Bearing with spherical rotational damping

Abstract

A damping bearing () provides relative rotations between first and second subassemblies about a point (). The first subassembly includes a fluid containment vessel (C,D) containing a fluid (). The second subassembly includes a plunger () with a fluid deformation element (B) immersed in the fluid. The relative rotations are damped by viscosity of the fluid resisting motions of the fluid deformation element. Damping is especially effective in multiple planes containing a given line (or) through the point (). The plunger may have rotational symmetry, and may be cylindrical about the given line. Lateral fluid bounding surfaces (D) of the containment vessel may be spherical about the point, or may be shaped to provide clearance to the deformation element that varies with angular displacement between the first and second subassemblies to provide a predetermined damping profile.