Patent ID: 7967116
Filing Date: 2011-06-28
Classification: F16F,G05D,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A linear rate control device having a substantially constant velocity characteristic over an applied load range, said device comprising: an outer cylinder having a first end, a second end and defining an interior chamber having a longitudinal axis and containing a hydraulic fluid; a piston including a piston rod having a proximal end and a distal end and a piston head mounted to said proximal end and slidably positionable within said interior chamber, said piston rod extending longitudinally along the longitudinal axis of said interior chamber from said proximal end through the first end of said outer cylinder to said distal end, said piston head defining an interior cavity; a rate control valve disposed within the interior cavity of said piston head coaxially with the longitudinal axis of said interior chamber, said rate control valve including a fixed flow rate orifice disposed in series relationship with respect to fluid flow through said rate control valve with a variable flow rate orifice defined by positioning of said rate control valve within said piston head, said rate control valve being in an open configuration nominally.