Patent classifications
B64C25/16
Mechanisms, systems and methods to allow step-ajdustment of aerodynamic surfaces
Adjustment mechanisms, systems and methods allow for a moveable aerodynamic surface to be positionally adjusted relative to a stationary adjustment surface so as to ensure smooth aerodynamic transition between such surfaces. The adjustment mechanisms may include a base structure adapted for fixed connection to the moveable aerodynamic surface, a fixed-position receiver opposing the base structure and adapted for positionally fixed connection to the support structure of the moveable aerodynamic surface and an adjustment bolt having a head and a threaded shaft extending from the head through an elongate slot of the base structure, the slot defining an elongate axis which is aligned with an adjustment axis for the moveable aerodynamic surface, and being threadably coupled to the receiver to operably interconnect the base structure and the receiver.
Mechanisms, systems and methods to allow step-ajdustment of aerodynamic surfaces
Adjustment mechanisms, systems and methods allow for a moveable aerodynamic surface to be positionally adjusted relative to a stationary adjustment surface so as to ensure smooth aerodynamic transition between such surfaces. The adjustment mechanisms may include a base structure adapted for fixed connection to the moveable aerodynamic surface, a fixed-position receiver opposing the base structure and adapted for positionally fixed connection to the support structure of the moveable aerodynamic surface and an adjustment bolt having a head and a threaded shaft extending from the head through an elongate slot of the base structure, the slot defining an elongate axis which is aligned with an adjustment axis for the moveable aerodynamic surface, and being threadably coupled to the receiver to operably interconnect the base structure and the receiver.
FOLDING MAIN LANDING GEAR FOR CARGO AIRCRAFT
Systems and methods for folding landing gear of a cargo aircraft. One embodiment is a main landing gear of an aircraft that includes a shock strut coupled to a truck with one or more wheels, and a yoke pivotally coupled with the shock strut via a lower trunnion, and pivotally coupled with an aircraft structure via an upper trunnion. The yoke is configured to pivot about the upper trunnion in a direction back toward a tail of the aircraft and up toward a fuselage of the aircraft, and the shock strut is configured to pivot about the lower trunnion in a direction forward toward a nose of the aircraft and up toward the fuselage of the aircraft to retract the one or more wheels.
FOLDING MAIN LANDING GEAR FOR CARGO AIRCRAFT
Systems and methods for folding landing gear of a cargo aircraft. One embodiment is a main landing gear of an aircraft that includes a shock strut coupled to a truck with one or more wheels, and a yoke pivotally coupled with the shock strut via a lower trunnion, and pivotally coupled with an aircraft structure via an upper trunnion. The yoke is configured to pivot about the upper trunnion in a direction back toward a tail of the aircraft and up toward a fuselage of the aircraft, and the shock strut is configured to pivot about the lower trunnion in a direction forward toward a nose of the aircraft and up toward the fuselage of the aircraft to retract the one or more wheels.
LANDING GEAR FOR CARGO AIRCRAFT
Systems and methods for wide set retracting landing gear of a cargo aircraft. One embodiment is an aircraft that includes a fuselage including a nose, and a pair of main landing gears comprising a pair of main posts disposed across the fuselage, each main post having a main wheel and configured to pivot forward toward the nose to retract the main wheel. The aircraft also includes a pair of nose landing gears comprising a pair of nose posts disposed across the fuselage, each nose post having a nose wheel and configured to pivot inboard to retract the nose wheel.
LANDING GEAR FOR CARGO AIRCRAFT
Systems and methods for wide set retracting landing gear of a cargo aircraft. One embodiment is an aircraft that includes a fuselage including a nose, and a pair of main landing gears comprising a pair of main posts disposed across the fuselage, each main post having a main wheel and configured to pivot forward toward the nose to retract the main wheel. The aircraft also includes a pair of nose landing gears comprising a pair of nose posts disposed across the fuselage, each nose post having a nose wheel and configured to pivot inboard to retract the nose wheel.
LANDING GEAR CONTROL
An aircraft control system 100 operably connected to a landing gear and a landing gear bay door of an aircraft 400. The system includes: a user interface 10 to receive manual inputs of first and second requests and a landing gear controller 20 configured to: receive a first indication indicative of user-operation of the user interface to input the first request, and to initiate movement of the landing gear bay door from a closed position to an open position on the basis of the first indication without initiating movement of the landing gear between an extended position and a retracted position; and receive a second indication indicative of user-operation of the user interface to input the second request, and to initiate movement of the landing gear between the extended position and the retracted position on the basis of the second indication.
Drag reduction device for exposed landing gear cavities
An exposed main landing gear cavity in a bottom wall of an aircraft fuselage may include a main landing gear cavity outer ring recessed within the fuselage and having an inner surface encircling the main landing gear cavity, first baffle extending inward from the outer ring inner surface at an aft and inboard position on the inner surface, and a second baffle extending inward from the outer ring inner surface at an aft and outboard position on the outer ring inner surface. The main landing gear cavity may further include an aft fairing disposed proximate the outer ring bottom edge of the outer ring and connected to the fuselage at an aft side of the main landing gear cavity. An aft fairing top surface may have curvature causing the top surface to extend downward away from the outer ring as the top surface extends inward away from the outer ring.
Drag reduction device for exposed landing gear cavities
An exposed main landing gear cavity in a bottom wall of an aircraft fuselage may include a main landing gear cavity outer ring recessed within the fuselage and having an inner surface encircling the main landing gear cavity, first baffle extending inward from the outer ring inner surface at an aft and inboard position on the inner surface, and a second baffle extending inward from the outer ring inner surface at an aft and outboard position on the outer ring inner surface. The main landing gear cavity may further include an aft fairing disposed proximate the outer ring bottom edge of the outer ring and connected to the fuselage at an aft side of the main landing gear cavity. An aft fairing top surface may have curvature causing the top surface to extend downward away from the outer ring as the top surface extends inward away from the outer ring.
DOOR ALIGNMENT FOR AIRCRAFT LANDING GEAR
Systems and methods are provided for door alignment of an aircraft landing gear door. One embodiment is an apparatus that includes a plurality of adjustable rods configured to temporarily install in an aircraft to stand in place of a final adjustable part, each of the adjustable rods configured to position a block for stopping a door of the aircraft. Each of the adjustable rods includes a telescopic body configured to extend and retract in length, and a spring configured to compress to reduce the length of the telescopic body, and to expand to extend the length of the telescopic body. Each adjustable rod also includes a locking mechanism configured to lock the telescopic body at a fixed length to prevent expansion of the spring, and to unlock the telescopic body to release the spring and adjust the telescopic body to an adjusted length.