Solar tracker systems include a torque tube, a solar panel attached to the torque tube, and a damper assembly. The damper assembly includes an outer shell, a first chamber wall and a second chamber wall within the outer shell at least partially defining a chamber, and a piston to direct fluid through the chamber. A valve is within the chamber that includes a first axial end, a second axial end, and a seal positioned on the first axial end. The damper assembly further includes a biasing assembly that biases the valve into a first position within the chamber in which the seal is spaced from the first chamber wall. The valve is moveable within the chamber from the first position to a second position in which the seal contacts and seals against the first chamber wall to prevent the flow of fluid through the chamber.

The invention relates to an industrial truck comprising a mast (8), a load-carrying apparatus (36), which can be moved upwards and downwards thereon and which has at least one load-receiving means for receiving a load that is to be transported, and a support structure (24) connecting the load-receiving means to the mast (8), the load receiving means having a load-carrying arrangement (41) connected to the support structure (24), and a device for reducing vibrations, characterised in that the device for reducing vibrations has at least one load support (50), which covers the load-carrying arrangement (41) at the top at least in regions, on which support a load received by the load-carrying apparatus (36) can be supported and which support is provided so as to be movable to a limited extent on the load-carrying arrangement (41) such that it can perform vibration-reducing movements relative to the load-carrying arrangement (41).

A method for controlling the damping characteristic of a shock absorber of a vehicle, particularly for compensating the variation of the operating temperature of the shock absorber, in an active or semi-active suspension system. The compensation of the variation of the operating temperature of the shock absorber takes place by: estimating a mechanical power dissipated in heat by the shock absorber; estimating a thermal power exchanged by the shock absorber with the environment; evaluating the current operating temperature of the shock absorber as a function of the dissipated mechanical power and of the thermal power exchanged with the environment; and controlling the driving current of the control valve of the shock absorber according to a shock absorber reference model indicating a relationship between the damping force of the shock absorber, the operating temperature of the shock absorber and the driving current of the control valve.

The present disclosure is directed to a gas-lubricated bearing assembly for a gas turbine engine and method of damping same. The bearing assembly includes a bearing pad for supporting a rotary component and a bearing housing attached to or formed integrally with the bearing pad. The bearing housing includes a first fluid damper cavity, a second fluid damper cavity in restrictive flow communication with the first fluid damper cavity via a restrictive channel configured as a clearance gap, and a damper fluid configured within the first and second fluid damper cavities. More specifically, the damper fluid of the present disclosure is configured to withstand the high temperature environment of the engine. Thus, the bearing housing is configured to transfer the damper fluid from the first fluid damper cavity to the second fluid damper cavity via the restrictive channel in response to a force acting on the bearing pad.

The present disclosure is directed to a gas-lubricated bearing assembly for a gas turbine engine and method of damping same. The bearing assembly includes a bearing pad for supporting a rotary component and a bearing housing attached to or formed integrally with the bearing pad. The bearing housing includes a first fluid damper cavity, a second fluid damper cavity in restrictive flow communication with the first fluid damper cavity via a restrictive channel configured as a clearance gap, and a damper fluid configured within the first and second fluid damper cavities. More specifically, the damper fluid of the present disclosure is configured to withstand the high temperature environment of the engine. Thus, the bearing housing is configured to transfer the damper fluid from the first fluid damper cavity to the second fluid damper cavity via the restrictive channel in response to a force acting on the bearing pad.

The invention relates to the novel usage of shear-thickening and rheopectic non-Newtonian fluids as shock absorbers intended absorbing acceleration or impact via submergence of an object to be protected entirely into non-Newtonian fluid. Additionally, this invention relates to the novel usage of shear-thickening and rheopectic non-Newtonian fluids as shock absorbers capable of absorbing the force of impact or acceleration and effectively dissipating the force away from the object to be protected over an extended duration (greater than an instantaneous impact) more effectively than traditional shock absorbers.

A modular hydraulically-adjustable preload and/or cross-over system is disclosed. The system includes a housing configured to couple with a main damper cylinder, the housing including a slave cylinder within a portion of a slave cylinder chamber, the slave cylinder telescopically movable with respect to the housing; a fluid chamber; and a fluid port configured to provide a fluid flow for the fluid chamber, wherein an increase in a fluid volume within the fluid chamber causes a portion of the slave cylinder to telescopically extend from the slave cylinder chamber. A preload flange coupled with the slave cylinder at an end of the housing such that a change in a location of the slave cylinder causes a change in a location of the preload flange.

A damper system may include an inner damper having a first annular geometry and a textured surface. An outer damper may also have an annular geometry and be disposed about the inner damper. The outer damper may have a textured surface. The textured surfaces of the inner damper and outer damper may define a cavity that is configured to contain a viscous fluid.

A method of isolating vibrations between vibrating bodies includes determining a pressure differential between a first fluid chamber and a second fluid chamber of a liquid inertia vibration eliminator (LIVE) unit, and selectively injecting fluid into or withdrawing fluid from the LIVE unit based on the pressure differential. A system for isolating vibrations between bodies includes a vibration isolator including fluid, a fluid regulator valve in fluid communication with the vibration isolator to selectively flow fluid through the vibration isolator, a pressurized fluid source in fluid communication with the fluid regulator to supply fluid to the fluid regulator, a controller in signal communication with the fluid regulator to control fluid flow between the fluid regulation valve and the vibration isolator, and at least one sensor in signal communication with the controller.

A method of isolating vibrations between vibrating bodies includes determining a pressure differential between a first fluid chamber and a second fluid chamber of a liquid inertia vibration eliminator (LIVE) unit, and selectively injecting fluid into or withdrawing fluid from the LIVE unit based on the pressure differential. A system for isolating vibrations between bodies includes a vibration isolator including fluid, a fluid regulator valve in fluid communication with the vibration isolator to selectively flow fluid through the vibration isolator, a pressurized fluid source in fluid communication with the fluid regulator to supply fluid to the fluid regulator, a controller in signal communication with the fluid regulator to control fluid flow between the fluid regulation valve and the vibration isolator, and at least one sensor in signal communication with the controller.