Patent classifications
B64C2025/125
Non-jamming shrink latch mechanism
A non jamming shrink latch is provided and may comprise a cradle, a first rocker arm, a first inboard pivot, and a first outboard pivot, wherein the first inboard pivot is coupled to the first rocker arm at a first end and the first outboard pivot is coupled to the first rocker arm at a second end opposite the first end, and wherein the cradle is coupled to the first outboard pivot. In various embodiments, a non jamming shrink latch may further comprise a second rocker arm coupled to the cradle at a second outboard pivot and a second inboard pivot coupled to the second rocker arm opposite the second outboard pivot.
AIRCRAFT MAIN LANDING GEAR DRAG BRACE BACKUP FITTING ASSEMBLIES AND RELATED METHODS
Aircraft main landing gear drag brace backup fitting assemblies and related methods are described herein. An example aircraft wing disclosed herein includes a rear spar having a rear side and a front side opposite the rear side, a side-of-body rib coupled to the rear spar, a rib post disposed on the front side of the rear spar, where the rib post is to couple a second rib to the rear spar, a side-of-body fitting coupled to the side-of-body rib, an intercostal member coupled between the side-of-body fitting and the rib post, and a drag brace fitting disposed on the rear side of the rear spar. The drag brace fitting is coupled to the rib post and the side-of-body fitting via a first plurality of fasteners extending through the rear spar.
AIRCRAFT LANDING GEAR FORWARD TRUNNION SUPPORT ASSEMBLIES AND RELATED METHODS
Aircraft landing gear forward trunnion support assemblies and related methods are described herein. An example aircraft wing disclosed herein includes a rear spar having a rear side and a front side opposite the rear side and a forward trunnion support assembly. The forward trunnion support assembly includes first and second vertical support fittings coupled to the rear side of the rear spar, and a trunnion housing with a bearing. The trunnion housing is coupled between the first and second vertical support fittings. A central axis of the bearing is perpendicular to the rear side of the rear spar. The forward trunnion support assembly also includes a side load fitting disposed on the rear side of the rear spar. A first end of the side load fitting is coupled to the second vertical support fitting, and a second end of the side load fitting is coupled to the rear spar.
LIGHT TWIN ENGINE AIRCRAFT
An aircraft includes a fuselage having a nose end and a tail end and a center of gravity. A primary wing is coupled to the fuselage aft of the center of gravity. A secondary wing is coupled to the fuselage forward of the center of gravity. A v-tail is coupled to the fuselage between the primary wing and the tail end of the fuselage, the v-tail comprising first and second angled stabilizers, each of the first and second stabilizers including a first end fixed to the fuselage and a second free end, distal to the fuselage.
Cable-Driven Four-Bar Link Leg Mechanism
A leg mechanism includes an articulated leg system (100), a passive device (130) and a cable (134). The articulated leg system (100) has a leg portion (128). The passive device (130) is coupled to the articulated leg system and is configured to apply a first force to a portion thereof. The cable (134) is coupled to the articulated leg system (100) and is configured to apply a second force, in opposition to the first force, to a portion thereof. When the cable (134) is drawn away from the articulated leg system (100), the second force moves the leg portion (128) in a first direction. When tension is released from the cable (134), the passive device (130) exerts the first force so as to move the leg portion (128) a second direction that is opposite the first direction.
Landing gear
A landing gear is disclosed having a main strut connected at one end to an aircraft via a main joint is disclosed. The landing gear further includes an inboard sidestay assembly connected to the main strut. The inboard sidestay assembly includes a forward stay connected at one end to the aircraft, a rear stay connected at one end to the fuselage, and a shear web extending between the forward stay and the rear stay and configured to resist movement of the forward stay relative to the rear stay. The landing gear is arranged such that when the landing gear is extended substantially all the landing gear loads are transferred from the landing gear to the aircraft via one or more of the main joint, the forward stay and the rear stay.
Aircraft landing gear having a retract actuator, aircraft including the same, and related methods
An aircraft landing gear structure includes a retract actuator and a shrink mechanism. The retract actuator is configured to transition a strut assembly of the aircraft landing gear structure between an extended configuration and a retracted configuration via the shrink mechanism, thereby reducing the overall longitudinal length of the strut assembly. The retract actuator is also configured to retract the aircraft landing gear into a stowage area of the aircraft during flight, via a retraction mechanism. The retraction mechanism may be a walking beam that rotates about a retraction axis to retract the aircraft landing gear structure, while simultaneously actuating the shrink mechanism, such as via a drive link coupling the retraction mechanism and the shrink mechanism. The shrink mechanism may be mechanically slaved to the retraction mechanism. The shrink mechanism may be a locking link assembly.
AIRCRAFT LANDING GEAR MONITORING SYSTEMS AND METHODS
Landing gear monitoring systems and methods for an aircraft include a landing gear timing analysis control unit that is configured to analyze one or both of landing gear motion of one or more landing gears of the aircraft or door motion of one or more doors proximate to the landing gear(s) to determine an operational status of one or both of the landing gear(s) or the door(s).
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.
Aircraft landing gear, aircraft, and related methods
A strut assembly for an aircraft landing gear structure is transitioned between an extended configuration, corresponding to the aircraft being off the ground, and a retracted configuration, in which the strut assembly is shortened along its longitudinal axis with respect to the extended configuration, for stowage during flight. The strut assembly includes an upper bulkhead supported by an upper tubular housing, and a lower tubular housing configured to be longitudinally translated with respect to the upper tubular housing. To transition the strut assembly to the retracted configuration, translation of the upper bulkhead with respect to the upper tubular housing mechanically causes translation of the lower tubular housing to a retracted position, such that the overall length of the strut assembly is reduced. The strut assembly may be an oleo strut assembly.