Patents by Inventor Robert Ian Thompson

Robert Ian Thompson has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8376273
    Abstract: A method of braked pivot turning an aircraft, the aircraft comprising a fuselage and a landing gear assembly located to one side thereof. The landing gear comprises a bogie with wheels mounted thereon, at least one wheel being located on a first side of the bogie and at least one wheel being located on a second side of the bogie. The method includes the steps of applying thrust (7?) for moving or turning the aircraft, and via the braking of at least one wheel, applying a greater braking force to the first side of the bogie than to the second side. The first side is located closer to the center of turning of the aircraft than the second side. The method thereby generates relatively low torque loads in the landing gear leg, reducing fatigue damage. A brake control system is also provided for selectively braking wheels during a turn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Airbus Operations Limited
    Inventor: Robert Ian Thompson
  • Publication number: 20110031348
    Abstract: An aircraft landing gear comprising: an arm mounted to a pivot and carrying one or more wheel assemblies; and a composite leaf spring which is coupled to the arm and arranged to provide a resilient biasing force which opposes rotation of the arm about the pivot. The arm can be made relatively stiff in comparison with the leaf spring, so that load is transferred directly into the pivot without a large amount of bending of the leg. The leaf spring shock absorber typically has a reduced part count compared with a conventional oleo-pneumatic shock absorber. By forming the leaf spring from a composite material, its weight is significantly reduced in comparison with a conventional metal spring, making it suitable for use on a relatively large aircraft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2009
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Applicant: AIRBUS UK LIMITED
    Inventor: Robert Ian Thompson
  • Publication number: 20080283660
    Abstract: A method of braked pivot turning an aircraft, the aircraft comprising a fuselage and a landing gear assembly located to one side thereof. The landing gear comprises a bogie with wheels mounted thereon, at least one wheel being located on a first side of the bogie and at least one wheel being located on a second side of the bogie. The method includes the steps of applying thrust (7?) for moving or turning the aircraft, and via the braking of at least one wheel, applying a greater braking force to the first side of the bogie than to the second side. The first side is located closer to the centre of turning of the aircraft than the second side. The method thereby generates relatively low torque loads in the landing gear leg, reducing fatigue damage. A brake control system is also provided for selectively braking wheels during a turn.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2006
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Applicant: AIRBUS UK LIMITED
    Inventor: Robert Ian Thompson