RATE CONTROLLABLE DAMPING MECHANISM

摘要

A rate controllable damping mechanism (10) is disclosed. The mechanism includes a chamber disposed within a housing (15); an element (11) mounted for movement within the chamber; a damping material (13), preferably a low melting temperature metal alloy, in the chamber for preventing the movement of the element at a first temperature and for damping the movement of the element at a second temperature; and a heater (21) for selectively increasing the temperature of the damping material from the first temperature to the second temperature. Controlled damping is effectuated by heating the fluid material until it reaches a molten state at which the resultant fluid damps the movement of the element in a conventional manner. A novel method is also disclosed for structural stress relief.