US Patent 11993950 Self-centering conical friction damper

Example embodiments provide mechanical dampers. The mechanical dampers may be applied to dissipate energy in a structure that arises for example from a dynamic load such as seismic activity, vehicle impact, vibration of the structure, wind forces, an explosion, etc. The damper comprises a pair of clamping plates. A shear plate is held between the clamping plates. The shear plate is movable in transverse directions relative to the clamping plates. The damper also comprises a conical wedge coupled between one of the clamping plates and the shear plate. The conical wedge comprises a female conical element and a male conical element that projects into a conical indentation of the female conical element.