Generally described, aspects of the disclosed subject matter are directed to through-shaft dampers. In accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, the through-shaft dampers generally include a shaft having a piston traveling within a body, a first chamber for a damping fluid, and a second chamber for a gas. The chambers are separated by a movable wall associated with an insert and configured to provide a volumetric change of the second chamber that is inverse to a volumetric change of the damping fluid. The insert is configured such that the sealing surfaces of the movable wall do not interface the shaft during use of the damper. In this regard, a significant reduction in the total displacement traveled by the seals is realized.

A redundant seal assembly for an aircraft shock absorber comprises a changeover unit and dual dynamic seals for sealing a fluid chamber formed between an inner member and an outer member of the shock absorber. The first dynamic seal functions as a primary seal, and the second dynamic seal functions as a backup seal in the initial operation of the shock absorber. A fluid passage is formed from the fluid chamber to the first dynamic seal. The changeover unit has a spool provided in the fluid passage. The spool has a channel that forms pat of the fluid passage. A changeover activator is movable to open and close the fluid passage at the spool to apply or remove the fluid pressure on or from the first dynamic seal so as to change over the functionality as the primary seal between the first dynamic seal and the second dynamic seal.

A damper includes a damper housing, a fluid chamber in the damper housing, a damping fluid in the fluid chamber, a piston displaceable in the fluid chamber, a piston rod connected to the piston, and a volume compensating device in the damper housing. The volume compensating device compensates for a displaceable volume of the damping fluid when the piston rod is immersed into the fluid chamber, and includes a seal to seal the fluid chamber relative to the piston rod and/or relative to an inner wall of the damper housing, a support element to guide the seal, a spring element to reset the seal after a damping stroke at least partially into an initial position. The spring element, the seal, and/or the support element form a common compensating member having an integral one-piece configuration. The compensating member is configured to bear loosely against a cover for closing the damper housing.