Motion damper

Claim 2

In a two stage motion damper, the combination comprising a. a member movable in opposite directions, b. friction means engaging a side face of said member to develop damping force restraining said movement relative to the friction means and parallel to said face, c. yieldable means transmitting primary force urging said friction means into said engagement with said member side face, and d. a fluid pressure responsive actuator operable at selected times to develop additional force acting to urge said friction means relatively into engagement with said member, the actuator including a plunger through which said primary force is transmitted to said friction means.

Claim 3

The combination of claim 1 wherein said friction means comprises at least two friction elements engaging opposite faces of said member, said yieldable means comprising a stack of Belleville washers at one side of the plunger, one of the friction elements being carried at the opposite side thereof.

Claim 4

The combination of claim 1 wherein said member includes spaced, parallel sections, and said friction means comprises elements engaging opposite faces of each section.

Claim 5

In a two stage motion damper, the combination comprising a. a member movable in opposite directions, b. friction means engaging a side of said member to develop damping force restraining said movement, c. yieldable means transmitting force urging said friction means into engagement with said member, and d. a fluid pressure responsive actuator operable at selected times to develop additional force acting to urge said friction means relatively into engagement with said member, e. said member including spaced, parallel sections, and said friction means comprises elements engaging opposite faces of each section, there being body structure supporting one of said elements, the actuator including a plunger supporting a second of said elements, and a third of said elements projecting between said sections, and including means connecting said third element to said body structure to accommodate floating of said third element in a direction normal to said member movement.

Claim 6

In a two stage motion damper, the combination comprising a. a member movable in opposite directions, b. friction means engaging a side of said member to develop damping force restraining said movement, c. yieldable means transmitting force urging said friction means into engagement with said member, and d. a fluid pressure responsive actuator operable at selected times to develop additional force acting to urge said friction means relatively into engagement with said member, e. said member including spaced, parallel sections, and said friction means comprises elements engaging opposite faces of each section, there being body structure supporting one of said elements, the actuator including a plunger supporting a second of said elements, and a third of said elements projecting between said sections, and including means connecting said third element to said body structure to accommodate floating of said third element in a direction normal to said member movement.

Claim 7

The combination of claim 4 wherein said last named means includes a plate projecting between said sections and floatably supporting said third element, and a connEctor supporting said plate and attached to said body structure.

Claim 8

The combination of claim 4 wherein said actuator includes a cylinder telescopically fitting said plunger which is located between said yieldable means and said friction means.

Claim 9

The combination of claim 6 including connectors holding said body structure and cylinder in assembled relation at opposite sides of said sections, and said yieldable means being confined between said cylinder and said plunger.

Claim 10

The combination of claim 1 including means responsive to extreme motion of said member to effect transmission of increased fluid pressure to said actuator to develop said additional force.

Claim 11

The combination of claim 8 including a helicopter rotor connected with said member to transmit said movement thereto.

Claim 12

The combination of claim 7 including spacers on said connectors and between which said member is confined for said movement.