VISCOUS DAMPER ASSEMBLY HAVING LOCKOUT FUNCTION

Abstract

A hydraulic damping assembly includes a housing having a first moving end and a second opposing fixed end. A lockout assembly disposed at the fixed end of the housing includes at least one lockout pin that is configured to selectively occlude an orifice extending into at least one fluidic circuit interconnecting various hydraulic chambers of the damper.

Claims

1. A hydraulic damper assembly comprising: a housing having an interior, a first end and a second opposing end wherein the first end is configured for attachment to a fixed support and the second end is configured for attachment to a structure under load; a hollow cylindrical tube axially disposed within the housing interior; a piston assembly axially movable within the interior of the hollow cylinder, the piston assembly including a piston and a piston rod extending from the second end of the housing, the piston defining variably sized adjacent chambers within the hollow cylindrical tube, each chamber being filled with a hydraulic fluid; a first end assembly sealingly fitted to the first end of the housing and a second end assembly sealingly fitted to the second end of the housing, the second end assembly including a sealed opening through which the piston assembly translatably moves; a fluidic circuit comprising fluid passages defined in each of the first and second end assemblies and a tubular member axially disposed between the exterior of the hollow cylindrical tube and an inner surface of the housing, the fluidic circuit interconnecting each of the adjacent chambers and configured for moving fluid between the chambers based on movement of the piston assembly under load; and a lockout assembly disposed within the first end assembly, the lockout assembly including at least one pin member that is adjustably movable to selectively occlude a fluid passage of the fluidic circuit.

2. The hydraulic damper assembly as recited in claim 1, including an accumulator disposed about at least a portion of the exterior of the cylindrical tube within a defined spacing.

3. The hydraulic damper assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one pin member includes a tapered portion that is configured to seat within the end of a passage supporting the pin member to selectively occlude at least a portion of the fluid passage.

4. The hydraulic damper assembly as recited in claim 3, wherein the at least one pin includes a threaded portion that is configured to engage corresponding threads in a passage supporting the pin member.

5. The hydraulic damper assembly as recited in claim 4, wherein the at least one pin member is adjustably movable in a passage defined in the first end assembly, a portion of the passage being part of the fluidic circuit.

6. The hydraulic damper assembly as recited in claim 5, wherein fluid is configured to flow about the exterior of the pin member when the tapered portion is not seated.

7. The hydraulic damper assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the piston includes a plurality of axial orifices extending therethrough, each of the axial orifices having a check valve configured to limit flow between the adjacent chambers.

8. The hydraulic damper assembly as recited in claim 2, wherein the first end assembly includes a first set including at least one fluid passage of the fluidic circuit and a second set including at least one axial passage that is configured to move fluid from a hydraulic chamber to and from the spaced opening, including the accumulator.

9. The hydraulic damper assembly as recited in claim 8, in which each of the first and second set of fluid passages in the first end assembly are configured to move fluid in which a portion of hydraulic fluid contained in one of the hydraulic chambers is moved into the fluidic circuit via the first set and another portion of hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic chamber is moved into the spaced opening when the piston assembly is moved in a predetermined direction under load.

10. The hydraulic damper assembly as recited in claim 9, wherein the first end includes a third set of axial passages that permit fluid to flow from the spaced opening to the hydraulic chamber when the load is relieved, each of the third set of axial passages including a valve to permit one way movement of fluid.

11. The hydraulic damper assembly as recited in claim 9, in which the lockout assembly includes a first adjustable pin member configured to selectively occlude flow in the hydraulic circuit and a second adjustable pin member configured to selectively occlude flow relative to the defined spacing having the accumulator.

12. A method for manufacturing a hydraulic damping assembly, the method comprising: providing a housing having an interior, a first end and a second opposing end wherein the first end is configured for attachment to a fixed support and the second end is configured for attachment to a structure under load; disposing a hollow cylindrical tube within the housing interior; disposing a piston assembly within the interior of the hollow cylinder, the piston assembly including a piston and a piston rod extending from the second end of the housing, the piston defining variably sized adjacent chambers within the hollow cylindrical tube, each chamber being filled with a hydraulic fluid; providing a first end assembly sealingly fitted to the first end of the housing and a second end assembly sealingly fitted to the second end of the housing, the second end assembly including a sealed opening through which the piston assembly translatably moves; providing a fluidic circuit comprising fluid passages defined in each of the first and second end assemblies and a tubular member axially disposed between the exterior of the hollow cylindrical tube and an inner surface of the housing, the fluidic circuit interconnecting each of the adjacent chambers and configured for moving fluid between the chambers based on movement of the piston assembly under load; and providing a lockout assembly disposed within the first end assembly, the lockout assembly including at least one pin member that is adjustably movable to selectively occlude a fluid passage of the fluidic circuit.

13. The method as recited in claim 12, further comprising the step of disposing an accumulator about at least a portion of the exterior of the cylindrical tube within a defined spacing.

14. The method as recited in claim 13, wherein the first end assembly includes a first set of passages including at least one fluid passage of the fluidic circuit and a second set of passages including at least one axial passage that is configured to move fluid from a hydraulic chamber to and from the spaced opening, including the accumulator.

15. The method as recited in claim 14, in which each of the first and second set of fluid passages in the first end assembly are configured to move fluid in which a portion of hydraulic fluid contained in one of the hydraulic chambers is moved into the fluidic circuit via the first set and another portion of hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic chamber is moved into the spaced opening when the piston assembly is moved in a predetermined direction under load.

16. The method as recited in claim 15, wherein the first end includes a third set of passages including at least one axial passage that permits fluid to flow from the spaced opening to the hydraulic chamber when the load is relieved, each of the third set of passages including a valve to permit one way movement of fluid.

17. The method as recited in claim 15, in which the lockout assembly includes a first adjustable pin member configured to selectively occlude flow in the hydraulic circuit and a second adjustable pin member configured to selectively occlude flow relative to the defined spacing having the accumulator.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hydraulic damping assembly made in accordance with the prior art;

[0017] FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the prior art hydraulic damping assembly of FIG. 1, shown in section;

[0018] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a hydraulic damper assembly in accordance with an exemplary embodiment;

[0019] FIG. 4(a) is a side elevational view of the hydraulic damper assembly of FIG. 3, taken in section;

[0020] FIG. 4(b) is an enlarged sectioned view of an end portion of the hydraulic damper assembly of FIG. 3;

[0021] FIG. 4(c) is an enlarged sectioned view of an opposing end portion of the hydraulic damper assembly of FIGS. 3-4(b);

[0022] FIG. 5(a) is a side elevational view of the hydraulic damper assembly of FIG. 4(a), this view being rotated 90 degrees about the primary axis of the damper assembly;

[0023] FIG. 5(b) is an enlarged sectioned view of a portion of the hydraulic damper assembly of FIG. 5(a);

[0024] FIG. 6(a) is another the side elevational view of the hydraulic damper assembly of FIG. 3, with the piston assembly being moved into a compressed mode of operation;

[0025] FIG. 6(b) is an enlarged view of an end portion of the hydraulic damper assembly of FIG. 6(a);

[0026] FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the hydraulic damper assembly, shown in section and rotated about 45 degrees relative to that of FIG. 5(a); and

[0027] FIG. 8 is a partial end view of the hydraulic damping assembly of FIGS. 3-7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] The following relates to an exemplary hydraulic damper (also referred to throughout as a damper assembly or damping assembly) that can be configured for use under both linear and non-linear loading conditions. As discussed herein, the damping assembly includes at least one lockout feature that permits easier adjustment than prior versions and in which the damper assembly is configured to provide adequate damping in tension, as well as compression modes of operation for a tunable mass or other structure. It will be understood that the specific application for the herein described assembly and related method can be suitably varied. In addition, certain terms are used throughout in order to provide a suitable frame of reference in regard to the accompanying drawings. These terms, which include inner, outer, distal, proximal interior, exterior and the like are not intended to narrow the overall scope of the invention, including the claims, and should not be so interpreted unless expressly specified.

[0029] As used herein, the terms about or approximately for any numerical values or ranges indicate a suitable dimensional tolerance that allows the part or collection of components to function for its intended purpose, as described herein. More specifically, about or approximately may refer to the range of values not at least 20% of the recited value. Also throughout the course of discussion, the terms above and below are not limiting with regard to absolute orientation.

[0030] It should further be noted that the accompanying drawings are not necessarily presented to scale and therefore no narrowing interpretation should be made in terms of dimensions that have been depicted.

[0031] As used herein, the singular forms a, an and the are intended to further include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0032] The terms comprise, comprises, comprising, as used herein, are intended to imply that additional elements may be included and that a set of elements having any of these terms used in connection therewith connotes a minimum number that can be readily expanded.

[0033] The terms include, includes and including, as used herein, are intended to cover the same scope as the terms comprise, comprises and comprising, noted above.

[0034] Referring to the figures and more specifically to FIG. 3, there is shown a damper 100 (also referred to throughout as a damper assembly) that is made in accordance with an embodiment. The damper 100 is defined by a cylindrical or other suitably shaped housing 104 having an interior 108, FIG. 4(a), that is sized and configured to retain a plurality of components, as discussed herein. The assembly 100 is defined by a first end 112 that is configured to be attached to a fixed support (not shown) and an oppositely second end 116 that supports a piston assembly 128 configured to be movably attached to a mass (not shown). Each of the first and second ends 112, 116 further include a clevis 120, 122 that is configured to enable attachment of the damper 100 to the fixed support and the mass or other structure under load (each not shown). Each clevis 120, 122 according to this embodiment can include a spherical bearing 124 that is retained within a transverse center opening 125 of the clevis 120, 122.

[0035] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4(a), the piston assembly 128 includes a piston rod 132 and piston 136 configured for axial movement within the interior 108 of the housing 104 of the damper 100. The piston rod 132 extends from the second end 116 of the damper 100, including a proximal end 138 that is fixedly secured to the clevis 122 and a distal end 140 that retains the piston 136. The piston rod 132 extends through a sealed center opening 145 formed through a bearing retainer 144, the latter being fixedly mounted to the second end 116 of the housing 104. The piston assembly 128 is sized to move within a defined chamber within the housing 104 filled with a hydraulic fluid, the chamber being defined by a coaxially mounted hollow shock tube 148 that extends along the entire axial span of the housing 104.

[0036] An accumulator 150, made from foam or other suitable material, is further disposed about the majority of the exterior of the shock tube 148 with the exception of a circumferential portion thereof. The accumulator 150 is attached to the exterior of the shock tube 148 using suitable adhesives or other securing means, such as tie wraps, and is disposed between the inner surface of the cylindrical housing 104 and the exterior surface of the shock tube 148. The thickness of the accumulator 150 permits a small amount of radial clearance therebetween. The circumferential portion of the shock tube 148 that is not covered by the accumulator 150 defines a channel 151 extending over the axial span of the damper 100 that enables the placement of a portion of a hydraulic fluid loop circuit and more specifically a tubular member 153. Each of the channel 151 and the tubular member 153 can be better seen with reference to FIG. 8. The channel 151 is sized to receive the tubular member 153, which also axially spans the housing 104 and is configured to move hydraulic fluid.

[0037] With reference to FIGS. 4(a) and 4(c), the cylinder end assembly 156 fitted within the first end 112 of the damper housing 104 is a unitary body made from a structural material that includes a shoulder 160 formed on an inner facing end 164 that engages an end of the shock tube 148, as well as one edge of the accumulator 150. The clevis 120 is either integral with this assembly 156 or can be a separate component fixedly secured to an outer facing side thereof using fasteners or other suitable means.

[0038] With reference to FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b), the bearing retainer 144 fitted at the second end 116 of the damper housing 104 also includes a shoulder 146 formed on an inner facing end 149 to similarly engages an opposing end of the shock tube 148 and edge of the accumulator 150. At least one sealing member 152, such as an elastomeric ring, is disposed within an annular groove or notch formed on the exterior of the body of the bearing retainer 144. When seated, the extending portion of the sealing member 152 is placed in compressive contact with the internal surface of the housing 104. The shock tube 148 can be secured in place to each of the bearing retainer 144 and the cylinder end assembly 156, FIG. 4(c), using set screws (not shown) or other suitable means to enable securement of the components in place.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 4(a), a portion of the interior of the housing 104 within the shock tube 148 through which the piston assembly 128 moves in an axial fashion (between the piston 136 and the bearing retainer 144) is herein referred to as a tension chamber 210, while the remainder of the interior 108 of the housing 104 that is formed within the shock tube 148 is referred to throughput as the compression chamber 218. The axial length and volume of the tension chamber 210 and the compression chamber 218 are variable based on the movement of the piston assembly 128, as discussed herein wherein the adopted nomenclature is useful for purposes of describing the operation of the damper 100.

[0040] With reference to the sectioned views FIGS. 4(a), 4(b) and 4(c), each of the bearing retainer 144 and the cylinder end assembly 156 according to this embodiment includes a plurality of formed passages that permit the ingress and egress of hydraulic fluid to and from the tension chamber 210 and compression chamber 218. This series of formed passages, as described herein, along with the tubular member 153, combine to define a continuous hydraulic loop or circuit.

[0041] Referring first to FIG. 4(b), the inner facing side 149 of the bearing retainer 144 includes an axial passage 147 that partially extends into the body of the bearing retainer 144. This axial passage 147, as discussed herein, engages one end 155 of the tubular fluid member 153, the end 155 being configured with a laterally extending portion that interconnects with the end of the axial passage 147. As shown, the axial passage 147 is fluidically coupled to the tension chamber 210.

[0042] Referring to FIG. 4(c) and at the opposite fixed end 112 of the assembly 100, an axial passage 170 extends inwardly from the inner facing end 164 of the cylinder end assembly 156 to the distal end of a lateral passage 176 that is configured and sized to retain an adjustably fitted lockout pin 180. Another similarly formed axial passage 184 extends from an intermediate portion of the lateral passage 176. The latter axial passage 184 extends toward the inner facing end 164 and is interconnected with the opposing end 185 of the tubular member 153 disposed between the outer surface of the shock tube 148 and the inner surface of the housing 104 within the channel 151. This end 185 of the tubular member 153 extends laterally into the cylinder end assembly 156 and directly into the axial passage 184 at an intermediate portion thereof. Though the axial passage 184, as shown, fully extends to the inner facing end 164 of the cylinder end assembly 156, this configuration is based on that ability to adequately form the passage 184. To prevent fluid from directly passing into the end of the axial passage to or from the compression chamber 218 without regulating, the end of the axial passage 184 retains a plug 187 or is otherwise sealed. As a result and in operation, only the axial passage 170 is fluidically coupled to the compression chamber 218. Passage of hydraulic fluid into and from the compression chamber 218 via the axial passage 184, on the other hand, is prevented.

[0043] Still referring to FIG. 4(c), the upper portion of the adjustable lockout pin 180 above the axial fluid passage 184 according to this exemplary embodiment includes a set of threads (not shown) that engage a corresponding set of threads (not shown) provided on the interior of an upper axial portion of the lateral passage 176. A hex head 181 is provided at the upper (proximal) end of the lockout pin 180 to permit adjustment. The opposing distal end of the pin 180 includes a tapered portion 182 that is sized to seat and occlude the axial passage 170 when suitably adjusted by a user, as discussed in greater detail below. In the meantime, the outer diameter of the adjustable lockout pin 180 along the lateral passage 176 is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the lockout pin 180, thereby allowing hydraulic fluid to pass around the lockout pin 180 when the damper assembly 100 is in operation, and as discussed in greater detail below. Sealing features, such as O-rings or other elastomeric sealing members, are provided between the threaded portion at the proximal end of the lockout pin 180 and the intermediate axial passage 184 in order to prevent fluid leakage.

[0044] As noted, the foregoing structure defines a continuous hydraulic loop or circuit that is formed and fluidically coupled to the tension chamber 210 and the compression chamber 218 and in which fluid is moved based on the movement of the piston assembly 128, FIG. 4(a).

[0045] Before discussing the operation of the damper 100 and referring to FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b), sectioned views are additionally provided that are 90 degrees rotated about the primary axis 101 of the damper 100 to better illustrate additional features of the cylinder end assembly 156, in particular. As shown most specifically in FIG. 5(b), another axial passage 190 extends from the inner facing end 164 of the cylinder end assembly 156 toward the clevis 120 and terminates at the distal end of a laterally extending passage 194 that retains an adjustable lockout pin 197. A portion of the laterally extending passage 194 is configured for movement of hydraulic fluid including about the exterior of an axial portion of the lockout pin 197 and extending to a formed intermediate axial passage 198 that extends toward the inner facing side 164. A lateral fluid passage 202 extends from the intermediate axial passage 198 into the outer spacing that includes the accumulator 150 circumferentially and axially spanning the damper 100. According to this exemplary version, though the axial passage 198 as depicted extends to the inner facing end 164 of the cylinder end assembly 156, the end retains a plug 205. As a result, hydraulic fluid will be permitted to pass to and from the compression chamber 218 via the axial passage 190, but not via the axial passage 198.

[0046] Similar to the adjustable lockout pin 180 previously described, the adjustable lockout pin 197 according to this embodiment includes a set of threads adjacent the proximal end thereof that engage a corresponding set of threads similarly formed within the lateral passage 194. In addition, the lockout pin 197 further includes a hex head 199 to permit threaded adjustment and the distal end of the lockout pin 197 includes a tapered portion 201 that is sized to seat and occlude the axial passage 190 when suitably adjusted by a user. To prevent leakage of hydraulic fluid, sealing features such as O-rings or other suitable members, are provided between the intermediate axial passage 198 and the threaded portion at the proximal end of the lockout pin 197.

[0047] When assembled, each of the tension chamber 210, the compression chamber 218 and the tubular channel 153 formed between the shock tube 148 and the housing 104 is filled with a hydraulic fluid using a fill plug (not shown). The cylinder end assembly 156, the piston assembly 128 and the bearing retainer 144 each contain respective seals that prevent fluid leakage from the damper 104, either statically or during operation.

[0048] Loading conditions can occur that place the damper 100 in either a tension mode with the piston assembly 128 moving toward the end 116 or a compression mode in which the piston assembly 128 moves axially toward the fixed end 112 of the assembly 100. Referring first to FIGS. 4(a)-4(c), the operation of the damper assembly 100 in a tension mode is herein described. As noted, the piston assembly 128, and more specifically the piston rod 132, is caused to extend outwardly and axially from the damper housing 104 as the piston rod 132 moves through the sealed center opening 145 of the bearing retainer 144. As this axial movement occurs, hydraulic fluid contained within the tension chamber 210 is displaced under force into the axial passage 147 defined within the bearing retainer 144. This displaced hydraulic fluid is further directed under the force produced by the piston assembly 128 through the tubular member 153 provided between the shock tube 148 and the housing 104 and then through the various passages 185, 184, 176 and 170 formed within the cylinder end assembly 156. The displaced hydraulic fluid is moved as an annulus about the exterior of the adjustable lockout pin 180 in the passage 176 wherein the hydraulic fluid exits the axial passage 170 into the compression chamber 218, whose volume is increased as a result of the axial movement of the piston assembly 128 and decreased volume of the adjacent tension chamber 210. The movement of fluid creates a suitable damping force as the piston assembly 128 is retracted through the tension chamber 210.

[0049] Discussion is now made regarding the compression mode of operation of the herein described damper 100 wherein the piston assembly 128, including the piston rod 132, is moved through the sealed center opening 145 of the bearing retainer 144 toward the first or fixed end 112. In this embodiment and due to the volume occupied by the piston rod 132, the hydraulic fluid in the compression chamber 218 has a higher effective area than the hydraulic fluid in the adjacent tension chamber 210. As a result, the piston 136 is provided with a number of axial orifices 220, FIG. 6(b), that extend therethrough, each of the orifices 220 (herein referred to as balancing orifices) having check valves 224 that are configured only to permit the flow of hydraulic fluid therethrough when in the compression mode of operation. According to this exemplary embodiment, two (2) equally spaced orifices 220 are provided, though this parameter can be suitably varied. That is to say and due to differential pressure between the adjacent hydraulic chambers 210, 218 in the tension mode of operation, hydraulic fluid is prevented from moving from the compression chamber 218 into the tension chamber 210 through the balancing orifices 220.

[0050] Reference is herein made to FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b). Contained hydraulic fluid in the compression chamber 218 is displaced due to the piston force acting on the hydraulic fluid in the compression chamber 218. As a result, a portion of this hydraulic fluid is forced into the axial passage 170 formed in the cylinder end assembly 156, about the retained lockout pin 180 and through each of the passages 184, 185 including the interconnected tubular member 153 of the defined hydraulic loop or circuit. The displaced hydraulic fluid exits the axial passage 147 to fill the tension chamber 210 as the piston assembly 128 is moved toward the cylinder end assembly 156.

[0051] With reference to FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b), another portion of the displaced hydraulic fluid is caused to pass through the axial passage 190, and the various fluidic passages of the sealed cylinder end assembly 156; that is, through the lateral passage 194 and about the exterior of the adjustable lockout pin 197, the intermediate axial passage 198 and lateral passage 202 into the circumferential and axial space occupied by the accumulator 150. This portion of the hydraulic fluid must also be moved in order to accommodate the larger sized compression chamber 218 and the volume of the extending piston rod 132, which remains in the tension chamber 210.

[0052] Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8 and according to this specific embodiment, at least one set of check valves 240 are additionally provided within another corresponding set of axial passages 238 formed in the body of the cylinder end assembly 156 to enable hydraulic fluid from the accumulator 150 to be displaced back into the compression chamber 218 when the tension mode of operation of the herein described damper assembly 100 is resumed. As shown more clearly in FIG. 8, a total of four (4) axial passages 238 with corresponding check valves 240 being provided at 90 degree increments according to this exemplary embodiment. This parameter can be suitably varied, for example, depending on the diameter of the orifice of the axial passages 238. The check valves 240 prevent hydraulic fluid from entering any of the axial passages 238 during the compression mode of operation.

[0053] With reference to FIGS. 4(c), 5(b), and 6(b), and in order to adjust the herein described damper 100 for lockout, the adjustable lockout pin 180 can be axially adjusted by engagement of the hex head 181 which produces threaded movement of the pin 180 and enables the extending distal end of the lockout pin 180, and more specifically the tapered portion 182 to be wholly advanced to wholly block the axial passage 170. In similar fashion, the hex head 199 of the adjustable lockout pin 197 can be similarly engaged using an appropriate sized tool (e.g., wrench) to axially advance the pin 197 and the tapered distal portion 201 to occlude the axial passage 190. This adjustment prevents hydraulic fluid from movement within the defined hydraulic fluid circuit in either mode (compression or tension) of operation. Preferably, both lockout pins 180, 197 are adjusted in order to provide this latter function.

[0054] Similar adjustments can be made to partially occlude the axial passages 170, 190 using the adjustable lockout pins 180, 197 and thereby adjust or fine-tune the damping constant of the herein described damper assembly 100 in order to optimize overall performance of the assembly.

[0055] It will be readily apparent that numerous modifications and variations can be made within the inventive concepts that are described herein, including the following appended claims of this application.