Patent ID: 6672575
Filing Date: 2004-01-06
Classification: F16F

Abstract:
A surface effect damper comprising: a housing having a smooth rigid housing inner wall that defines a chamber with said chamber housing wall being protrusion free, the housing having a first end, a second end and an axis; at least one contact element movable through the chamber along said protrusion free chamber housing wall and between the housing ends in a first direction and in a second direction; and at least two damping elements substantially surrounding each contact element, each of the at least two damping elements being movable away from the axis and into frictional engagement with the protrusion free chamber housing wall as the at least one contact element is moved in a first direction and each of the at least two damping elements being movable toward the axis as the at least one contact element is moved in a second direction wherein the contact elements are made integral with a rod.