Special shock absorbers
Industrial shock absorbers, vibration absorbers, special shock absorbers and fluid-elastomer shock absorbers / COMPENSER®
LEBEN offers various types of shock absorbers (vibration absorbers, special shock absorbers and fluid-elastomer shock absorbers) in individual production or small series according to individual customer requirements and custom designs.
Tension/compression shock absorbers
This custom design from LEBEN-Dämpfungstechnik GmbH acts as a hydraulic shock absorber in both the direction of tension and the direction of compression. The energy-dissipating effect of the industrial shock absorber occurs in both directions.
Operating principle:
As a purely hydraulic variant (TwinStroke®):
- hydraulically reversible in the direction of compression via the damping medium
- hydraulically reversible in the direction of tension via the damping medium
The TwinStroke® damps tension and compression forces without additional functional elements. A piston system transfers the tension and compression forces gas-hydraulically to different gas and oil chambers. This allows any load to be absorbed immediately without idle stroke, so-called “play,” and with low wear. The TwinStroke is very effective at absorbing alternating loads.
The smaller size and lower weight are advantageous, as only one element is required to absorb compression and tension forces. Furthermore, this design is more cost-effective than a comparable two-element system, as a mechanical friction spring in the direction of tension can be omitted. If necessary, this hydraulic buffer can be easily replaced.
Structure:
As a hydraulic variant in combination with a mechanical spring:
- hydraulically reversible in the direction of compression via the damping medium
- mechanically reversible in the direction of tension via the friction spring
Additionally, the buffer is equipped with return stroke damping to avoid impermissible force peaks in the direction of tension.
Hydrostatic / Visco-elastic / Fluid-elastomer shock absorbers
Impact reduction elements from LEBEN-Dämpfungstechnik GmbH with an integrated spring-damping principle, known as hydrostatic, visco-elastic, elasto-fluid shock absorbers or fluid-elastomer buffers.
We offer these types in the direction of compression (series designation “ED”) and/or in the direction of tension (series “EZ”).
In general, our fluid-elastomer buffers consist of the following main components: container (cylinder), filling-preload with a compressible fluid, high-pressure sealing system, piston, piston rod, and guide bearing.
Variable parameters include the volume of the cylinder, diameter of the piston and piston rod, preload force, and throttling effect, ensuring the visco-elastic spring-shock absorber optimally meets the application requirements.
Advantage:
- Use in the direction of tension and direction of compression (“tension and compression”)
- variable characteristic curve (linear, progressive, nearly horizontal, or degressive)
- compact design with high energy absorption
- very high spring preload (individual retracting force of the piston rod depending on the application)
- integrated spring return without additional gas spring or mechanical coil spring
- high-viscosity elastomer fluid can increase leakage safety
- maintenance-free operation
Disadvantage:
- lower degree of dissipation than with the hydraulic operating principle (see C-Type and S-Type)
- high preload force of the spring may be problematic
- high filling pressure of the container can increase the risk of leakage
- operational load cycles at low speed are only possible with relatively high counter-forces, unlike the hydraulic principle (see C-Type and S-Type)
Special feature of the hydrostatic buffer shown:
- Total length of the shock absorber: 3.7 m
- Weight: approx. 1.4 t
- Application: hydrostatic buffer for damping a pre-tensioned cable catch system (tensioned safety cable in front of a lock).
Operating principle of the ED/EZ series:
High-viscosity, elastic fluids allow fluid-elastomer shock absorbers to be designed according to the principle of hydrostatic compression.
Suspension: The movement of the piston rod reduces the volume of the cylinder filled with silicone elastomer. The compression of the fluid leads to increased internal pressure and counteracts the movement of the piston. This is known as compressibility.
Damping: The movement of the piston creates a flow path (via throttle bores or an annular gap) along the piston. The reaction force of the piston due to laminar flow and viscosity depends on the speed of the movement.
Use as a buffer in:
Vibration absorber
Vibration absorbers are manufactured in various configurations at LEBEN-Dämpfungstechnik GmbH, custom-made according to individual customer requirements as special designs:
Single-tube vibration absorber:
For tension and compression damping in any mounting position.
The diameter dimension is as small as possible, while the overall length is increased.
Twin-tube vibration absorber:
For tension and compression damping. The mounting position is preferably vertical. The overall length is reduced compared to the single-tube shock absorber, but the diameter is increased. The damping characteristic can have a progressive or degressive curve for both types of design. (Detailed information on use and calculation can be found in the VDI guideline VDI 3833 Bl.1+2.)
Swivel piston shock absorber
Swivel piston shock absorbers are displacement shock absorbers with hydraulic flow resistance.
They are used to damp pendulum oscillations, e.g., pendulum shock absorbers for cable car cabins.
The design is customer-specific. Due to varying operating conditions, no standard version is possible.
(see also VDI guideline VDI 3833 Sheet 1)
Retrofit – replacement of various third-party brands
Based on many years of experience in the field of Damping Technology, LEBEN is often able to replace industrial shock absorbers from numerous other manufacturers with its own products, ensuring that the required damping characteristics and the dimensions of the shock absorber remain comparable.
The requested shock absorbers can be manufactured in various versions in individual production or small series according to individual customer requirements and custom designs.
Suspension strut
Suspension strut (gas-hydraulic shock absorber) from LEBEN-Dämpfungstechnik GmbH
Advantage:
- Use in the direction of tension and direction of compression (“tension and compression”)
- Compact design
- Variable preload force of the shock absorber
Use as a buffer in:
- Amphibious vehicles
- Underground shuttles
- …
Suspension strut shown:
- Damping of the independent suspension of an amphibious vehicle
Special feature:
- Regulation of spring stiffness while driving
- Nitrogen gas spring as a triple diaphragm accumulator
Various shock absorbers
Increasing demands on machines, vehicles, and production plants regarding speed and mass bring significant vibration problems. The resulting magnitudes of frequency and amplitude often exceed the capabilities of standard mass-produced shock absorbers. Space constraints or missing connection parts for existing systems also require modifications to the standard range. Through state-of-the-art design and manufacturing processes, LEBEN-Dämpfungstechnik GmbH possesses a high degree of flexibility and is therefore able to respond to special customer requests even for small quantities.
The reaction force curve or deceleration curve can be realized via an individual throttling principle depending on the requirements.
Altenstadter Str. 11
D-86987 Schwabsoien
Fax: +49 (0) 8868 / 18 06 06 – 99
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