Metal Bellows Dampers
Metal Bellows Dampers
Taylor Devices has created a damper that has absolute zero leakage due to hermetically sealed construction making it ideal for both structural and space applications.
Metal Bellows Dampers Provide Unique Damping Solutions
Metal bellows dampers were developed during the 1980’s for NASA and used on platforms based in outer space. Conventional sliding surfaces that were sealed acceptably on earth proved unacceptable for spacecraft use.
Metal bellows dampers are unique hermetically sealed dampers that were originally developed for use on platforms that were critical during space missions. The reason was simply that even the tiniest amount fluid leakage past conventional seal turns into a dense fog in a vacuum, contaminating optics and electronic systems.
Applications of Metal Bellows Dampers
Structural
Today, these same dampers have been successfully adapted for use in structures for protection against wind and seismic events. Additionally, metal bellows dampers are ideal for applications requiring damping at very low displacements, including human-induced vibration for bridges and buildings.
Space
Metal bellows dampers continue to be ideal for space applications because of the fact that even the tiniest amount of fluid leakage past conventional seals turns into a dense fog in a vacuum. Our metal bellows dampers provide absolute zero leakage, infinite life, and no maintenance.
Metal Bellows Dampers in Buildings
Metal bellows dampers can be used in tall buildings that experience continuous swaying due to wind activity. Unlike dampers that are used for seismic activity, metal bellows dampers can provide damping at very small displacements, have near-frictionless performance, and can withstand the nearly constant cycling, from high winds. One example application of this incredible product is located at the top of the 250 West 55 building in Manhattan.
Another example of our metal bellow dampers in building applications is located in mega-bracing in the 181 Freemont building in San Francisco, CA. Similar to the building in Manhattan, our dampers not only needed to reduce wind oscillations but also absorb vibrations from major seismic activity. Instead of stiffening the building, the building’s engineering team decided on the opposite approach, which was to reduce stiffness to allow flexibility, and then add dampers to reduce the seismic demands.
Benefits of Metal Bellows Dampers
- Infinite Life – The only damper design in the world that is designed for infinite life. Parts are stressed below the material fatigue endurance limit ensuring that the dampers will survive billions of cycles.
- Virtually Zero Friction – There is no source of friction typical of standard elastomeric seals.
- Effective damping at extremely small amplitudes.
- Extremely High Fidelity response to shock and vibration over a frequency band of 0-500 Hz and amplitudes as low as +/- 0.001 inches (+/- 0.00254mm) or less.
- High series stiffness for high damping effectiveness
- Various damping functions are achieved based on a customer requirement
- Taylor metal bellows dampers are designed and tested in output force ratings up to 450 KIP or more and strokes up to +/- 20 inches or more.
- No Maintenance over the life of the structure or dynamic system.
- Absolutely ZERO Leakage due to hermetically sealed construction.
