The influence of temperature on the damping characteristic of hydraulic shock absorbers

Abstract

This paper presents the results of bench-tests and calculations assessing the influence of temperature on the performance of a two-pipe hydraulic shock absorber. The shock absorber prepared for the tests was cooled with dry ice to a temperature corresponding to that associated with the average winter conditions in a temperate climate. The temperature range of the shock absorber during testing was ensured via equipping it with a thermocouple and monitoring it with a thermal imaging camera. During testing, the shock absorber was subjected to kinematic forces of a selected frequency with two different, fixed displacement amplitudes. The results of the tests showed a direct correlation between the decrease of component resistance at lower temperatures. The rate of change in resistance was higher at lower temperatures. It was also found that the energy dissipated in one shock cycle decreased linearly with an increasing temperature. Finally, a method for determining the ideal use temperature of the shock absorber for the assumed operating conditions was also presented.