A damper device includes a cylinder including an attachment portion and a piston including an attachment portion. The attachment portion of at least one of the cylinder and the piston includes an elastic portion which urges a pin member inserted therein in an axial direction and a radial direction. The elastic portion includes an axial abutment portion which abuts on a large-diameter portion of the pin member protruding radially outward from an outer peripheral surface of the pin member; and a radial abutment portion which abuts on the outer peripheral surface of the pin member.

A damper device includes a cylinder including an attachment portion and a piston including an attachment portion. The attachment portion of at least one of the cylinder and the piston includes an elastic portion which urges a pin member inserted therein in an axial direction and a radial direction. The elastic portion includes an axial abutment portion which abuts on a large-diameter portion of the pin member protruding radially outward from an outer peripheral surface of the pin member; and a radial abutment portion which abuts on the outer peripheral surface of the pin member.

A method of manufacturing a damper tube is provided. The method includes providing a tube having a first end and a second end opposite to the first end. The method includes providing a reinforcing insert, at least partly, within the first end of the tube. The method includes flattening a portion of the first end of the tube. The method also includes bending at least one of the reinforcing insert and the flattened portion of the first end of the tube into a loop. The method further includes connecting an edge of the loop to the tube.

A method of manufacturing a damper tube is provided. The method includes providing a tube having a first end and a second end opposite to the first end. The method includes providing a reinforcing insert, at least partly, within the first end of the tube. The method includes flattening a portion of the first end of the tube. The method also includes bending at least one of the reinforcing insert and the flattened portion of the first end of the tube into a loop. The method further includes connecting an edge of the loop to the tube.

An air damper is provided. A piston member includes a stopper portion configured to come into contact with a cap in a state that a rod is pulled out to a maximum extent, and a deflection regulating portion configured to be positioned inside the engagement claw in the state to regulate an inward deflection of the engagement claw. An attachment portion rotatably attached to an attachment target portion is provided at an end portion of the rod. A contact surface is formed on the inner side of the engagement claw when viewed in an axial direction of the cylinder, the contact surface being capable of coming into contact with the deflection regulating portion when the rod swings in a direction of a rotation axis of the attachment portion with respect to the attachment target portion or in a direction intersecting the rotation axis.

A damper comprising a connection structure and a damper rod connected to the connection structure via a connection. In embodiments, the connection is made via a locking ring. A method of using a locking ring in a damper for fixing a damper rod to a connection structure is disclosed.

A damper comprising a connection structure and a damper rod connected to the connection structure via a connection. In embodiments, the connection is made via a locking ring. A method of using a locking ring in a damper for fixing a damper rod to a connection structure is disclosed.

A solar tracker system includes a torque tube, a solar panel assembly attached to the torque tube, a housing defining a chamber and a fluid passageway extending from the chamber, and an active lock connected to a seal configured to prevent a flow path of fluid while in a sealed state and allow the flow path of fluid in an unsealed state. The system further includes a controller in communication with the torque tube and the active lock. The controller is programmed to receive a command to place the solar panel assembly in a stowed position, instruct the torque tube to rotate the panel assembly to a stowed angle corresponding to the stowed position, monitor a current angle of the panel assembly, compare the current angle to the stowed angle, and instruct the seal to transition to the sealed state when the current angle is equal to the stowed angle.

Solar tracker systems include a torque tube, a column supporting the torque tube, a solar panel attached to the torque tube, and a damper assembly. The damper assembly includes an outer shell surrounding an inner shell. A piston is at least partially positioned within the inner shell and moveable relative thereto. An active lock of the damper assembly includes a housing positioned within the outer shell. The housing defines a cavity and a housing channel extending from the cavity to an outer fluid channel. A shaft extends into the cavity and a valve assembly is attached to the shaft. The shaft is rotatable within the cavity between an unsealed position in which the housing channel is in fluid communication with the cavity, and a sealed position in which the valve assembly is rotationally aligned with the housing channel and obstructs fluid communication between the cavity and the housing channel.

Solar tracker systems include a torque tube, a column supporting the torque tube, a solar panel attached to the torque tube, and a damper assembly. The damper assembly includes an outer shell surrounding an inner shell. A piston is at least partially positioned within the inner shell and moveable relative thereto. An active lock of the damper assembly includes a housing positioned within the outer shell. The housing defines a cavity and a housing channel extending from the cavity to an outer fluid channel. A shaft extends into the cavity and a valve assembly is attached to the shaft. The shaft is rotatable within the cavity between an unsealed position in which the housing channel is in fluid communication with the cavity, and a sealed position in which the valve assembly is rotationally aligned with the housing channel and obstructs fluid communication between the cavity and the housing channel.