Patent ID: 6193223
Filing Date: 2001-02-27
Classification: F16F

Abstract:
A hydraulic strut for mounting a movable structure to a support structure, the hydraulic strut comprising:an outer telescoping member having an outer cylinder and a mount for securing the outer cylinder to one of the movable structure and the supporting structure, the outer telescoping member further having a first hydraulic reservoir within the outer cylinder and a second hydraulic reservoir within the outer cylinder;an auxiliary piston which traverses within the first hydraulic reservoir in a longitudinal direction, the auxiliary piston including a front side and a back side, wherein the first hydraulic reservoir is vented to allow air from outside of the strut to reach the back side of the auxiliary piston such that movement of the auxiliary piston is not impeded by the creation of a partial vacuum behind the auxiliary piston;a fluid flow restrictor between the first and second hydraulic reservoirs for controlling the rate of flow of hydraulic fluid between the first and second hydraulic reservoirs in response to the direction of fluid flow; andan inner telescoping member having a mount for securing the inner telescoping member to the other of the movable structure and the supporting structure, the inner telescoping member including a main piston that translates within the second hydraulic reservoir between a closed position, wherein the inner telescoping member is fully retracted into the outer telescoping member, and an open position, wherein the inner telescoping member is fully extended from the outer telescoping member.