Abstract: A buffer, particularly suitable for use in railway vehicles, comprising a cylinder including a movable piston and a buffer fluid contained therein, the buffer fluid formed of a very high-viscosity fluid such as silicone oil, and at the same time the cylinder includes a gaseous medium having a volume at least corresponding to the displacement of the piston rod of the piston when it moves in the cylinder to the end of its stroke.

Abstract: A snubber having a seal assembly in which a seal having a generally U-shaped cross section encircling a reciprocating rod is engaged with a separate integral wedge element in such a way that radial loads are applied so as to force the outer lip of the seal outwardly and the inner lip of the seal inwardly. The outwardly directed radial load is uniform around the entire seal, and the inwardly directed radial load is likewise uniform around the entire seal; however, the inwardly directed radial load is greater than the outwardly directed radial load.

Abstract: A shock isolator wherein a piston is movably mounted within a compressible solid chamber formed within a housing, the piston including first passages and second passages, the compressible solid material to be extracted through said first passages during an extension of the piston, the compressible solid material to be extracted also through the second passages during retraction of the piston, a ring surrounding the piston, the ring to close off the second passages during extension of the piston, during retraction of the piston the ring to move to permit the compressible solid material to flow therethrough.

Abstract: The bumper of a vehicle is secured to the vehicle chassis by shock absorbers having each a cylinder attached to the vehicle chassis and a hollow piston assembly attached to the bumper. Liquid in the cylinder communicates with liquid in the piston assembly through a throttling passage in the piston, and a compressed gas cushion acting on the liquid in the piston assembly biases the assembly outward of the cylinder cavity against an abutment. The initial gas pressure and dimensions of the shock absorber are so selected that the total energy absorbed by the shock absorber while the piston assembly is pushed from its normal to its innermost position by the greatest impact energy capable of being totally absorbed is consumed to at least 20% by reversible compression of the gas cushion.

Abstract: A tractor recoil mechanism for maintaining tension of the track includes a cylinder having a sleeve piston movably disposed therein, associated with a rear frame portion. A rod member, disposed within the sleeve piston to form therewith a closed chamber with the cylinder means, extends through an open end of the cylinder means. A helical spring acts between the sleeve piston and reaction means associated with a front frame portion to urge them apart. Recoil movement of the front portion in one direction relative to the rear portion moves the rod therewith, so that, with the chamber filled with incompressible fluid, the sleeve piston moves in the opposite direction relative to the cylinder means, with compressive movement of the helical spring being greater than the amount of movement of the front portion toward the rear portion. Vent means associated with the chamber allow introduction of substantially incompressible fluid therein while air may be properly vented therefrom.