ROTATING HYDRAULIC DAMPER

Abstract

The disclosed invention relates to the mechanical engineering industry, in particular, transport, exercise and medical training machines or appliances. The rotary hydraulic damper has a body that is formed by two hermetically connected base members in the form of cups which are directed to each other by their open parts and installed on an axle and are suitable for reciprocal oscillations. Internal surfaces of the body form a cavity in which partitions with transfer holes are installed and divide the cavity into chambers at that one end of each partition is fixed in turn on an internal end face of one or another base member and opposite ends of the partitions remain free. The axle is unloaded and dampening takes place due to oscillations of the base members and transfer of working fluid from one chamber into another.

Claims

1. A rotary hydraulic damper comprising a hollow body with end faces and side surface whose cross section is essentially in the form of a circle, a rod installed in the body along the symmetry axis of the cavity, means for attaching to external parts, partitions arranged in the body in such a manner that they divide the body cavity into chambers, at that the chambers are designed with a possibility to fill them with working fluid and transfer fluid through transfer holes, wherein the body consists of two base members that are in the form of cups directed to each other by their open parts and joined between themselves in such a manner that their end faces are the end faces of the body, their side surfaces form the body's side surface, and internal surfaces form a cavity, at that the base members are installed on a rod which serves as an axle while the members are able to oscillate against each other, partitions whose one end is fixed and such ends are fixed in turn, next after one, on the internal end face of one base member then in the internal end face of another base member while their opposite ends have seals and are in contact with the internal end face of the opposite base member, transfer holes which are made in the partitions, and means for attaching to external parts which are arranged on the outer surface of the base members.

2. The rotary hydraulic damper of claim 1, wherein hubs are designed in the base members at that bearings which support the axle stubs are installed in the hubs while a bearing is installed in the hub ends which are proximate to each other and this bearing ensures reciprocal movement of the base members, and in addition seals are installed in peripheral and internal parts of the surfaces of the base members which are proximate to each other.

3. The rotary hydraulic damper of claim 1, wherein one end of the axle is rigidly fixed on the internal end face of the first base member or designed as it integral part, the second base member comprises a hub in which a bearing that supports a stub of the second end of the axle is installed, at that parts of the base members which are proximate to each other and connected between themselves by a bearing which is installed in them and ensures their reciprocal movement and along with that seals are installed

4. The rotary hydraulic damper according to claim 1, wherein the damper comprises two partitions in the cavity and a valve device is provided in one of the partitions.

5. The rotary hydraulic damper according to claim 1, wherein there are two partitions in the cavity and in each partition a valve device is provided at that the valve devices in the partitions are directed towards each other.

6. The rotary hydraulic damper according to claim 1, wherein the transfer hole in the partition comprises a facility to adjust the cross section area.

7. The rotary hydraulic damper according to claim 1, wherein it comprises a torsional or compression spring located in the body between the partitions.

8. The rotary hydraulic damper according to claim 1, wherein it comprises a torsional or compression spring located on the outer surface of the body at that the spring is designed with a possibility to attach it to the means for attaching with the outer surface.

9. The rotary hydraulic damper according to claim 1, wherein it comprises a pressure transducer installed in the body cavity.

10. The rotary hydraulic damper according to claim 1, wherein it comprises a movement pickup, or speed pickup, or acceleration pickup installed on the outer surface of one of the base member.

11-18. (canceled)

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] The essence of the invention is explained with the use of examples of actual embodiments and drawings.

[0027] FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of the damper's cross section explaining its operating principle.

[0028] FIG. 2 shows a longitudinal section of the damper with internal seals on the axle.

[0029] FIG. 3 shows a longitudinal section of the second embodiment with internal seals in the body of base members of invention.

[0030] FIG. 4 shows an expanded view of the damper design shown in FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] A damper applied in a weight machine is shown as an example of the actual embodiment of the invention. The weight machine is designed as a rotary hydraulic damper, it comprises a hollow body that consists of two base members 1 and 2, which are of the form of cups that are directed to each other by their open sides. The base members 1 and 2 are installed on an axle 3 and hermetically connected by their open sides in such a manner that their end faces are the body's end faces, their side surfaces form the body's side surface. The internal surfaces form a cavity 4 whose cross section is in the form of circle. The axle 3 is installed along a symmetry axis of the cavity 4 and designed in such a manner that the base members 1 and 2, have a possibility to free oscillate against each other while retaining on the axle.

[0032] The partitions are fixed on an internal end face of one base member in turn, next after one. Their opposite ends have seals and are in contact with the internal end face of the opposite base member. There are transfer holes in the partitions. Means for attaching to external parts are provided on the outer surfaces of the base members. Reciprocal oscillations may be attained as FIG. 2 or FIG. 3 shows where the base members may oscillated against each other while the axle 3 may remain immovable. The axle may be even fixed on an immovable support. An embodiment is possible in which the axle 3 is designed as an integral part of the base member and oscillates simultaneously with this member.

[0033] Hubs 5 and 6 are formed in the base members 1 and 2. Bearings 7 and 8 are installed in the hubs. These bearings, e.g. taper roller bearings, receive axial and radial loads, as shown in FIG. 2 or FIG. 3. Stubs of the axle 3 are installed in the bearings. A bearing 9 is installed on the axle between the hubs, it is a single bearing for the both base members which ensures their relative movement. In the example of the actual embodiment shown in FIG. 2 or FIG. 3 a thrust ball bearing is installed. Two partitions 10 11 are installed in the cavity 4. One end of the partition 10 is irremovably fixed on the internal end face of the base member 1 and the opposite end of the partition 10 is free and has a seal 12 which is in contact with the internal surface of the opposite base member 2. One end of the partition 11 is irremovably fixed on the internal end face of the base member 2 and the opposite end of the partition 11 is free and has a seal 13. The partitions divide the body cavity into two chambers. When such a damper is used in transport vehicles the number of partitions may be more than two. Under operating conditions the chambers are filled with working fluid. Machine oil may be used as working fluid. Leak-tightness of the chambers is ensured by seals 14, 15 which are installed on a peripheral area of contiguous with each other surfaces of the base members 1 and 2 and seals 16 installed either on the axle 3 between the bearings 7, 8 (as shown in FIG. 2) or in the body of the base members 1 and 2 (as shown in FIG. 3). The seals make tight the internal part of the chambers. Transfer holes 17 and 18 are provided in the partitions 10 and 11. The damper may be designed with transfer holes either in a single partition or in the both partitions in accordance with purposes for which a gym machine is intended. Each of the transfer holes 17 and 18 has a facility (19 and 20 respectively) for adjusting the cross section area of the transfer hole. FIG. 1 shows that adjusting screws 19 and 20, which are screwed in thread holes on the side surfaces of the base members, may be such facilities. If working fluid is absent in the cavity or its quantity is not sufficient it may be filled in through these holes at the stage of setting up of the damper. The chambers of the damper may be filled with working fluids of various viscosity depending on the required damper stiffness. Valve devices 21, 22 are additionally arranged in the partitions. They are aligned toward each other. Torsional or compression springs may be provided for increasing damper stiffness in the structure (are not shown in the drawings). Such springs may be easily installed or removed as required. Facilities 23 and 24 for attaching to external parts are provided on the outer surface of the base members 1 and 2. The facilities for attaching to external parts may be in the form of places for screw fastening or welding or in the form of levers. FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 show the facilities 23 and 24 for attaching to external parts that are implemented as holes for fastening of levers. FIGS. 4 and 5 show the facilities in the form of levers.

[0034] The gym machine-damper operates as follows. At the preliminary stage the cavity chambers 4 are filled with working fluid. A patient or sportsman takes the levers by hands and moves them apart and together in turn. At that the base members 1 and 2 revolve against each other together with the partitions 10 and 11. At that the volume of one chamber decreases with a corresponding increase in internal pressure and the volume of another chamber increases with a corresponding decrease in pressure. Fluid from the chamber with increased pressure flows into the chamber with reduced pressure via the transfer hole 17 or 18. The force required to move the levers apart and together and hence the load force affecting muscles of the patient or sportsman may be regulated by the screws 19, 20 depending on viscosity of working fluid and the cross section of the transfer hole. At that the amount of effort upon movements will be the same both in one direction and the opposite direction. It enables training of opposite sets of muscles. When the partitions are provided with valve devices 21 and 22, which are directed towards each other, it is possible to obtain ‘idle’ running and ‘working’ running that is the movement in one direction will be accompanied by opening of the valves (ease movement) and the movement in the opposite direction will be at the closed valves (on-load). When only one lever is required for training the idle base member may be fixed to an unmovable support. In this case an embodiment of the damper with one base member which is made unmovable in regards to the axle will be advisable.

[0035] The gym machine-damper has the following advantages: versatility, reliability and possibility to regulate loads without device retrofitting. In gym machines with two partitions an angle of rotation of the base members may be up to 270°. At that overloading and traumatization of patients are impossible. When a sportsman trains with the use of bench pressing exercises and feels that his muscles are tired there is no need to hold a barbell some time for preventing its falling, he simply releases the levers.

[0036] When a larger load is required a torsional or compression spring may be easily installed between the levers. When loads shall be controlled a pressure transducer (it is clear that for this purpose the gym machine shall comprise a special hole) may be easily set into a gym machine or movement pickup or acceleration transducer may be easily installed on the outer surface of the base member. Pickup data may be transmitted to any recording devices or monitor displays.

[0037] The disclosed damper design may operate for the purpose specified as a device for dampening energy of mechanical vibrations and absorbing of shocks and impacts exerted by moving elements. Generally, several partitions and additional torsional and compression springs are used in dampers intended for transport vehicles. At that the dampers operate in the same way as described above. The disclosed damper design that operates in the same way as described above is used to open and close door wings. Valve devices 21, 22 are installed towards each other in the damper partitions. In opening they operate in the idle mode and in closing-in the operating mode holding back the closing wings.