Predator Systems, Inc.
Boca Raton, Florida USA
| What is a Dashpot? |
A dashpot is a damper that uses viscuous friction to resist motion. The damping force is proportional to the velocity of the movement and reacts in the opposite direction thereby counteracting the motion (slowing down the movement) and causing it to absorb energy. The dashpot is characterized by two specifications: the stroke and the damping coefficient. The stroke is a measurement of the linear displacement of the dashpot while the damping coefficient is a measurement of damping force per velocity (force/velocity). |
| Where is a Dashpot used? |
The most common use of the dashpot is the shock absorber used in automobiles and other vehicles (the dashpot is the hydraulic cylinder in the shock absorber). Another common usage of the dashpot is found within the door closer device. In this application, a spring is used to apply the force to close the door and the dashpot is used to counteract the spring slowing the motion of the door. Very often, the implementation of the dashpot in the door closer requires that a fluid flows through an orifice from one reservoir to another. An adjustment screw may be used to vary the size of the orifice. |
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