Process for increasing the wearlife or surface effect dampers

摘要

A dual-rate surface effect damper (10) with extended useful life. The dual rate is provided by two cylindrical liners (32,34) which have different inner diameters which engage a damping piston (12) having protrusions which have an interference fit with the liner (32,34). Features which extended life include heat dissipative elements such as internal (14) and external (24) fins, a convective heat transfer path for cooling air through the piston and a lubricant of MoS2 dispersed in a Teflon TM -filled flurosilicone. Maintaining the temperature of the elastomer below about 200 DEG F (93.3 DEG C) is critical to avoiding thermal breakdown. In addition, the elastomer and metallic surfaces can undergo a surface treatment to reduce their tendency to abrade and to cause abrasion, respectively.