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    26 views12 pages

    Us 20180001998 A 1

    Uploaded by

    muhammad haidar razan hilmi

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF or read online from Scribd
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    US 2018000199841 mv us) United States 2) Patent Application Publication co) Pub. No.: US 2018/0001998 A1 Bennett (4s) Pub. Date: Jan, 4, 2018 (S41) AIRCRAFT LANDING Gear 2) us.eu cr 1n64e 25/20 2013.01), BoC 28/60 (1) Applicant Safran Landing Systems UK LTD. (201300) Gloucester (GB) ‘ 6 ABSTRACT (72) Inventor: tan Bennet, Glowcester (GP) An sircraft landing gear having a shock absorbing staan 2 shortening mechan coupled between an eloniats beam (21) Appl. No. 18169.245 finda shortening portion ofa shock absorber Th shoeing tecanism is arming scl tat when the elongate bean is yrs moe ta fist postion dhe to u fist extension sate of the a Pe ee eee CGnviton in which i inhibits axial movement ote shoet- : ee ‘ening portion within the strut element in the first direction Ju, 1.2016 EP) 16177652 mia Creston, and as the retraction actator changes in extension state fiom the first extension state towards a second extension site, the retraction actuator moves the tlongate beam which in tur eauses the shortening mech (I) I nism io move the shortening portion within the srt element Baie 25720 (2006.01) in the frst axial direction to shorten the shock absorbing Bosc 25/60 (2006.01) strut Publication Classification 52-4 Patent Application Publication Jan. 4,2018 Sheet 1 of 6 US 2018/0001998 AI US 2018/0001998 AI Jan. 4,2018 Sheet 2 of 6 Patent Application Publication Patent Application Publication Jan. 4,2018 Sheet 3 of 6 US 2018/0001998 AI Patent Application Publication Jan. 4,2018 Sheet 4 of 6 US 2018/0001998 AI aan gle) Sle WN o FIG. 3b FIG. 3a Patent Application Publication Jan. 4,2018 Sheet 5 of 6 US 2018/0001998 AI FIG. 4 FIG. 5 Patent Application Publication Jan. 4,2018 Sheet 6 of 6 US 2018/0001998 AI 524 FIG. 6 FIG. 7 US 2018/0001998 AI AIRCRAFT LANDING GEAR 10001} ‘This application claims the benefit of and priority {o Furopean Application EP16177652 ied on Jul. 1, 2046, the contents of which are ineomporated herein by reference BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 10002] An sireraft landing gear bay is a space within an feral that is configured to accommodate a sowed landing ear. The landing gear may have been designed specifically Tor the aireaf [0003] It can be desruble forthe main strut of a landing _geart be longer than standard landing gear main strat for ‘particular aircraft in onder to raise the aireralt higher 1 improve ground cleaanee, However, unless the landing geae bay is redesigned to accommodate the increase in length, the Janding gear must sill be capable of retracting into the ‘existing space within the bay. Hence the landing gear is roguired to shorten on retraction. 0008} Various means are Known by which 10 shorten @ landing gear on reiriction, This can involve a dedicated shortening mechanism whieh must be atached 0 a struc- {ural part ofthe landing gear bay. 10005] However, an aircraft landing gear bay structure may not have been designed for a shortening landing gear ‘and therefore there may not be a region tht is sulicieatly Strong at which to attach shortening mechanism, SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0006] According to a frst aspect ofthe invention, there is provided an aireraft landing pear having a shock absorbing frit aranged to support the weight of an aircraft om the round. The shock absorbing strut includes: a hollow strut ‘element having an open fst end and « mounting connector ‘ata second end via Which te stut element i arranged to be pivotally connected to the aireraft to define ast pivot axis ‘and ashok absorber, the shock absorber including an outer cylinder anda sliding tube, one ofthe outer cylinder and the sliding tube comprising a shortening portion which is slid- ably mounted relative to the stat clement for axial move- ‘ment relative o the strut element and the other one of the ‘outer cylinder and the sliding ube having a wheel assembly ‘coupling, the shock absorber including a mechanical Finkage between the shortening portion and the other one ofthe outer ‘eylinder and the sliding tube, the mechanical linkage being ‘configured to engage the other one ofthe outer eylinder and the sliding tube when the shock absorber is extended such that axial movement of the shortening portion within the strut element ina first axial direction towards the strut pivot ‘axis causes the other one of the outer eylinder and the sliding tube to move towards the strut pivot axis to shorten the shock absorbing strut. The landing gear also has: a retraction ‘actuator pivotally coupled a a frst end to hug on the sist ‘element and pivotally connected at a second end to an sctuator link, the setator link having an aieralt connector Via which it is arranged to be pivotally coupled to the reraft; an elongate beam pivotally coupled at fst end 10 the second end of the reaction actor and pivotally ‘coupled to a second hug on the strat clement, and a short- ‘ening mechanism coupled between the elongate beam and shortening the portion ofthe shock absorber. The shortening mechanism is arranged such that when the elongate beam is first position due to a fist extension state of the retraction aetuator the shortening mechanism is ina locked Jan. 4, 2018 condition in which it inhibits axial movement of the short ‘cing portion within the strut element in the frst direction ‘axial direotion; and a the retaetion actuator changes in fexlesion stale From the first extension state towanls @ second extension state, the reaction aemator moves the longate bean which ia tur causes the shortening mech- nism to move the shortening portion within the strut element in the firt axial direction to shorten the shock absorbing strut [0007] Thus. the shortening mechanism is connected 10 the clongate walking” beam, rather than ruiring an attach- iment to the aircraft structure diretly. A walking beam is conventionally provided for the purpose of providing ‘mechanial advantage fo a retraction actuator, The present inventor has identified that in landing gear which inchade a ‘walking beam, the walking beam is conveniently situated t0 ‘be coupled to the shortening portion visa shortening linkage and the walking beam moves in-a manner which cause itt sulicently mimic a static attachment point on the bay roof relative to the shock absorbing strut of landing gear. The landing gear is configured to move the shortening portion of the shock absorber from a fst distance from the stat pivot axis toa relatively close second distance from the steut pivot [0008] When the shortening mechanism is in the locked ‘condition it can be arunged in an over-center coniguration in which it inhibits axial movement ofthe shortening portion ‘within the strut element in the frst direetion axial direction by reacting. in compression. In this condition, a linkage of the shortening mechanism ean be arranged to press against fan abutment on the landing gear to react applied load. [0009] As the retraction actuator changes in extension Sate from the fit extension state towards a second exten- sion state, the movement ofthe elongate beam can cause the shortening mechanism to pull the shortening portion within the strut clement in the frst axial direction under tension to shorten the shock absorbing sr, [0010] The axial distance between the first and second positions ean be at least 50 mm and preferably at least 80 fm and in some eases at least 100 mn [0011] |The shortening mechanism can be coupled between ‘pivot point at the second end of the elongate beam and a pivot point on the shortening portion ofthe shock absorber [012] The shortening linkage can be coupled to the elongate walking beam at an extension portion of the ‘walking beam which projets beyond the sit clement ug pivot an the beam. This can provide a shorter path to the Shortening potion [0013] ‘The shortening mechanism can include a lever pivotally coupled at 4 midpoint to a third lug on the strut tlement, ane end of the lever being pivotally coupled to a rive Tink whieh in tum is pivotally coupled to the second tend of the elongate beam, the second end of the lever being pivotally’ conpled to a shortening link which in turn is Pivotal coupled to the shortening portion of the shock absorber. [0014] The lever can be of unitary construction, whieh ean simplify assembly of the shortening mechanism and be Tighter in weight relative to-a two part lever. 0015} ‘The retraction setustor can comprise a linear acta [0016] The aireatt landing gear can comprise a “capsule type’ shock absorber in which at least some of the shock absorber is located within the strut element US 2018/0001998 AI 10017] Altematively, the outer eylinder of the shock absorber can define the strat element, [0018] The sliding tube can comprise a piston and rod assembly, the piston of which is slidably coupled within the bore ofthe strut element for axial mvement within it, dhe rod of which extends from the open first end of the bore through a first bearing and seal assembly. 10019] ‘The shock absorber can comprise a shock absorber ‘acconting (0 the second aspect 10020] In acconlance with a second aspect of the iaven- tion, there is provided a shock absorber having: an outer ‘ylinder defining a bore that i open aa frst end of the outer ‘elinder; a piston and rod assembly the piston of which is slidably coupled withia the bore of the outer eylinder for axial movement within it, the rod of which extends from the ‘open frst end ofthe bore dough a fist bearing and seal sssembiy: a diophragm slidably coupled within the bore of the outer eylinder between te piston and a second end ofthe ‘outer eylinder, the diaphragm and/or inace wall of the oxter ‘ylinder being provided with one or more frst dynamic seals frranged such thatthe diaphragm can move between @ fst position and a second postion while maintaining 2 Mud seal between the diaphragm and the inner wall of the outer cylinder; a mectianiealIinkage between the diaphragm and the piston and rod assembly that limits exial separation between tem: anda shortening device arranged to move the dlaphragm hetween the fist and scoond positions, wherein the shock absorber is arranged such that with te diaphragm inthe fist position the mechanical linkage is positioned to permit extension and contraction of the shock absorber and fs the diaphragm is moved from the fst position towards the second position by th shortening device withthe shock absorber fully extended the mechanical linkage pulls the piston and rod assembly to shorten the shock absorber. 10021] The outer diameter of the diaphragm ean be equal to the ouler diameter of the rod of the piston and rod ‘assembly. This lead to the volume of the shock absorber remaining comtant as the diaphragm moves, 0022] "The mechanical linkage ean comprise an orifice support tube which extends ffom the diaphragm into a hallow bore defined by the piston and roel assembly, the ‘orice support tube including an outwardly projecting radial ‘Bange which engages with the piston to pall the piston and rod assembly to shorten the shock absorber. 10023] The outer circumferential wall of the diaphragm ‘ean be provided with one of more first dynamic seals ‘arranged to act aginst the inner wall ofthe outer eylinder {or scaling engogement with it asthe diaphragm moves, 10024) The inner wall of the outer cylinder ean be pro- Vided with one of more first dynamic seals arranged to aot against the outer circumferential wall ofthe diaphragm for scaling engagement with it asthe diaphragm moves. 10025] The portion ofthe outer eylinder on the ouside of the diaphragm relative othe piston can be non-pressurized: for example, open to ambient. This enables a shortening linkage suchas those deseribed with reference tothe second aspect to be ise to move the shortening portion. 10026] The shortening device as defined in the second aspect can comprise a shortening mechanism as defined in the frst aspect. 0027] In accordance with a third aspect of the invention, there is provided an aircraft landing gee including a main shock absorber strut including a shoek absorber according to the second aspect Jan. 4, 2018 [0028] In accordance witha fourth aspect ofthe inveation, there is provided an aircraft comprising an aircraft landing swear according tothe frst aspect or the thin aspect [0029] In any embodiment, pivot points can be replaced by other types of flexible couplings that permit relative ‘movement between parts while holding them together [0030] These and orer aspects of the present invention ‘will become apparent from, and clarified with reference 10, the embodiments deseribed herein [0031] Embodiments ofthe present invention will ow be eseribed, by way of example only, with reference to the faecompanying drawings, in which: [0032] FIG. ta is a diggram of an aircraft landing gear cording to an embodiment ofthe invention in a deployed condition: 0033} FIG. 1b isa diagram of the aircraft landing gear of FIG. 1 in a retracted condition; [0034] FIG. 2 isa diagram illustrating the motion of the rive link and lever in the aircraft landing gear of FIG. 1 ‘ding shortening; [0038] FIGS. 30 to 3e are diagrams illustrating mecha- nisms that can be used in place of the lever inthe aircraft landing gear of FIG. 1; [0036] FIG. 4is a diagram ofa shock absorber that can be ‘used with the airraft landing gear of FIG. 1 [0037] FIG. § isa diagram of another shock absorber that fan he used with the aireraft landing gear of FIG, 1; [0038] FIG, 6 isa diggram of another shock absorber that fan be used with the aireraft landing gear of FIG. 1; and [0039] FIG. 7 isa diggram of another shock absorber that fan be used with the aireraft landing gear of FIG. 1 SPECIFICATION DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION [0040] FIGS. ta and 14 show part of an sireraft landing gear 10 with a rotraction actuator 30 forming part of a ‘walking beam’ linkage to reduce actuator load at the expense of increasing stoke, [0041] A shortening the mechanism U1 for shortening the length of the main shock absorbing stat comprises a strut clement or main ft able o slide axially. The shock absorber 14 is also able to ‘compress teleseopically and caries an axle and wheels (not shown) at its lower end. The shortening mechanism 11 applies the principle of two aver-conter Finks (the shortening Tink 16 and the lower limb of the lever 18) pressing against an abutment 20 when the landing gear is down to hold the top of the shock absorber assembly 14 in the extended position, [042] In this embodiment the lever 18 is driven by an per limb oa the opposite side tothe lower limb, although ple the two ims could be arranged with any angle ‘between them, or could be spaced laterally along the axis of pivot pin 22. The upper limb is driven by a drive Tink 24 ‘which is attached to an extension 26 or other convenient point on tho walking beam 28. The drive lik 24 may’ be ‘internally spring sich that it maintains @ force to keep the shortening link 16 or lever 18 against the butment stop 20 forthe resilience ofthe mechanism II may be used to achieve ‘similar ee US 2018/0001998 AI 10043] When the landing gear starts to retract a retractio actuator 30 extends, and both pushes onthe lugs on the mia fining pintle area 32 and causes an actustor link 34 to swing ‘around ils sireralsttchment point 36, However the actuator Fink 34is restrained in its motion de to its attachment to the walking beam 28, and the walking beam 28 is resiained by ts own amtachmeat to the main fiting pint area 32. Thus the cambination of forces result inthe retraction actuator 30 being in compression and the walking. beam 28 being in teasion, and dhe two cooperate to apply a torque around the Pintle axis co retract the landing gear 10 ina known manner. [0044] The present inventor has identified that the motion ‘ofthe walking beam 28, attached to the aetuator link 34 at ‘one end aad the main iting intl am 32 atthe othe, cans that it moves relative fo the main fiting 12 in 8 manner that js suitable to provide an attachment point for the drive link 24, Thus, the motion ofthe walking beam 28 ean be ullized to move the drive link 24, which rotates the lever 18, which jn tra iis te shock absorber 14 within the main fiting 12 to shorten the landing gear, a8 show in FIG. 2, This results inthe landing gear 10 being shortened as it moves to the stowed condition as illustrated in FIG. 1 10045] In the illustrated example, the walking beam 28 is Positioned ator adjacent to the area of intersection between the pintle axis and the longitudinal axis of the shock absorber 14. However, wher this is not the ease the ease, the skilled person could modify the shortening linkage to rea! the shock absorber 10045] FIGS. 3a to 3c illustrate some examples of other ‘mechanisms which can be used instend ofthe lever arrange- ‘ment described above. In FIG. 3a, a shortening link 16” is aligned with an upper link 17 t0 react movement of the shock absorber 14 in the first direction FD. deve link 24° ‘can be moved by a connection to the walking beam 28 10 ‘cause the shortening link 16° to pivot relative tothe upper Tink 17 via pivot 22 to displace the shock absorber in the first direetion FD. In PIG. 3, the upper link 17" ean be ia the form of bell crank drive by rotation of shaft 24° through an appropriate connection to the walking beam t0 JiR the shortening link 16" to lift the shock absorber 14 Likewise, in FIG. ca v-shaped lever 17" is eause to pivot about pivot 22” though a foree applied by drive link 24" ‘connected the walking beam (0 lift the shortening link 16° to lift the shock absorber 14 10047] | While inthe ilustated examples presented above the shorting mechanism ie coupled to the walking bear, in other embodiments the shortening mechanism can be ‘coupled to other parts ofthe landing gear: For example, if there i an aircraft andlor fanding gear configuration where the walking beam 28 is in an unsuitable position, or the prefered location is blocked by other equipment or strvc- ture, then the top of the drive link 24 can alternatively be tached to the cross beam 38 instead of the walking beam 28, The distance between the axes of the shock absorber and the eross beam 38 can be accommodated by inclining the dive link 24 or by rotating the pivot 22 hence the plane of the shortening mechanism around the shock absorber axis, ‘or by a combination ofthe two. [0048] FIG. 4 shows a known type of shock absorber 14 that can be used with the landing gear of FIGS. 1a and As is common, the shock absorber 14 consists of an outer cylinder, which can define the main fiting 12 itself, and an liner piston which is offen the sliding tube of the strut In ubowiments where the shock absorber 14 is ofthe capsule Jan. 4, 2018 {ype the telescopic shock absorber 14 has t slide within a distinct main fiting 12. The illusiroted shortening arrange- ‘meat inverts the shock absorber 14 so that the outer eylinder ‘cts a the sliding ube and the inar piston isa separate ube, atached tothe shortening link 16, within the main fing 12. has the advantage of avoiding need for an orifice support tube inside the shock absorber 14, Ifthe main iting 12 were to remain the same diameter as if t were a noa-shortening sear then the outer eylinder would have to reduce to the ‘amter of the sliding tube, and the inner piston would be smaller diameter (since it must slide withia the sliding tubelouter eylinder). The static pressure of the shock absorber 14 is inversely proportional to the cross sectional trea ofthe inner piston, and thus dhe static pressure would ‘increase ifthe main fiting 12 stays the same diameter. I is undesirable forthe static pressure tose significantly: hence the main fiting 12 would have to increase in diameter 10 allow the other shock absorber 14 parts to increase. 0049] As shown in FIG. 8, an alternative embodiment nouns the outer eylinder ofthe shock absorber 14 so that it may slide within the main fiting 12. There is now aa ‘additional eylinder between the main fiting 12 and the ianer Piston, so again either static pressure must rise if the main liting 12 stays the same diameter or else the main fiting 12 ameter must increase. 0050} Referring to FIG. 6, a shock absorber 50 seconding to an embodiment of the invention is shovva, The shock sorbet 50 can be used withthe landing gear of FIG. 1, oF ltematively with other types of shortening mechanism. The ‘outer cylinder $2 can define main fiting. An upper ‘Saphragm $4 is connoctd to the shortening link S6 and may slide within the main fitng $2. Thus, the upper diaphragm ‘4 forms the shortening portion ofthe shoek absorber. The Sliding tubefinner piston 58 can remain the same diameter as Tor a non-shortening gear. The oriflee support tube 60 extending from the upper diaphragm $4, may inclade @ lower abutment 62 arranged be used as an out stop to prevent the sliding tube S8 from over extending from the shock ahsorber 50, [0051] The arrangement in FIG. 6 shows a diphragm $4 ‘with one or more dynamie seals S4e on its outside diameter, sliding in the bore $24 ofthe main fiting 52 in tae manner of a piston, Thus, the sliding diameter DI of the upper ‘Gaphragm 4 isthe same as that D2 ofthe sliding tbe 58 (Ge. a reduced diameter section in the bore ofthe mai iting 52) This arrangement has an advantage that the distance between the top ofthe piston and rod assembly 58 and the underside ofthe diaphragm 84 or the underside of the step in the main fiting bore need only accommodate the normal shock absorber compressive suspension stroke, The short ening stoke is contained within it The volume of the shock fhsorber 50 will remain constant when the upper diaphragm ‘54 is moved by the shortening link $6, [0052] It is recognized tht replacement of the diaphragm S34 as shown in FIG. 6 such as in onder to replace the Gynamic seal woud require dismantling. of the shock absorber. An aterative arrangement 70 is shown in FIG. 7, where the diaphragm 74 passes through one or more {dynamic seals 75 in the main iting bore 72a in the manner ‘of a rod. This hasan advantage that it places seals 78 on the ‘outer component soch that with dual seals a wom or dam- ‘aged seal may be bypassed and its function transferred to the second seal by means of a manually operated extemal changeover Valve 80 in a known manner, US 2018/0001998 AI 10083] The arrangement shown in FIG. 7 has a disadvan tage that since the outside sealing diameter D3 of the

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