Abstract: A rotation locking device wherein a control component is provided so that a partial enlargement of coil elements thereof causing a delay of locking operation due to a continuous change of rotational direction of a rotating body is prevented and a partial deformation of a hook portion thereof is prevented.

Abstract: A variable friction force damper utilizes geometric variations in a sliding surface to vary the frictional force. In particular, variation in thickness of the member on which the sliding surface is formed produces a corresponding variation in the displacement of a compression spring. This variation in spring displacement produces a variation in the compression force exerted by the spring, i.e., the force with which the sliding member is pressed against the sliding surface. This in turn causes a variation in the frictional force which the sliding surface exerts on the sliding member. The result is a variable friction force damper having a variable damping capability which allows a controlled response at variable input levels.

Abstract: A landing pad system for absorbing horizontal and vertical impact forces upon engagement with a landing surface (15) where circumferentially arranged landing struts (12) respectively have a clevis (24) which receives a slidable rod member (13) and where the upper portion of a slidable rod member is coupled to the clevis by friction washers (30,32) which are force fit onto the rod member to provide for controlled constant force energy absorption when the rod member moves relative to the clevis. The lower end of he friction rod is pivotally attached by a ball and socket (44) to a support plate (42) where the support plate is arranged to slide in a transverse direction relative to a housing which contains an energy absorption material (50) for absorbing energy in a transverse direction.

Abstract: The construction of a vibration damping device includes a splined or generally spiral groove formed either in the outer periphery of a damper pin, which is inserted into a damper, or in the inner periphery of a hole formed in the damper for inserting the damper pin therein.

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 storage chamber. In order to prevent a decrease of damping because of change from lubricated to dry friction and in order not to disturb the friction proportions between friction coating and inner wall of the housing, the grease storage chamber is provided within the friction piston and is connected by way of at least one grease channel with a grease chamber which is formed at the outer circumference of the friction piston and which is open towards the inner wall of the housing.

Abstract: A motor vehicle rack and pinion steering gear having torsional damping by friction between an annular plastic damper ring on a housing of the steering gear and a journal surface on a pinion shaft of the steering gear. The damper ring has an outer wall press fitted in a pinion shaft bore of the housing to nonrotatably mount the ring on the housing and a plurality of flexible inner fingers resiliently bearing against the journal surface. An annular metal spring is disposed on the damper ring and includes a plurality of integral legs bearing against the flexible inner fingers of the damper ring to press the fingers against the journal surface.

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 damping device is arranged between a surface of a ski and a binding holding a ski boot on the ski surface. The binding has a toe clamping member and a heel clamping member supported on a surface of a respective support portion. The damping device has a respective damping plate having an extension projecting from each support portion, the damping plate extensions extending towards each other in the same plane and having facing end faces defining therebetween at least a small gap. The damping plate extensions overlap in the direction of the longitudinal extension of the ski and are freely displaceable relative to each other in this direction.

Abstract: To permit absorption of sudden impacts or shock overloads, or gradual overloads, on a cable stretched to retain stones, rocks or snow masses, for example in road or railway cuts, a tube is bent to form an open loop, the end portions of which are held together by a clamp so that the end portions are frictionally engaged against each other, and the cable is threaded through the tube. Upon overload, the tube can plastically deform, thereby reducing the diameter of the loop or ring formed thereby, and accept overloads without overloading or unduly stressing the cable.

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 cylinder piston device comprises a cylinder and a piston rod. The piston rod is guided through one end of the cylinder inwards and outwards of the cylinder. A damping body is provided for damping the axial movement of the piston rod with respect to the cylinder. This damping body is deflectable in response to change of direction of the axial movement. A deflection of the damping body results in change of the frictional resistance.

Abstract: Vibration dampener and stiffener apparatus and method for increasing the dampening and the stiffness of a tube subjected to large amplitude flow-induced vibration. The preferred embodiment of the apparatus includes a plurality of flexible braided cables capable of being disposed in the tube for dissipating the vibration energy of the tube as the tube vibrates, the cables having a first end portion and a second end portion. Enclosing the first end portion of the plurality of flexible cables is a rigid cable tip member and enclosing the second end portion of each cable is a rigid cable end fitting. As the tube vibrates due to flow-induced vibration, the vibration energy will be transferred to the cables which will rub together creating frictional heat energy that will radiate from the cables. In this manner, the vibration amplitude of the tube is decreased. Moreover, as the tube vibrates, the rigid cable tip member and the rigid cable end fittings will tend to stiffen the tube.

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: A frictional vibration damper, in particular for washing machines with an oscillatory support of a washer unit has an approximately tube-shaped housing and a tappet displaceable in it. An articulation element is provided at the outer end of each the housing and the tappet. Further, a friction piston bearing with a friction coating on the internal wall of the housing is formed on the tappet, which friction piston is extendable by means of a linearly operating servomotor. In order to achieve high safety in operation at little expenditure, the servomotor is arranged in the tappet. It is formed by an electrically heatable thermoactuator element having a housing with a piston which changes its position relative to the housing upon heating. The piston of the servomotor directly bears against an expansion member serving to expand the friction piston.

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: A frictional damper, in particular for washing machines with spinning action, comprising 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 an approximately cylindrical friction piston. The friction piston has at least one friction coating made of an elastically resilient material and is provided with a grease chamber open towards the inner wall of the housing. In order to prevent a loss of damping because of a change from lubricated to dry friction, an extension tube is formed on the end of the tappet which is inside the housing which, together with an adjoining bracing flange and the inner wall of the housing, defines a grease collecting chamber.

Abstract: A frictional damper has a tubular housing and a slide which is guided slidably in this housing in the direction of its longitudinal axis. In the area of its end on the slide exit side, the housing is provided with a damping lining which bears against the slide. In order to achieve the setting and maintaining of constant frictional conditions, which can if necessary be varied from one frictional damper to another, at low cost, the damping lining is arranged in a separate damping housing which is inserted into the tubular housing from the end on the slide exit side and is fixed axially at this point in the direction of its longitudinal axis. In an otherwise identical housing and slide the damping housing and/or the damping lining can each have a different design.

Abstract: A shock absorbing device having an axial friction brake for the minimization of dynamic motion while allowing motion, seen as especially useful as an alternative to, or in the replacement of, snubber devices. The shock absorbing device has a movable shaft which is attached to the object to be supported during dynamic motion at one end and a frictional surface which contacts a brake assembly at the other. The brake assembly is located within a housing, which is directly or indirectly attached to a nonmovable support, and is provided with one or more friction pads which contact the frictional surface. The brake assembly may be adjustable for varying load amplitude.

Abstract: A frictional damper system particularly suited for use in preventing chatter and flutter in a liquid and two phase flow pressure relief valve. The frictional damper system includes one or more damper bodies each having a vertical through-hole and at least one inclined bore extending from the exterior of the damper body into the vertical through-hole. A friction contact member is positioned within each bore and urged inwardly by a spring device or the like. A portion of the object to be damped, such as the stem of a pressure relief valve, extends through the vertical throughhole. The type of material forming the friction member, the degree of compression by the spring device and the amount of inclination of the bore(s) is such that the vertical compression forces components of the damper spring(s) virtually negate the frictional forces created when the member to be damped moves in a first direction.

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 hydraulic snubber for a skidding grapple employing an internal piston, the piston having associated therewith a line type seal to prevent leakage of pressure fluid against a friction disc and wherein the passage providing pressure fluid to the piston is equipped with a special fitting to prevent overload.

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: This invention relates to a damped elastic stop device, associated with two parts mobile with respect to each other in a determined direction. One part bears two circular bosses, over the periphery of which pass two loops of yarn or cable made of fibers of polyamide or aramid resin, attached to a central block connected to the other part. The device acts both as a spring, thanks to the elasticity of the yarn of the loops, and as a damper, thanks to the friction of the yarn of the loops sliding on the periphery of the bosses.

Abstract: A shock absorbing caster wheel in which the wheel support bracket is pivotally mounted on a caster bracket and a spring engages the wheel support bracket and caster bracket to absorb shocks on the caster wheel. Vibration dampening pads on the caster bracket slidably engage wall surfaces on the wheel support bracket to dampen oscillation of the wheel support bracket.

Abstract: A log skidder has a lifting arm which may be raised or lowered by hydraulic pressure. A grapple is carried at the end of the lifting arm for lifting one end of a log to drag it from one area to another. The suspension for the grapple from the arm includes a body pivotally connected to the arm by a first horizontal pivot rod, and the grapple is pivotally connected to the body by a second horizontal pivot rod perpendicular to the first pivot rod. A pair of snubbers respectively encircle the pivot rod. Each snubber includes a ring-shaped hydraulic cylinder having a ring-shaped piston therein. Hydraulic fluid introduced into the cylinder extends the respective pistons to effect snubbing between the body and the arm in between the grapple and the body.

Abstract: A vehicle gearbox has a brake for dampening idle rattling, which is in this case in the form of a conical frictional surface on the low-speed gearwheel on the output shaft and a brake cone carried by a disc fixed to the output shaft. The disc and the cone have coacting structure which presses the cone against the frictional surface when the low-speed gearwheel rotates more rapidly than the output shaft, and which presses the cone away from the frictional surface when the shaft rotates more rapidly than the gearwheel.

Abstract: The assembly includes three damper shoes that are guided by and wedged transversely between two wedge rings, one having three curved flats and the other having three planar flats that respectively contact conforming contact surfaces of the damper shoes. The assembly is particularly useful in a frictionally damped suspension strut.

Abstract: A linear motion damper is disclosed which comprises a hollow sleeve member, a rod reciprocating within the sleeve member, and a piston adapted to engage a fluid filled cylinder to provide resistance to linear motion by the exertion of lateral fluid pressure between the rod and the sleeve. The damper of the present invention exhibits greater efficiency and durability in operation, and is adaptable for a wide variety of applications.

Abstract: A swing link suspension of a four-wheeled rail vehicle has respective pivotal mountings for permitting relative lateral and longitudinal movements of the wheelsets and vehicle body. Those pivotal mountings permitting longitudinal movement are provided with separately formed linings of a material providing a controlled frictional restraint to the longitudinal movement. Longitudinally extending traction rods incorporating resilience in their lengths are connected between the wheelsets and the vehicle body to provide a resilient yaw restraint on the wheelsets.

Abstract: Disclosed is a vibration damping apparatus incorporated in the crossing of diagonal members such as braces of a framed structure for damping vibration imparted by external force such as an earthquake or a strong wind. The apparatus comprises a plurality of rotatable members or discs, a resistive body disposed between the discs, and a pair or pairs of link bars causing relative rotation of the discs in response to the impartation of the external force, whereby the vibration is damped by the resistance force of the resistive body resisting to the external force.

Abstract: A vibration damping device for a thermostatic expansion valve comprises a spring member having a plurality of cantilevered fingers substantially parallel to the direction of travel of moving components but which are spring loaded to provide a force normal to that direction. The damping device is fixedly attached to one of the moving or stationary components and is arranged so that its fingers exert the normal force against the other of the moving or stationary components. Accordingly, a constant magnitude frictional force is produced over the range of movement, thus damping vibrations caused by pressure pulses from the compressor of the refrigeration system in which the thermostatic expansion valve is installed.

Abstract: An elastic support unit has a supporting element including an elastic part and a sliding part arranged so that under the action of load, first the elastic part is elastically deformed and the supporting element acts within a first elastic region, then the sliding part allows the supporting element to slide over a slide path and the supporting element acts within a second sliding region, and thereafter upon passing the sliding region the supporting element uses its stress reserves and after exceeding the stress reserves uses plastic deformation of the elastic part, so as to form thereafter an elastic stop and thereby act in a third additional region.

Abstract: A three piece snubber is provided with two frictional surfaces, a low frictional surface and a high frictional surface and said snubber is held between a frame of an automatic washer and a suspended mass such that small movements between the frame and the mass causes movement between the parts of the snubber at the low friction area and large movement between the frame and the mass results in movement of the snubber as a whole with the high friction area contacting a support pad and resulting in the desired snubbing action.

Abstract: The combination of a cylindrical casing, a rod member axially reciprocable in the casing, a rotary member fitted in the casing and rotatable therein in relation with axial displacement of the rod member, an inertia member rotatably fitted in the casing opposingly to the rotary member, and a rotation control member interposed between the rotary and inertia members and adapted to rotate the inertia member with the rotary member in rotation at a low speed and to move the inertia member axially away from the rotary member in rotation at a high speed to abut the inertia member against a wall portion of the casing to restrict the rotation of the rotary member. An intermediate brake is provided between the rotary and inertia members to apply a force resistive to relative rotational displacement of the rotary and inertia members.

Abstract: A safety valve has movable and immovable valve elements, and a friction unit arranged therebetween for damping vibrations, wherein the friction unit has a plurality of friction members movable radially relative to a valve axis, a pressing member arranged to move the friction members so that their friction surfaces are pressed against a friction countersurface of a movable valve element of the movable valve means and for abutment against a stationary abutment member at their side facing toward a valve closing member, and a pretensioned auxiliary spring acting upon the friction members at their side facing away from the valve closing member and in a valve closing direction, wherein the auxiliary spring has such force and such a smaller resistance that in the event of seizing of the friction members with the movable valve element, the auxiliary spring is compressed within a predetermined opening pressure which does not considerably exceed a response pressure over approximately a valve stroke.

Abstract: Disclosed is a vibration damping apparatus incorporated in the crossing of diagonal members such as braces of a framed structure for damping vibration imparted by external force such as an earthquake or a strong wind. The apparatus comprises a plurality of rotatable members or discs, a resistive body disposed between the discs, and a pair or pairs of link bars causing relative rotation of the discs in response to the impartation of the external force, whereby the vibration is damped by the resistance force of the resistive body resisting to the external force.

Abstract: The device is adapted to limit the movement, and in particular the whipping, of large-diameter pipes under very high pressure in the event of sudden fracture. It comprises two relatively slidable elements and a rotary member which is rotated by the relative sliding and is associated with braking members. Powerful dampeners are interposed between the elements and are brought into action at the end of the travel of the elements and rub against the rotary member. Application in nuclear stations.

Abstract: A shock absorber for a vehicle is provided with an elongated rod which is longitudinally displaceable with respect to a carrier which supports at least one frictional rod engagement member for producing a rod travel retardation force. The rod engagement member is arranged to apply a lateral force to the rod, which lateral force is translated into the rod travel retardation force to smoothly and quickly control the motion of the rod between first and second positions. The frictional rod engagement member can be urged against a rod in various ways, including compression of a resilient or elastic force exerting component, such as a wire-wound spring. The combination of the force exerting components and the frictional member can be configured to apply retardation forces to the rod which have preselectable damping characteristics. In a featured embodiment of the invention, the resilient force exerting component is itself damped by contact with the frictional rod engagement member.

Abstract: The brake is constructed of a clamp-shaped receiving member into which a gripper projectile penetrates during an initial braking stage. The receiving member is, in turn, slidably mounted between two brake shoes which carry out a further braking action. The complementary braking surfaces of the receiving member and brake shoes may be tapered in order to increase the braking action on the moving receiving member.

Abstract: Relative axial motion of a pair of strut members is converted into rotation of an escapement mechanism, which in turn oscillates a balance wheel. If the rotational velocity exceeds a predetermined minimum, the balance wheel inertia initiates a momentary motion snubbing action.The device used to convert reciprocation of the strut members into rotary motion is releasable so as to permit the operational testing of the motion snubbing mechanism while the strut is mounted in its operational environment.

Abstract: A braking apparatus for the cover of a chamber in a recording and/or reproducing apparatus includes a stationary plate, a shaft connected to the plate and extending in a direction perpendicular therefrom, an actuating disc arranged on the shaft for rotation in a clockwise and a counterclockwise direction, a damping disc rotatably arranged on the shaft between the plate and the actuating disc, means for urging the discs simultaneously toward the plate and a silicone grease provided between the plate and the damping disc. The grease contacts both the plate and the damping disc. The braking apparatus further includes means for uniting the discs and providing simultaneous unidirectional damped rotation by the discs only when the actuating disc is rotated in the counterclockwise direction.

Abstract: A mechanical shock and sway arrestor to be interposed between piping, related equipment and a stationary support, the parts of which are constructed and arranged to automatically change the effective length of the arrestor in response to thermally induced movements of the piping and to subtantially instantaneously convert the arrestor into a rigid strut in the event that the piping is subjected to shock-loading or vibration of substantial amplitude.The arrestor includes a housing for a ball screw and a ball nut threaded over the ball screw or equivalent acme screw. The ball screw is resiliently mounted and has a flywheel secured thereto centrally diposed between two clutch plates which engage the flywheel when the screw moves in response to movement of the piping thereby effectively arresting such motion and altering the effective length of the arrestor.

Abstract: A drum brake assembly (10) includes a torque member (12) which supports a hydraulic actuator (26). The hydraulic actuator is engageable with a pair of brake shoes (20, 22) and is operable to move the pair of brake shoes into a braking position. The torque member comprises a central portion (40) which attaches to an axle assembly (84) and a plurality of arms (42, 44, 46) extending radially outward from the central portion. In the preferred embodiment the plurality of arms cooperate with the central portion to substantially form a Y-shaped member. One of the arms (42) substantially forms the hydraulic actuator to integrally form the latter with the one arm. The other arms are provided with slots (64, 66) to direct the movement of the pair of brake shoes and resilient elastomeric members within the slots opposes axial movement of the pair of brake shoes.

Abstract: In a pile driver the sharp force loading on a pile at the moment of impact by a ram is absorbed by a pile driver cushion. The cushion includes a pad formed from a flexible strip of compressed knitted wire mesh wound in a flat spiral and further constructed to maintain its integrity during use and handling.

Abstract: A marking element assembly including a yoke which is driven by an arm. The arm is connected to a slider block which transfers motion to the yoke. The yoke has an interior channel for slider block free motion, with drag, after a marking element connected to the yoke stops yoke motion. The slider block moves against interior walls of the yoke dissipating arm motion and providing shock absorption for the marking element.

Abstract: A flexural pivot for transferring an input force through a lever to develop an output force. The flexural pivot has a housing with a horizontal support and a vertical support. A first rectangular bar has a first end attached to the horizontal support and a second end attached to the lever. A second rectangular bar has a first end attached to the vertical support and a second end attached to the lever. The second ends of the first and second rectangular bars are attached to the lever to establish a fulcrum. The first bar holds the fulcrum in a substantially fixed horizontal position and the second bar holds the fulcrum in a substantially fixed vertical position whenever an input force is applied to the lever while allowing the lever to pivot about the fulcrum as a function of the twisting moment in the first and second bars.