Super Six install on 1974 Dart

What is this gadget for? It goes in the vacuum line that controls the heated air inlet door. I've been playing with it while I'm waiting for a chance to sand and paint the air cleaner. When I apply vacuum to the large (white) side, equal vacuum appears on the small side, but if I then release the vacuum on the large side, the small-side vacuum slowly leaks down to zero. Is this thing just a "screen door closer" for the heated air inlet door, to keep it from slamming shut?

The white side says "SENSOR" on it. I guess that is to remind me that the white side goes toward the temperature sensor instead of toward the inlet door.IMG_3422.JPG
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