Barry Wright Corporation

Terrence P Dowell

Edwin L Banks, Jr

Carl T Luce

Acceleration initiated, velocity limiting self-actuating mechanical relative motion, controlling device having a pair of elements telescopically interconnected for relative motion with respect to each other with a braking surface preferably as an integral part of one of the elements and an interconnecting assembly for converting linear relative displacements of the elements to rotary motion of the internally supported braking mechanism comprising a primary brake assembly preferably coupled to increase mechanical gain and movable into engagement with the braking surface, a freely rotating first mass element to provide relative motion sensitivity, a brake actuating assembly coupling the mass element and the primary brake assembly for causing same to impede relative linear motion of the elements and a velocity sensitive braking assembly actuatable at a given angular velocity to impede rotation of the same element and thereby increase and sustain the braking force applied by the primary brake assembly. The preferred embodiment also includes a secondary mass element rotatably supported on the first mass element for movement with respect to same for prolonging the application of the brake actuating assembly against the primary brake assembly by impeding rebound of the brake actuating assembly from the primary brake assembly after initial contact.

Snubber assembly

A thrust bearing adapted for high and low pressure loading for supporting an end of a shaft for rotation about its longitudinal axis comprising a ball bearing confined in concentric relation at the end of the shaft to be supported and a part recessed into the end of the shaft which rests against the ball bearing structured to dissipate heat and of a composition such that at high loads and high velocity, it functions as a solid lubricant and at low loads and low velocity, it functions as a solid.

Thrust bearing

A snubber apparatus having a pair of elements telescopically interconnected for relative movement with respect to each other through a ball nut or lead screw device, a braking surface on one of the elements, an inertia mass driven by the other of the elements, a support for the brake shoe and a lever coupled to the inertia mass and pivotally coupled to the support for urging the shoe against the braking surface.

Mechanical snubbing device with inertia actuated braking means

A snubber apparatus which is constructed to present a high resistance to acceleration of the end fittings with respect to each other such as might occur due to seismic motion. The snubber apparatus preferably comprises a device which converts linear to rotary motion such as a ball screw and ball nut assembly which drives an inertia mass through a brake set and which when rotating causes braking to occur to increase the resistance force on the ball screw and ball nut assembly thus translating rotational resistance to linear resistance. The snubber apparatus is useful in restraining power plant piping, etc., in locations where earthquakes would be expected to occur.

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Van Nuys, CA, United States of America

Terrence P Dowell