The methods and systems provide for increasing the accuracy of aircraft weight and center of gravity determination through the use of filtered strut pressure measurements. Aircraft vertical and horizontal accelerations are determined as the aircraft is taxiing, and used to identify and reduce the number of significantly distorted pressure measurements, to allow the lesser distorted pressure measurements to be averaged, and a lesser number of distorted pressure measurements to be averaged; further identifying the aircraft in near-neutral acceleration and strut pressure values near-neutral of strut seal friction distortions. Pressure sensors, accelerometers, and an inclinometer are mounted in relation to landing gear struts to monitor, measure and record strut pressure as related to strut telescopic movement, rates of strut telescopic movement and aircraft vertical and horizontal accelerations; experienced by landing gear struts, as the aircraft proceeds through typical ground and taxi operations.

A method of servicing a shock absorber of an aircraft landing gear shock absorbing strut, the shock absorber including a sealed, variable volume chamber containing a liquid and a gas in fluid communication with one another, the method comprising: using a mixer to mix the liquid and the gas within the chamber until the liquid is uniformly saturated with the gas; and subsequently performing one or more servicing actions.

A method of servicing a shock absorber of an aircraft landing gear shock absorbing strut, the shock absorber including a sealed, variable volume chamber containing a liquid and a gas in fluid communication with one another, the method comprising: using a mixer to mix the liquid and the gas within the chamber until the liquid is uniformly saturated with the gas; and subsequently performing one or more servicing actions.

A composite metallic joint assembly may include a composite metal rod having a metal liner and a composite material disposed around the metal liner. A first portion of the composite metal rod may comprise the composite material and the metal liner and a second portion of the composite metal rod may comprise the metal liner exposed at a radially outer surface of the composite metal rod. The metal liner may have a first radial thickness at a first axial position corresponding to the first portion of the composite metal rod and a second radial thickness at a second axial position corresponding to the second portion of the composite metal rod. The second thickness may be greater than the first thickness.

A thin-skin support member is provided. The thin-skin support member may include a semi-circular edge and a flat edge that define a hollow cavity. A cylindrical cavity may be adjacent the hollow cavity and at least partially defined by the semi-circular edge. The cylindrical cavity may be configured to retain a strut assembly. A mounting interface may be coupled to the semi-circular edge and the flat edge. A torsion interface may be disposed adjacent the cylindrical cavity and configured to receive a torsion link. The thin-skin support member may be made using additive manufacturing and thus may have a grain structure grown in the direction of material being added.

A thin-skin support member is provided. The thin-skin support member may include a semi-circular edge and a flat edge that define a hollow cavity. A cylindrical cavity may be adjacent the hollow cavity and at least partially defined by the semi-circular edge. The cylindrical cavity may be configured to retain a strut assembly. A mounting interface may be coupled to the semi-circular edge and the flat edge. A torsion interface may be disposed adjacent the cylindrical cavity and configured to receive a torsion link. The thin-skin support member may be made using additive manufacturing and thus may have a grain structure grown in the direction of material being added.

A landing gear assembly is also provided. The landing gear assembly may include a thin-skin support member defining a cavity and a cylindrical cavity. A cylinder may extend from the cylindrical cavity with an axle extending from the cylinder. A torsion link may be coupled to the axle and a torsion interface of the thin-skin support member.

A thin-skin support member is provided. The thin-skin support member may include a semi-circular edge and a flat edge that define a hollow cavity. A cylindrical cavity may be adjacent the hollow cavity and at least partially defined by the semi-circular edge. The cylindrical cavity may be configured to retain a strut assembly. A mounting interface may be coupled to the semi-circular edge and the flat edge. A torsion interface may be disposed adjacent the cylindrical cavity and configured to receive a torsion link. The thin-skin support member may be made using additive manufacturing and thus may have a grain structure grown in the direction of material being added.

A method and apparatus is disclosed for measuring the volume of fluid in a variable volume vessel.

A method and apparatus is disclosed for measuring the volume of fluid in a variable volume vessel.