Lord Corporation

C Kenneth Siwek

Wallace C Flower

Gene D Garn

A dual-rate surface effect damper with extended useful life. The dual rate is provided by two cylindrical liners which have different inner diameters which engage a damping piston having protrusions which have an interference fit with the liner. Features which extended life include heat dissipative elements such as internal and external fins, a convective heat transfer path for cooling air through the piston and a lubricant of MoS.sub.2 dispersed in a Teflon.RTM.-filled flurosilicone. Maintaining the temperature of the elastomer below about 200.degree. F. (93.3.degree. C.) is critical to avoiding thermal breakdown. In addition, the elastomer and metallic surfaces can undergo a surface treatment to reduce their tendency to abraid and to cause abrasion, respectively.

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Erie, PA, United States of America

C Kenneth Siwek