Abstract: An aircraft undercarriage having a drag stay mechanism 22 extending upwardly and rearwardly from a main leg portion of the gear to a part of the aircraft structure. The undercarriage also includes a locking linkage extending between the main leg 10 and the drag stay means 22, being arranged releasably to lock the drag stay members 24, 26 in a substantially in-line position.

Abstract: An aircraft nose landing gear installation that utilizes a single piece pin inserted through the gear fittings and into the two piece, fail safe support structure without requiring mechanical retention on the outside of the wheel well.

Abstract: A hydraulic system for retracting into and extending out of the body of an aircraft a landing gear for use in taking off and landing, comprises a housing unit which has a hydraulic pump, a hydraulic actuator, a shuttle valve, an emergency valve, an actuator pressure releasing mechanism, and a mechanically locking mechanism accommodated therein. The hydraulic actuator has a piston rod assembly received therein to be reciprocably moved by the hydraulic pump to assume a retraction position and an extended position. The shuttle valve is movable with respect to the housing unit for selectively changing the flow of the hydraulic fluid between the hydraulic pump and the hydraulic actuator. The emergency valve is movable with respect to the housing unit to assume two different positions for selectively changing the flow of the hydraulic fluid between the hydraulic pump and the hydraulic actuator and the flow of the hydraulic pump and the fluid pressure reservoir.

Abstract: The invention is illustrated by two embodiments of an aircraft landing gear manual release assembly each comprising a sequential main gear mechanism (MGM) for sequential release of port and starboard main door uplocks (MDU) followed by release of port and starboard main gear uplocks (MGU) and a sequential nose gear mechanism (NGM) for sequential release of a nose door uplock (NDU) followed by release of a nose gear uplock (NGU). The assemblies are characterized by a single control handle actuator (CHA) for movement from a gear stowed position to a gear deployed position for sequential actuation of the main gear mechanism (MGM) followed by actuation of the nose gear mechanism (NGM) through cable assemblies (20 or 120) and (22 or 122). The single control handle actuator (CHA) includes a single control handle (30 or 130) and a first support bracket (31 or 131) movably supporting the control handle (30 or 130) and a lost motion member (32 or 132) movably supported by the first support bracket (31 or 131).

Abstract: An aircraft nose landing gear installation that utilizes a single piece pin inserted through the gear fittings and into the two piece, fail safe support structure without requiring mechanical retention on the outside of the wheel well.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for displaying state and transition state information of mechanical equipment. A sensor and display system is provided for displaying aircraft landing gear status and other mechanism status. In one embodiment, the system utilizes two light emitting diodes (LEDs) for each landing gear leg to display the current position of each gear leg. One yellow LED indicates gear UP and the second green LED shows gear DOWN position. When the control switch is moved to change the position of the gear, the indicator light which had been lit is extinguished, and the indicator for the desired position begins to flash, indicating gear movement. The indicator will continue to flash until the gear leg has reached the limit of travel, at which time the indicator stops flashing and glows steadily. Each gear leg indicator operates independently of the others, so that proper position of each gear leg can be confirmed and any malfunction can immediately be identified.

Abstract: An operator for lowering and retracting two or more landing gear on an aircraft with a single motor. The output of the motor is modified by a reduction gear assembly, then rotates a drive shaft of each drive, there being one drive for each landing gear assembly. Output of each drive shaft turns a universal joint, then a screw shaft fixed to the universal joint. The screw shaft is arranged to turn in a threaded collar fixed to a tubular stabilizing strut connected to the main strut of the landing gear such that rotation telescopically extends and contracts the paired strut and screw shaft when the latter rotates. Two opposing landing gear are driven by mirror image drives of the operator. Optionally, a third drive shaft and screw shaft lower and retract the nose wheel or tail wheel of the aircraft.

Abstract: Landing gear (10) for an airplane including an elongate strut (12) having a first end and a second end longitudinally spaced therefrom. The first end of the strut being pivotally attached to the airplane for pivotal movement of the strut between an extended position for taxiing and landing of the airplane and a retracted position for stowage of the landing gear within a landing gear bay. The landing gear assembly also includes elongate first and second hub assemblies (70) and (72) each having first and second ends. Landing wheels (20) and (22) are journaled to each of the second ends of the hub assemblies. The first ends of the hub assemblies are attached to the second end of the strut for swinging movement thereof between an unsplayed position, wherein the wheels are parallel to each other, and a splayed position, wherein the first and second hub assemblies are spread to a predetermined angle from each other to permit stowage of the landing gear within the landing gear bay with minimal intrusion.

Abstract: An aircraft landing gear wheel stowage structure including a wing rear spar extending laterally across the aircraft; a mid bulkhead extending laterally across the aircraft and displaced rearwardly of the wing rear spar; a pressure bulkhead extending laterally across the aircraft and displaced rearwardly of the mid bulkhead; first and second longitudinal keel structures laterally spaced on each side of a longitudinal axis of the aircraft and traversing the wing rear spar, the mid bulkhead and the pressure bulkhead. The wing rear spar, the mid bulkhead, the first keel structure, and the second keel structure form a first forward outboard wheel well compartment that is outboard of the first keel structure, a second forward outboard wheel well compartment that is outboard of the second keel structure, and a forward central wheel well compartment that is between the first keel structure and the second keel structure.

Abstract: Landing gear axle steering for an aircraft having a six wheel three axle truck. A set of wheels driven about a vertical shaft utilizes a single actuator alone without a walking beam.

Abstract: A nose landing gear assembly on an airplane with a front fuselage section having a wheel bay defined therein and a pair of laterally spaced side compartments defined therein on each side of the wheel bay by respective laterally spaced side walls. A nose landing gear is mounted on the fuselage section for pivotal lifting and lowering movement into and out of the wheel bay. The nose landing gear assembly includes an actuator disposed in one of the side compartments for lifting the nose landing gear into and lowering the nose landing gear out of the wheel bay, and a steering device disposed in the other of the side compartments for steering the nose landing gear while the airplane is taxiing. Since the actuator and the steering device are concealed in the respective side compartments, they are protected from foreign-object damage. The nose landing gear assembly allows the airplane cabin to have increased space because the actuator and the steering device are positioned laterally of the nose landing gear.

Abstract: The invention relates to aircraft landing gear of the type that is laterally-raisable and that has twin wheels in a side-by-side configuration. According to the invention, the leg is constituted by an upside-down L-shaped strut whose two branches are hinged together, comprising a beam-forming first branch that is hinged to the structure of the aircraft and a second branch having a wheel lever hinged to the end thereof. The wheel lever is also connected to the first branch via a shock absorber. A controlling guide bar connects the second branch to the structure of the aircraft via a fork swivel-mounted on said second branch, in such a manner as to cause said second branch to move forwards while the landing ger is being raised, such forwards movement causing the wheels to be folded in because the shock absorber then acts as a second guide bar.

Abstract: The invention relates to a raisable undercarriage comprising a hinged leg and associated bracing means. According to the invention, the undercarriage is of the leg-shortening type, and the bracing means are organized in the form of a foldable brace having its bottom arm hinged to bottom end of the sliding rod of the hinged leg, said brace further being organized so that, in the undercarriage down position, the lowered leg slopes towards the front of the aircraft.

Abstract: A linear actuator, in particular for driving an aircraft landing gear leg, the actuator comprising a main body with a screw that is prevented from moving axially and that is constrained to rotate with a coaxial gear wheel that meshes with the outlet gear wheel of a driving motor and gear box assembly, and a nut that is secured to a sliding guide rod inside said main body. According to the invention, the rotary connection between the screw and the coaxial gear wheel is provided by declutchable coupling means, which means is declutched in an emergency for the purpose of releasing the screw by associated trigger means whose operation requires very little energy.

Abstract: An aircraft landing locking pin (12) automatically repositions from an engage position, wherein a rotating portion (15) of the landing gear is prevented from rotating, to a released position, wherein the rotating portion if free to rotate, in response to excessive side loading on the landing gear. The locking pin comprises a spring loaded actuator (32,34,60) which urges a roller (19) of a lock pin assembly (20) in contact with a bushing (22). In response to a side loading on the landing gear in excess of a predetermined loading, the locking pin is automatically released wherein the roller is expelled from the bushing. The threshold loading is determined as a function of the spring force applied to the lock pin assembly via the actuator linkage. The locking pin automatically reengages when the lock pin assembly is aligned with the bushing.

Abstract: A control member is rotatably mounted on the fuselage or on the wing of a model aircraft in spaced relation with a supporting surface of the fuselage. A gear leg is supported at one end by the control member and supports a landing wheel at its spaced opposite end. The gear leg extends radially of the control member. A torsion spring is coaxially mounted with the control member for storing energy when the control member is in a position whereby the gear leg is fully extended for ground operations and for releasing stored energy to rotate the control member in a manner whereby the gear leg is retracted for flying operations. A gear retracting initiator coupled to the torsion spring initiates gear retraction. An extend lock locks the gear leg in its fully extended position. A retract lock locks the gear leg in its retracted position.

Abstract: The invention relates to raisable landing gear having a shortenable leg, including a shock absorber fitted with a plunger rod, and a linkage connecting said plunger rod to the strut of the shock absorber, under the control of a resilient connecting rod having a threshold, serving to pull on the shock absorber when the leg is raised. According to the invention, the linkage includes two arms forming an alignment, with a first arm hinged on the plunger rod and having a lateral appendix whose free end is capable of co-operating with a stationary cam secured to the structure of the airplane, and a second arm which is hinged to the strut. The lateral appendix and the stationary cam are organized to operate in an emergency, in the event of the threshold connecting rod failing, thereby ensuring that the shock absorber is extended and that said lengthened shock absorber is locked in the undercarriage-down position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a shock-absorbing actuator including a cylindrical body and a hollow rod having an annular piston. The cylindrical body includes a separator piston delimiting two hydraulic fluid chambers, one of which communicates via a distributor valve with the hydraulic circuit of the aircraft, said distributor valve being closed automatically at the end of lowering the landing gear; the annular chamber communicates via a second distributor valve with said hydraulic circuit. The distributor valves thus make it possible to extend and retract the shock-absorbing actuator. In addition, a force peak-limiting means is disposed in an extension extending beyond an end wall of the body that forms one of the abutments for the separator piston.

Abstract: The invention relates to raisable landing gear including a shock absorber having a strut and a sliding rod, together with a two-alignment hinged side-brace. According to the invention, unlocking means are provided to break the secondary alignment, thereby breaking the main alignment while the landing gear is being raised, said means being essentially constituted by a lever mounted to rotate on one of the arms of the main alignment, and by a motor and gear box assembly for driving said rotary lever in rotation and further including an unlocking arm that, when said motor and gear box assembly is in action, co-operates with the lower arm of the secondary alignment to break said secondary alignment. Return means are also associated with the rotary lever to ensure that it returns to its initial position when the landing gear is raised.

Abstract: The invention relates to raisable landing gear having a shock absorber strut and a sliding rod. According to the invention, the landing gear includes a lateral stabilizer hinged to the strut and fitted with a wheel at its free end, together with mechanical coupling means associated with said lateral stabilizer, in such a manner that: firstly lowering the landing gear deploys the lateral stabilizer so that its wheel, when the landing gear is in its lowered position, provides support additional to that provided by the wheels of the wheel set, and also constitutes a lateral stabilizer proper during taxiing of the airplane; and secondly raising the landing gear folds the lateral stabilizer so as to enable the entire landing gear assembly to be housed when in the raised position. It then becomes possible to organize the landing gear beneath the fuselage of the airplane, thereby making it possible to obtain landing gear that is extremely short.

Abstract: An actuator for raising and lowering aircraft landing gear in accordance with the extended and retracted state of the actuator includes a cylindrical casing, a piston assembly slidable along the axis of the casing, a fluid pressure source, a sealed chamber containing gas, a free piston forced by fluid pressure along the casing axis to compress the gas, latching devices for locking the piston assembly to the casing, a locking mechanism for holding the free piston in position on the pressure tube when the gas is compressed and hydraulic passages interconnecting the chamber containing pressurized gas and the space containing pressurized hydraulic fluid. A mechanism is provided for initiating automatic retraction of the actuator due to the effect of a self-contained perpetual source of compressed gas if hydraulic pressure is lost. A compression spring stores a force while the piston assembly moves between retracted and extended positions.

Abstract: A folding strut having upper and lower portions (14, 16/62, 64) are connected together by a pivotal joint (18, 66, 68) for folding movement relative to one another upon extension and retraction of the strut. The upper portion (14, 62) of the strut is pivotally mounted to the aircraft frame (52, 80). A locking brace (42, 44/84, 86) extends between the upper and lower strut portions (14, 16/62, 64) to brace the strut against folding. The upper and lower portions of the strut are axially aligned (C, F) when the strut is in a fully-deployed position and the locking brace (42, 44/84, 86) maintains the strut portions (14, 16/62, 64) in this axially-aligned position. The locking brace (42, 44/84, 86) is releasable to allow relative folding movement of the upper and lower portions (14, 16/62, 64) for retraction of the strut to a stowed position.

Abstract: A retractable wing-mounted landing gear (10) for a heavy airplane with an aft center of gravity includes a trunnion (12), an aftly-cantilevered strut member (26), a ground-contacting wheel assembly (44, 46), and a folding drag brace (30). The trunnion (12) is operably mounted to the wing (14) for pivotal movement about a substantially forward and aft axis of rotation. The trunnion (12) is rotatable to cause substantially lateral movement of the gear (10) between in-use and stored positions. The strut member (26) has upper and lower ends, the upper end being pivotally connected (28) to the trunnion (12) for relative forward and aft movement thereto. The pivotal connection (28) has an axis of rotation substantially perpendicular to that of the trunnion (12). The ground-contacting wheel assembly (44, 46) is operably connected to the lower end (54) of the strut member (26).

Abstract: A gripping and locking arrangement for an aircraft movable component such as a flap door or undercarriage comprises a piston and a piston rod operative as a means for sensing a closing movement of the flap door or undercarriage, and also operative automatically actively to pull same by means of a closing hook into a position in which it is to be locked. The arrangement includes a locking member displaceable within the piston to move lock elements into a locking position and to hold them in the locking position until the arrangement receives a hydraulic pressure signal for causing lowering of the flap door or undercarriage, and the locking member is then displaced whereby the lock elements move into a release position. The hydraulic oil pressure can then act on the piston to produce displacement thereof into a position in which the closing hook releases the flap door or undercarriage component.

Abstract: A retractable landing gear is arranged so as to provide, in use, a highly inclined shock absorber while avoiding high shearing stresses on the shock absorber. The landing gear includes a pivoting panel fixed to an aircraft structure to pivot about a raising axis; a shock absorber including a strut fixed to the pivoting panel so as to pivot relative thereto about a tilt axis, and a sliding rod mounted to slide in the strut and carrying a set of wheels at its bottom end; and a coupling member connected to the pivoting plate and to the bottom end of the sliding rod. Also included is a mechanism for raising and holding the landing gear.

Abstract: A self-contained shortening and folding apparatus for retracting aircraft front landing gear, thereby conserving space within the storage bay.

Abstract: The invention is a retractable landing gear for an aircraft. In detail, the landing gear includes a main strut having a first end pivotally attached to the airframe and a second end having a wheel assembly attached thereto. The main strut is rotatable about a pivot axis through an angle defined by the extended and retracted positions. a drag strut is pivotally attached by its first end to the airframe and by its second end to the main strut. The drag strut includes upper and lower strut members pivotally attached together at an intermediate point, with the intermediate point located angularly from the pivot axis of the main strut at an angle that is one half the angle rotated by the main strut from the extended position to the retracted position. An overcenter downlock and uplock linkage is provided for locking the main strut in either the extended or retracted position.

Abstract: The disclosed invention provides a main landing gear (12, 14, 16, 18) for a high speed (supersonic) aircraft (10) which may be wing-stowed and -mounted in a relatively thin wing (22, 24). The main landing gear (12, 14, 16, 18) is characterized by an inboard gear (12, 14) including a post (58) having a transverse trunnion (52) at a first end (56 or 54) operably mounted on the wing (22, 24). The trunnion (52) is journalled for rotation about an axis for movement of the post (58) between operative and stowed positions. This axis is substantially transverse to the body of the aircraft for forward rotation of the inboard gear (12, 14). A wheel assembly (78, 80) is operably attached at a second end of the post (58). The wheel assembly (78, 80) has a plane of rotation which when stowed in the wing (22, 24) is substantially vertical. In combination with the inboard gear (12, 14) is an outboard gear (16, 18) which includes a post (90) having a skewed trunnion (92) at a first end operably mounted on the wing (22, 24).

Abstract: Device for increasing the lateral stability of a helicopter having a tricycle landing gear (2, 6), when it is set down on a moving platform. The device comprises two lateral stabilizers (13), each equipped with a wheel (16) for support on the platform and connected to the structure of the helicopter by an essentially rigid support, comprising a leg (17), about whose axis the wheel (16) can turn, the leg (17) itself being connected to the structure by a rigid and transverse component which may be a pivot axle if the leg can be raised, or a slidingly fitted arm if the stabilizer (13) is additional. The stabilizers may also be integrated into a towing trolley.

Abstract: A device for steering the wheels fitted to the bottom end of the leg (1) of the nose landing gear of an aircraft, the wheels being steered about the axis of the leg, the leg (1) comprising a strut (2) hinged to the structure of the aircraft, a tube (4) mounted to rotate inside the strut (2) and projecting outside the strut, a rod (5) slidably mounted inside the tube (4) and carrying the wheels at its free end, and a scissor linkage (6) for constraining the tube (4) and the rod (5) to rotate together.

Abstract: An aircraft undercarriage unit adaptable for long body or short body aircraft comprising a main leg including extendable oleopneumatic shock-absorbing means which pivotally carries at its lower end a bogie beam on which are mounted forward and rearward pairs of wheels and torque links interconnecting the forward end of the bogie beam and the main leg. The torque links include locking means whereby they are adaptable to form a tie bar, effectively forming a fulcrum. By this arrangement as the loads on the undercarriage are reduced at the end of a take-off run, extension of the oleopneumatic shock absorbing means will cause the bogie beam to tilt about the locked torque links, thereby effectively lengthening the undercarriage and increasing the maximum possible rotation angle of the aircraft.

Abstract: A multiwheel landing gear assembly includes a forward set of wheels which are in tandem with a middle set of wheels which in turn are in tandem with a rear set of wheels. The forward set of wheels are connected to a main support strut of the landing gear by a levered arrangement. The middle and rear set of wheels are connected together by a truck beam which in turn is connected to the main support strut by a radius rod. When the middle and rear wheels are subject to an upward force such as when the aircraft is landing, the radius rod limits movement of the wheels in a generally upward direction along a path having a radius which is equal to the length of the radius rod. Movement of the middle and rear wheels along the path in the upward direction is resisted by a shock absorber. In this manner, the vertical loads are reacted in a lengthwise direction along the radius rod and shock absorber.

Abstract: This invention relates to a rolling system for aircraft, comprising telescopic landing gears which abut on the ground via wheels and which present a variable length as a function of the load applied thereto by said aircraft. According to the invention, this system comprises at least one jack assembly capable of outwardly pressing at least one rolling member with a constant force and said rolling member is placed in contact with the ground only after impact of the telescopic landing gears and when the length of said telescopic landing gears corresponds to a predetermined load threshold applied thereto, said threshold being less than the load corresponding to take-off.

Abstract: Initial retraction of telescoping cylinders (22, 72) forces hydraulic fluid through an orifice area into a low pressure chamber (116). When the cylinders (22, 72) reach a predetermined position, a stop surface (120) carried by the second cylinder (72) engages a floating member (52) carried by the first cylinder (22). Further retraction causes the floating member (52) to move relative to the first cylinder (22) and compress a high pressure chamber (44). When the shock strut (20) is pivoted into a stowed position, the cylinders (22, 72) are retracted to the predetermined position without compressing the high pressure chamber (44). In a second embodiment, a linkage mechanism (298) moves the high pressure chamber (318) relative to the first cylinder (272) to allow the shock strut (220) to be shortened beyond the predetermined position without compressing the high pressure chamber 318.

Abstract: A control mechanism according to the invention comprises a crank (13) constrained to rotate with the catapult bar (10), a catapult bar linkage comprising a link (14) and a lever (16) which are hinged to each other, and having a first end hinged to the crank (13) at a point distant from the pivot pin of the catapult bar, and a second end hinged about a pin (17) carried by the landing gear and distant from the pivot pin (11) of the catapult bar (10), and control means (18) for controlling the relative disposition of the link and the lever.

Abstract: A one moving part, bi-directional rotary displacement mechanism for conveying rotational movement about an axis to movable members in flight vehicles. In consists of an enclosure having bi-directional rotation capability, encapsulating a vane with bi-directional ducts venting from its load bearing surfaces. The vane is affixed to a bi-directionally ducted shaft, having bi-direcitonal rotation capability, extending through the center and outside of the enclosure. A conically shaped, sealed, positive stop, with load bearing surfaces, eminating from the inside radius of the housing, points toward the horizontal axis, supports the shaft and facilitates axial rotation. The vane has a radius concentric with the inside radius of the enclosure and allows sealed bi-directional rotary movement between the two surfaces. Two sealed cavities exist between the load bearing surfaces of the vane and the positive stop. Pressure to and from the cavities flows through the joined vane and shaft ducting.

Abstract: A retractable caster to facilitate moving an object. The caster comprises a frame having a planar base and sides circumscribing the base to form a cavity having an opening. The frame is secured to the bottom of the object. A first rigid flap is provided secured to the frame by a hinge to swing about an axis between open position perpendicular to the base and closed position parallel to but spaced from the base to close at least a portion of the cavity opening. A wheel is rotatably supported by a wheel support assembly secured to the flap. A portion of the wheel extends beyond the lower edge of the flap when in open position. An articulated strut is secured to and extends between a portion of the frame and the wheel support assembly. The strut folds when the wheel is in retracted position so that the wheel, wheel support and strut are fitted within the cavity between the base and the flap in closed position. A lock is provided with the strut for releasably locking the strut in operable position.

Abstract: A two-stage aircraft gear. The landing gear includes a cantilever landing gear whose lower end is attached to a trailing arm (or articulated) landing gear. The cantilever gear is a collapsible piston-cylinder assembly, and the trailing arm gear also has a shock absorber connected between a fixed portion of the trailing arm gear and the movable wheel support arm. When landing, the load imposed is first absorbed by the trailing arm landing gear. After the trailing arm gear has been fully compressed, the cantilever gear begins to compress. The cantilever and trailing arm landing gear can be combined to provide the desired performance. The landing gear static position can be designed to be in the static load curve of the first component, allowing the aircraft to be stably supported and yet difficult to overturn.

Abstract: A flexible solar skin which absorbs radiant solar energy to convert it into electricity, made possible through a conductive plastic, which conceals a conductive fiber, whereby the fiber directs generated electricity to a terminal in the form of a contact strip hemmed or fused alongside the material. Additionally, an air vehicle covered with this photovoltaic material to collect solar radiant energy during flight which is converted into electricity to assist the propulsion system of the vehicle.

Abstract: A hydraulic control cylinder (64) is used to swing the upper part (14) of a two part wheel strut (14, 16) about an axis of rotation (18) established at the upper end of the upper strut part (14) and at an upper central location within a stowage compartment (10). A folding drag brace assembly (102) is connected between the strut (16) and a lower rear portion of the stowage compartment (10). During use of the control cylinder (64) for swinging the upper strut part (14) rearwardly and upwardly, the drag brace (102) folds automatically in the manner of a pantographic device, and functions to fold the lower strut part (16) up against the upper strut part (14) within the stowage compartment (10). A mechanism is provided for rotating the wheel assembly (30) W, relative to the lower strut part (16), for the purpose of properly positioning the wheel assembly (30) W for movement into the stowage compartment (10).

Abstract: A port control member (80) is depressed by either a mechanical force (124) applied on it by the pilot (44), for moving it to meter pressure and flow from a supply pressure (72) to the wheel brakes (34) , or a hydraulic pressure force (128) applied following take-off, to activate the brakes (34) for stopping the wheels from spinning. The valve housing (62) defines an annular command pressure chamber (102) surrounding a portion of the port control member (80). The port control member (80) provides a larger pressure surface (128) to this chamber in the brake applying direction than it does in the opposite direction. This area differential results in pressure within the command pressure chamber (102) acting to move the port control member (80) in a brake applying direction. The command pressure chamber (102) may be connected to the wheel retract system (130) so that pressure is delivered into this chamber (102) automatically at the start of the wheel retraction operation.

Abstract: A jump strut landing gear apparatus for providing an aircraft with a short takeoff and landing capability, utilizes incrementally fired, pyrotechnic charges to explosively generate the required compressed fluid to drive the apparatus.

Abstract: Each rocking arm (9, 10) hinged to a shock absorber (7, 8) has a lateral extension (13, 14) extending at an acute angle a to one side of the shock absorber (7, 8). This extension (13, 14) is connected by a telescopic strut (15, 16) to the opposite end (7A, 8A) of the same shock absorber (7, 8) in order to shorten said shock absorber when the landing gear is raised, thereby reducing the space it occupies in the raised position.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improvement in a jumbo aircraft, in particular of high-wing monoplane design, with a fuselage and a retractable and steerable main landing gear and a device for high lift generation, the improvement comprising (a) a plurality of rows of landing gear units mounted along the aircraft fuselage and spread across a range extending predominantly in the longitudinal aircraft direction, the units forming the main landing gear, (b) the landing gear units being of the same design and identical dimensions, and (c) a device for switching-on the lift generating device at predetermined lift conditions together with setting and maintaining a longitudinal attitude of the aircraft or of its landing gear parallel to the taxiway and runway, whereby the take-off phase or the landing phase is performed using the method of direct lift control.

Abstract: An extendable shock strut comprising a strut housing having an open end and a closed end and a piston including a piston housing and a piston head slidable in the strut housing. The piston housing and the strut housing are adapted to move a selected distance relative to one another under normal usage. A source of high pressure gas is provided coupled to the shock strut for rapidly driving the strut housing and the piston housing relative to one another to an extended position. In a particular embodiment of the invention, an expandable chamber is formed from the closed end of the strut housing and a secondary piston slidable in the strut housing and positioned between the closed end of the strut housing and the piston head. The high pressure gas rapidly expands the chamber and drives the secondary piston toward the piston head to cause the piston housing and the strut housing to move relative to one another to the extended position.

Abstract: The low portion (9) of a landing gear strut (3) carrying running means such as a wheel (8) is capable of swivelling together with the running means relative to the strut. A system of cranks (17) receives the necessary force for swivelling the wheel during retraction and extension of the landing gear from a rod (13) which is fixed to the aircraft structure (2) at a point different from the point at which the strut (3) is fixed. The rod (13) is of variable length (piston and cylinder arrangement 31), and the crank system has a stop (33) against excessive swivelling. The arrangement is such that swivelling is restricted to a selected portion of the landing gear's travel, e.g. to ensure that the wheel enters the aircraft body at a particular degree of swivel.

Abstract: In an aircraft having an alternate gear extension system as a backup for use by the pilot in the event of failure of the main gear extension system, a ground-crew operated subsystem is integrated with the pilot's alternate gear extension equipment for enabling the ground-crew to open and close the gear door by controls accessible on the underside of the aircraft fuselage. The integration of these two functions involves dual use of certain of the electrical and hydraulic components so that frequent and scheduled operation of the door opening function by ground-crew personnel automatically exercises the alternate gear extension mode to ensure its operability as a safety backup to the main gear extension system.

Abstract: A shaped support beam is joined to and extends laterally across a landing gear door to provide support and to hold a retracted airplane landing gear in position when the landing gear door is closed. Pivotable linkage, extending between airplane structure and the shaped support beam, press against the landing gear to hold the gear in the retracted position with the door latched, and to be pressed against to move an unlatched door aside to permit extension of the landing gear into operating position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to landing gear. The landing gear has a strut (2) having one end pivotally mounted about a first axis (4) suitable for connection to the structure (1) of an aircraft. A lower portion (6) for supporting running gear (10) is pivotally mounted relative to said strut (2) to pivot about a second axis. A collapsible side brace (20) has one end suitable for connection to a first point (27) of the aircraft structure (1) for pivoting about a third axis (29) and a fourth axis (30) providing rotation with two degrees of freedom about said third and fourth axes respectively. The third axis (29) passes through said first point (27) being situated on a line which is not colinear with the first axis but which intersects said first axis at a second point (40). A pivot pin (33) is rotatable about a fifth axis (35), the fifth axis not being colinear with said first (4), third (29) and fourth (30) axes and being situated on a line which passes through said second point (40).

Abstract: The landing gear comprises a shock absorber (4) having a rod (6) slidable in a cylinder (6), a wheel (12) linked to the cylinder, a guide sheath (14) surrounding the shock absorber (4), releasably engageable means (17) for fixing the cylinder at least in rotation relative to the guide sheath (14), and a strut (21) surrounding the sheath. When the strut is retracted under the control of an actuator (42) a rod (80) draws the sheath (14) into the strut (21) thereby compacting the landing gear lengthwise, at the same time a helical groove (38) cooperates with a groove follower (40) to turn the sheath, and hence the shock absorber cylinder (6) and the nose wheel (12) so that the wheel lies flat inside the aircraft when retracted.