Aeronautics and astronautics – Landing gear – Wheel
Patent
1985-01-14
1987-04-21
Barefoot, Galen L.
Aeronautics and astronautics
Landing gear
Wheel
244111, B64C 2540, B64C 2542, B64C 2550
Patent
active
046590404
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to aircraft undercarriage assemblies. In particular the invention relates to braking and steering systems for such assemblies.
2. Brief Description of the Prior Art
In my earlier International Application No. PCT/AU82/00130 filed on the Aug. 13th, 1982 (13-08-82) and published under International Publication No. WO83/01239 there is described an aircraft landing wheel rotating assembly which rotates the landing wheels prior to touchdown to reduce the incidence of "flat spots" on the tyres. The assembly includes an airscoop which directs air through "turbine-blade" like spokes in the wheels, the airscoop being vented to reduce drag when the undercarriage is first lowered prior to landing and on take-off.
This assembly has generally proved to be effective. However, in certain applications, the high inertia of the aircraft wheels has resulted in an unacceptably long "spin-up" time when the air is directed through the wheels and the drag generated by the airscoop is high.
On larger aircraft, i.e. those with four wheel truck-type undercarriages, the large airscoop for the front pair of wheels may mask the airscoop for the rear set of wheels, reducing the efficiency of the latter.
In addition, the tyres on the undercarriages undergo considerable "scrubbing" when the aircraft turn about a short radius during taxiing.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a means for selectively bringing the aircraft wheels upto speed to minimise the inertial effects.
It is a preferred object to provide such a means where a small compact airscoop, having even less drag than of my existing airscoop, may be used.
It is a further preferred object to provide such a means where the aircraft brakes are placed adjacent one of the pair of wheels in the airstream for maximum efficiency.
It is a still further preferred object to provide a steering mechanism for an aircraft undercarriage to reduce tyre wear due to scrubbing during turning when an aircraft is taxiing.
In one aspect the present invention relates to a braking assembly for aircraft or other vehicles including:
a stationary axle housing;
an axle rotatably mounted in the housing;
a first ground-engaging wheel operatively connected to the axle;
a second ground-engaging wheel rotatably mounted on the axle;
a clutch means operable to releasably connect the second wheel to the axle;
first brake means on the housing operably connectable to the axle to provide braking for the first wheel; and
second brake means on the housing operably connectable to the second wheel to provide braking for the second wheel.
In a second aspect, the present invention relates to an aircraft undercarriage assembly including:
a support leg or strut extendable from an aircraft;
a stationary axle housing at or adjacent the lower end of the support leg or strut; and
the braking means hereinbefore described.
Preferably the first wheel has turbine like spokes interconnecting the tyre-mounting rim to a hub fixed to the axle. Preferably an airscoop of the type described in International Application No. PCT/AU82/00130 is mounted on the axle housing adjacent the first wheel to direct air through the spokes to enable the first wheel to be spun-up to speed before landing.
Preferably the clutch means includes a mechanical clutch, fluid coupling or torque convertor operable to selectively engage the second wheel with the axle.
Preferably the first and second braking means are mounted on the axle housing adjacent the second wheel.
In a third aspect the present invention resides in an aircraft undercarriage assembly including:
an undercarriage support leg or strut;
a front axle support member pivotally mounted on the support leg or strut for limited movement in the vertical plane;
a front axle, with ground-engaging wheels, on the front axle support member;
a rear axle support member pivotally mounted on the front axle support member for movement about a substantially vertical axis, the rear axle being movab
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Barefoot Galen L.
Corl Rodney
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