US Patent 11181008 Self-pressurized squeeze film damper

A fluid damping structure includes first and second annular elements, first and second inner seals, a first outer seal, a damping chamber, a supply plenum, a fill port, and a plurality of fluid passages. The first and second inner seals are disposed radially between and are engaged with the first annular element and the second annular element. The first outer seal forms a sealing interface between the first and second annular elements. The first outer seal is disposed radially outward from the first and second inner seals. The damping chamber is defined by the first and second annular elements and the first and second inner seals. The supply plenum is disposed contiguous with an axial side of the damping chamber and extends from the second inner seal to the first outer seal. The fill port is in fluid communication with the supply plenum and a source of damping fluid.