and an adjustment device is provided for restricting these openings to provide the adjustment of the damping characteristic. The openings are situated in the peripheral wall of the main cylinder and are axially spaced apart from each other in positions in which they are successively passed over and closed by the piston as the piston approaches the end of its stroke at one end of the main cylinder in a damping movement. Thus the flow of liquid from the main cylinder is progressively further throttled by closure of the openings as the piston approaches the end of its movement.

Abstract: A shock absorber for providing a linear decelerating force to a machine part by a piston forcing fluid through a series of orifices formed by the coaction of holes in the piston cylinder and grooves formed on the internal diameter of a sleeve which fits over the cylinder. The absorber is constructed with asymmetrical tabs formed on the cylinder in such a manner as to allow the insertion of the piston into the cylinder without any special inserting tools and the asymmetry eliminating the possibility of an improper assembly of the cylinder to a retainer structure.

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.

Abstract: A sleeve is rotatably mounted on the main body and the two define a reservoir cavity therebetween. Projections integral with the body extend radially through the reservoir cavity to contact the inner wall of the sleeve. Spaced axially along the cylinder are a plurality of openings which extend through the projections from the cylinder cavity to the outer end of the projections. On the inner wall of the sleeve in juxtaposition to the outer end of the openings are a plurality of generally annular grooves. The oil path or duct for release of oil from the cylinder cavity to the reservoir cavity when the piston moves inwardly is through the openings and those parts of the grooves at the distal ends of the projections. In one embodiment these grooves vary in cross-sectional size throughout their length. In another embodiment they are helical, at a slight angle to the axis of rotation.

Abstract: A shock absorber for providing a linear decelerating force to a machine part by means of a piston which forces fluid through a series of orifices formed by the coaction of holes in the piston cylinder and grooves formed on the internal diameter of a sleeve which fits over the cylinder. One form of groove is disclosed which varies in depth about the perimeter of the sleeve and has an inclined sidewall which varies the width of the groove on the internal diameter of the sleeve as a function of its depth. An alternative form of groove has a constant depth and is formed spirally on the sleeve with a pitch that is an integral divisor of the hole spacings. A series of orifices having a low ratio of length to width are formed by the coaction of the holes and the grooves and are adjustable by rotating the cylinder relative to the sleeve.

Abstract: An adjustable energy absorber including a housing having a ram slidably extending therefrom. A first control sleeve divides the housing into a pair of fluid chambers, which sleeve has an axially extending row of openings to provide communication between the two chambers. A second control sleeve surrounds the first sleeve and is nonrotatably connected thereto. The first and second sleeves have compatible outer and inner conical surfaces, respectively. The first and second sleeves are axially adjustable with respect to one another to form a narrow flow passage between the opposed conical surfaces. Imposition of a force on the ram causes fluid to be forced from one chamber through the openings into the flow passage, and then into the other chamber. By varying the width of the flow passage, as by axially moving one control sleeve relative to the other, the amount of energy absorbed by the fluid during the movement of the ram can be selectably adjusted.

Abstract: A shock absorber including a housing having a ram slidably extending therefrom. A pair of concentric control sleeves divide the housing into inner and outer fluid chambers, and a piston is slidably received within the inner chamber. The inner sleeve has an axially aligned row of openings therein, and also has an elongated groove formed in the outer periphery thereof, which groove is circumferentially spaced from the row of openings. The inner and outer sleeves have opposed conical surfaces forming a narrow clearance space therebetween. A spring coacts between the housing and the outer sleeve for urging same axially in a direction whereby the openings in the inner sleeve are effectively closed, as by maintaining the narrow space at a minimum dimension. When a shock load is imposed on the ram causing the piston to move inwardly within the inner chamber, the fluid therein is pressurized and flows through the openings into the narrow space.

Abstract: A shock absorber of the kind having an infinitely adjustable damping characteristic comprises a cylinder containing a piston fixed to a piston rod which extends from the cylinder and liquid within the cylinder acting on the piston. The cylinder has openings for the flow from it of the liquid upon movement of the piston in the cylinder and means are provided for restricting these openings to provide the adjustment of the damping characteristic. The openings are situated in the peripheral wall of the cylinder and are axially spaced apart from each other in positions in which they are successively passed over and closed by the piston as the piston approaches the end of its stroke at one end of the cylinder in a damping movement. Thus the flow of liquid from the cylinder is progressively further throttled by closure of the openings as the piston approaches the end of its movement.

Abstract: A hydraulic shock absorber includes a cylinder, a piston therein, a sleeve surrounding the cylinder wall and provided with an internal thread, the crest of which engages the cylinder wall, possibly a storage chamber for liquid provided outside the cylinder and connected to the slot of the thread, at least one cylinder chamber in communication with the slot of the thread through at least one narrow opening which may be throttled more or less by the crest of the thread, when the cylinder and the sleeve are rotated mutually.

Abstract: An apparatus for hydraulically cushioning the motion of reciprocating means is provided by first hydraulic cushioning means which is adapted to be contacted by the reciprocating means near the end of its stroke in the direction of the first hydraulic cushioning means, second hydraulic cushioning means adapted to be contacted by the reciprocating means near the end of its stroke in the direction of the second hydraulic cushioning means, and means for adjusting the position at which the reciprocating means contacts at least one of said first and second hydraulic cushioning means.

Abstract: An adjustable energy absorber including a housing having a ram slidably extending therefrom. A first control sleeve divides the housing into a pair of fluid chambers, which sleeve has an axially extending row of openings to provide communication between the two chambers. A second control sleeve surrounds the first sleeve and is nonrotatably connected thereto. The first and second sleeves have compatible outer and inner conical surfaces, respectively. The first and second sleeves are axially adjustable with respect to one another to form a narrow flow passage between the opposed conical surfaces. Imposition of a force on the ram causes fluid to be forced from one chamber through the openings into the flow passage, and then into the other chamber. By varying the width of the flow passage, as by axially moving one control sleeve relative to the other, the amount of energy absorbed by the fluid during the movement of the ram can be selectably adjusted.

Abstract: A shock absorber for use in elevators comprising a hollow piston rod connected to a piston which is movable within a cylinder filled with a fluid and having apertures in the cylinder wall for communication with a surrounding cylindrical expansion chamber and means for providing fluid communication with the interior of said piston rod. The hollow piston is forced into the cylinder during operation of the shock absorber thereby forcing fluid into both the cylindrical expansion chamber and the interior of the piston rod.

Abstract: A shock absorber having passageways through which fluid is metered from a primary chamber upon application of an impact force to a piston assembly slidable in the chamber, and an adjustable flow control member for regulating the flow of fluid through the passageways to an accumulator chamber within the flow control member.