Abstract: An aircraft landing gear comprising: a shock-absorbing main leg having a sprung part for attachment to an aircraft and an un-sprung part including a slider and an axle carrying at least one wheel, the wheel having a toothed ring gear; a drive transmission mounted externally on the sprung part, or on the un-sprung part, of the main leg, the drive transmission having at least one motor and a drive pinion for meshing with the toothed ring of the wheel; and an actuator for lifting the drive transmission into and out of driving engagement with the toothed ring and for maintaining the driving engagement as the landing gear deflects during a ground taxiing operation. Also, a method of operating the aircraft landing gear.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling power generation in a vehicle may include an engine, a motor connected to a crankshaft of the engine by a connecting device to generate power, a main battery supplying power to the motor, a controller diagnosing a failure of the main battery and generating a reverse output control command to reversely supply seed power for prefluxing the motor to the main battery when the failure occurs, an auxiliary battery outputting the seed power according to the reverse output control command, and a converter regulating the seed power according to the reverse output control command and supplying the regulated seed power to the motor.

Abstract: An operation device includes a stationary portion, a movable portion configured to move in a predetermined direction within a predetermined range, and a load adjuster configured to adjust a movement load of the movable portion. An elastic portion that is elastically deformable is provided to the movable portion. The load adjuster is provided to the stationary portion and provided with a press portion configured to press the elastic portion in a direction intersecting with the moving direction of the movable portion.

Abstract: A torque plate barrel for a braking system includes a torque tube having a first end and a second end spaced from the first end along a central axis. The torque tube has an inner surface and a pedestal. The pedestal has a foot portion disposed and sized for engagement with an axle and a head portion disposed and sized for engagement with the inner surface of the torque tube. The head portion of the pedestal includes a first radius of curvature defining a first surface facing toward the first end of the torque tube and a second radius of curvature defining a second surface facing toward the second end of the torque tube. The pedestal may include different cross sectional geometries extending circumferentially over different angular segments about the inner surface of the torque tube barrel.

Abstract: A method of engaging a drive system with a rotating wheel of an aircraft landing gear is disclosed. A motor is operated to apply torque to a pinion so the pinion rotates. An engagement command is issued to an actuator at an engagement time, and the actuator operates the actuator in response to the engagement command to move the pinion from a neutral position to a contact position in which it contacts a rotating driven gear at an initial contact time, the rotating driven gear being mounted to a rotating wheel of an aircraft landing gear; then after the initial contact time operating the actuator to move the pinion further to a meshing position where the pinion meshes with the driven gear. A centre-to-centre distance between the pinion and the driven gear reduces as the pinion moves to the contact position and to the meshing position.

Abstract: The invention relates to an aircraft landing gear (2) comprising:—a leg (6) having a first leg portion (8) that can be pivotably connected to a load-bearing structure of the aircraft (1) in order for the landing gear (2) to be deployed and retracted, and a second leg portion (9) that is rotatable in relation to the first leg portion (8);—a wheel (13, 14) that is rotatable in relation to the second leg portion (9), and an electric motor (15, 16) that can rotate the wheel (13, 14) in relation to the second leg portion (9);—a transmission mechanism (17) designed to selectively transmit torque generated by the electric motor (15, 16) to the wheel (13, 14) in order to rotate the wheel in relation to the second leg portion (9) or to the second leg portion (9) in order to rotate the second leg portion (9) in relation to the first leg portion (8).

Abstract: A circular wave drive system, and a method for use of a circular wave drive, are provided. In one embodiment, a circular wave drive is provided, the circular wave drive comprising: a substantially enclosed housing having a chamber therein, a ring-shaped wheel residing in the chamber, a wave generator having a wheel-driving portion that is oriented within the hollow central portion of the ring-shaped wheel; and an output element having a wheel-driven portion that is oriented within the hollow central portion of the ring-shaped wheel opposite the wheel-driving portion of the wave generator.

Abstract: The invention relates to an aircraft landing gear (2) comprising: —a leg (6) that can be pivotably connected to a load-bearing structure of the aircraft (1) in order for the landing gear (2) to be deployed and retracted; —a wheel (13, 14) that is rotatable in relation to the leg (6), and an electric motor (15, 16) that can rotate the wheel (13, 14) in relation to the leg (6); —a transmission mechanism (17) designed to selectively transmit torque generated by the electric motor (15, 16) to the wheel (13, 14) in order to rotate the wheel in relation to the leg (6) or to the leg (6) in order to rotate the leg (6) in relation to the load-bearing structure of the aircraft (1) in order to deploy or retract the landing gear (2).

Abstract: A method of engaging a drive system with a rotating wheel of an aircraft landing gear is disclosed. A motor is operated to rotate a pinion which is moved from a neutral position to a contact position in which it contacts a rotating driven gear at an initial contact time, the rotating driven gear being mounted to a rotating wheel of an aircraft landing gear; then after the initial contact time moving the pinion further to a meshing position where the pinion meshes with the driven gear. A center-to-center distance between the pinion and the driven gear reduces as the pinion moves to the contact position and to the meshing position. The driven gear has Ngear teeth or rollers, the pinion has Npinion teeth or rollers which mesh with the teeth or rollers of the driven gear when the pinion is at the meshing position.

Abstract: A method of engaging a drive system with a rotating wheel of an aircraft landing gear is disclosed. A motor is operated to apply torque to a pinion so the pinion rotates and moved from a neutral position to a contact position in which it contacts a rotating driven gear at an initial contact time, the rotating driven gear being mounted to a rotating wheel of an aircraft landing gear. After the initial contact time the pinion is moved further to a meshing position where the pinion meshes with the driven gear. A center-to-center distance between the pinion and the driven gear reduces as the pinion moves to the contact position and to the meshing position. The driven gear contacts the pinion in a series of impacts as the pinion moves from the contact position to the meshing position, each impact induces a spike in electromotive force or angular velocity at the motor.

Abstract: A drive system for rotating a wheel of an aircraft landing gear is disclosed including a motor operable to rotate a drive pinion via a drive path; and a driven gear adapted to be attached to the wheel so as to be capable of rotating the wheel. The drive system has a drive configuration in which the drive pinion is capable of meshing with the driven gear to permit the motor to drive the driven gear via the drive path. The drive path includes a first compensating gear mounted on a common drive shaft with the drive pinion so as to be capable of rotating in tandem with the drive pinion, and a second compensating gear which is meshed with the first compensating gear. One of the drive pinion and the driven gear includes a roller gear having a series of rollers arranged to form a ring, each roller being rotatable about a roller axis, and the other of the dive pinion and the driven gear comprises a sprocket.

Abstract: A drive system for a landing gear is disclosed having a wheel rotatable about a wheel axis, the a drive assembly comprising an input gear rotatable about an input axis by an input shaft, an engagement assembly comprising a first intermediate gear meshed with the input gear and rotatable about a first intermediate axis by a first intermediate shaft, and a first drive pinion mounted on the first intermediate shaft and arranged to rotate in tandem with the first intermediate gear, the engagement assembly being pivotable about the input shaft relative to the drive assembly. A locking device is engageable to prevent rotation of the first intermediate gear about the first intermediate axis. The drive system also comprises a driven gear is configured to be attached to the wheel so as to be capable of rotating the wheel about the wheel axis.

Abstract: A flight control law enhances braking efficiency through the operation of aircraft elevators (or another pitch control system) using measured longitudinal acceleration and/or pedal position as references to the control law. Through this solution, it is possible to increase the vertical load in the main landing gear and consequently enhance braking efficiency.

Abstract: An aircraft includes: a fairing which covers a lower part of a fuselage having a main landing gear bay (MLG bay), and defines a ventilation cavity communicating with the MLG bay between the fairing and the fuselage; and a heat removal system which removes heat generated from the MLG inside the MLG bay to the outside of the MLG bay by suctioning/discharging air through an inlet port and an outlet port leading from the ventilation cavity or the MLG bay to external air. The fairing defines a wheel opening through which a wheel of the MLG enters and exits, and defines a ventilation port, which functions as one of the inlet and outlet ports, between the fairing and an outer peripheral part of the wheel exposed from the wheel opening to the lower side of the MLG bay when the MLG is retracted.

Abstract: A system and methods are provided for combining systems of an upper stage space launch vehicle for enhancing the operation of the space vehicle. Hydrogen and oxygen already on board as propellant for the upper stage rockets is also used for other upper stage functions to include propellant tank pressurization, attitude control, vehicle settling, and electrical requirements. Specifically, gases from the propellant tanks, instead of being dumped overboard, are used as fuel and oxidizer to power an internal combustion engine that produces mechanical power for driving other elements including a starter/generator for generation of electrical current, mechanical power for fluid pumps, and other uses. The exhaust gas from the internal combustion engine is also used directly in one or more vehicle settling thrusters. Accumulators which store the waste ullage gases are pressurized and provide pressurization control for the propellant tanks.

Abstract: An efficient system and method are provided wherein aircraft may be retrofitted with non-engine drive means controllable to power landing gear wheels to move the aircraft autonomously during ground movement without engines or tow vehicles so that existing landing gear structures are employed to achieve force distribution and load transfer. Non-engine drive means capable of powering a landing gear wheel to move the aircraft during taxi are integrated into existing landing gear designs so that excess drive forces are transferred and distributed through previously evaluated and certificated landing gear structures, including tow fittings, determined to be capable of handling such forces, which eliminates changes to the landing gear and facilitates retrofit and certification. Engines-off taxi technology can be rapidly designed and developed to be retrofitted on existing aircraft nose and/or main landing gear and then efficiently certificated.

Abstract: An aircraft wheel equipped with rotation-drivers (10) attached to clevises (19) projecting from a side of wheel rim (5). The rotation driver includes a ring (11) that is adapted to cooperate with a drive actuator and is provided with members (12) for attaching to the clevises in such a way that, between two attachment members, the ring forms a flexible and deformable segment.

Abstract: An aircraft landing gear including an axle and a wheel (5) that includes a rim (6) mounted to turn on the axle about a first rotation axis (X1), the landing gear further comprising an actuator (12) for driving the wheel (5) in rotation. The rim (6) includes obstacles (33) that project from a lateral face (F) of the rim and the driving actuator includes a lead screw (32) mounted to turn about a second rotation axis (X2) perpendicular to the first rotation axis (X1) and adapted to cooperate with the obstacles of the rim to drive the wheel in rotation.

Abstract: A system and method for setting, controlling, or maintaining a selected taxi speed and route for one or more aircraft equipped with an onboard non-engine powered drive means powering one or more aircraft wheels to move the aircraft during taxi is provided. Taxi speed and/or route can be set, maintained, or controlled by the aircraft pilot or ground traffic control in conjunction with taxi speed and travel of other aircraft and ground vehicles. A pilot activates a speed control to set and control taxi speed. The aircraft will automatically travel on the ground at that speed without input from the pilot until it is necessary to change the speed manually or automatically. Airport ground traffic control can generate taxi profiles for all non-engine driven aircraft to automatically control, subject to pilot capability to override, the taxi of multiple aircraft at an airport in conjunction with ground vehicle movement.

Abstract: Provided is an automatic drive control method for a vehicle in which, as a target control quantity for automatically controlling a rudder angle of front wheels, a target control quantities ??ptj of a pinion angle for the current cycle to the c-th cycle are calculated by prediction according to parameters for trajectory control based on a driving situation of the vehicle; and when a magnitude of a target control quantity ??pt1 for the current cycle is less than a preliminarily set reference value P and it is determined that the probability is high that the target control quantity ??ptj has a sign identical to a sign for the current cycle and the magnitude thereof increases to the reference value P or above by the c-th cycle at the latest, the magnitude of the target control quantity ??pt1 for the current cycle is increasingly corrected to the reference value P.

Abstract: A system, apparatus and method provide emergency differential braking for effecting braked steering of an aircraft. A brake input device is provided that not only allows for emergency and parking brake functions, but also enables differential braking. The brake input device (e.g., a parking and/or emergency brake lever, pedal, handle, etc.) can be used in a brake system including a brake system control unit (BSCU), one or more electro-mechanical actuator controllers (EMACs) and a brake assembly including one or more electrical actuators. Each EMAC is electrically coupled to one or more of the actuators so as to provide electrical power for driving the actuators. Each EMAC is also communicatively coupled to the BSCU so as to receive braking data therefrom. In an emergency, the input device sends braking signals directly to the brake actuators.

Abstract: A circular wave drive system, and a method for use of a circular wave drive, are provided. In one embodiment, a circular wave drive is provided, the circular wave drive comprising: a substantially enclosed housing having a chamber therein, a ring-shaped wheel residing in the chamber, a wave generator having a wheel-driving portion that is oriented within the hollow central portion of the ring-shaped wheel; and an output element having a wheel-driven portion that is oriented within the hollow central portion of the ring-shaped wheel opposite the wheel-driving portion of the wave generator.

Abstract: Hydraulic motor integrated in a vehicular wheel comprising a hub having a cylindrical symmetry supported by a articulated stub axle and defining a development axis of the hub and of the hydraulic motor, a motor body, rotatably integral with the articulated stub axle, having an annular shape and being equipped with radial pistons, a ring nut integral with a hub and wherein said radial pistons act, an hydraulic oil distributor, wherein the hydraulic oil distributor is housed in the hub.

Abstract: An aircraft landing gear comprising: a shock-absorbing main leg having a sprung part for attachment to an aircraft and an un-sprung part including a slider and an axle carrying at least one wheel, the wheel having a toothed ring gear; a drive transmission mounted externally on the sprung part, or on the un-sprung part, of the main leg, the drive transmission having at least one motor and a drive pinion for meshing with the toothed ring of the wheel; and an actuator for lifting the drive transmission into and out of driving engagement with the toothed ring and for maintaining the driving engagement as the landing gear deflects during a ground taxiing operation. Also, a method of operating the aircraft landing gear.

Abstract: A ground remote control system for an aircraft includes a security pairing device configured to establish a first secure communication link and protocol between a remote control device and a ground remote control system controller; and establish a second secure communication link and protocol, using the first communication link and protocol between the remote control device and the ground remote control system controller. The ground remote control system controller is configured to receive drive command signals, brake command signals, steering command signals, and power command signals, from the remote control device and generate the electronic drive commands, the electronic brake commands, the electronic steering commands, and the electronic power commands.

Abstract: A nose landing gear arrangement for an aircraft and a method of assembling the nose landing gear arrangement are disclosed herein. The nose landing gear arrangement includes, but is not limited to, a wheel assembly, a shock strut extending upwards from the wheel assembly towards a fuselage of the aircraft, and a torque arm assembly coupled to the wheel assembly and to the shock strut. The torque arm assembly is configured to transmit torque to the wheel assembly. The torque arm assembly is disposed forward of the shock strut with respect to a direction of travel of the aircraft.

Abstract: Flying Car, roadable aircraft, amphibian, multimode, multifunctional, composite versatile personal transport vehicle with twin, parallel fuselages, hulls, each with inflatable pontoons and/or wheels below and a cabin. Combined, aircraft, airplane, aeroplane, flying, air, aerial, airborne vehicle with variable, folding wings which is convertible via automatic transformation to a land vehicle and to a sea vessel. Two wings are stored between the fuselages. They extend on a system of rails, pivots and counter-rotating, fuselage-mounted arms which then sink flush into the wings' undersides and lock for flight. Upon wing extension and retraction, controls for road transport and flight controls alternately emerge or are stowed inoperably, as needed. Engine power alternately drives a propeller for flight, wheels for road travel and a separate, submersible, marine propeller for water transport.

Abstract: A method for powering an autonomous drive device (4) in an aircraft comprising a certain number of drive motors (5) for the wheels (6) when the jet engines of the aircraft are not activated, the aircraft comprising an auxiliary power unit or APU (2) driving a first generator (1) for supplying power to devices on the aircraft that need to be powered when the jet engines are not activated. The method comprises the use of a second generator (8) dedicated to the power supply of the autonomous drive device, the second generator being disposed in parallel with the first generator so as to be driven by the APU and, when it operates as a motor under the action of power recovered by the autonomous drive device, so as to help the APU drive at least the first generator.

Abstract: A helicopter tug system features a helicopter with skids. A powered track assembly features a microprocessor connected to a power supply, a drive hub and an idler hub, a track located on the drive hub and the idler hub, a motor connected to the drive hub and the power supply, a receiver connected to the microprocessor, and a clamp located on a track assembly top. A caster support features a caster support frame having a wheel and the clamp located on a caster support frame top. The system features a radio control unit with a transmitter and a radio control power supply. A first powered track assembly is attached to the first helicopter skid and a first caster support is attached to the second helicopter skid. The radio control unit sends a first signal to the first track assembly to move the helicopter.

Abstract: A motor-driven landing gear apparatus for taxiing an aircraft includes a motor attached to a bogie. A wheel-driving device is attached to an axle of the landing gear apparatus. A telescoping shaft provides a torque-transmitting interconnection between the motor and the wheel-driving device during taxiing of the aircraft. The telescoping shaft includes an internally-splined shaft rotatably supported within a housing attached to the bogie.

Abstract: Disclosed a method of transferring airplanes and an unmanned airplane transfer system. The transfer system comprises a transfer module adapted to transfer an airplane by moving a landing gear of the airplane; and a controller being assembled with the transfer system, coupled to the transfer module, and adapted to i) receive a transfer signal; ii) to control the transfer module in response to the transfer signal; and iii) to coordinate transferring the airplane by the unmanned airplane transfer system and at least one second unmanned airplane transfer system. The method of transferring an airplane by a plurality of unmanned airplane transfer systems comprises receiving by at least one unmanned airplane transfer system among said plurality of transfer systems a transfer signal, and in response to the transfer signal, coordinating the transfer of the airplane by at least two unmanned airplane transfer systems among said plurality of transfer systems.

Abstract: A method is provided for automatically or manually optimizing independent ground travel operation in an aircraft equipped with one or more self-propelled nose or main wheels powered by a driver means, wherein selected operating parameters indicative of optimized ground travel are monitored by sensors or detectors to provide data and information relating to the selected parameters during operation of the ground travel system. Selected operating parameters can include, for example, speed, direction of travel, torque, component thermal data, aircraft location data, and operator inputs, commands, and feedback, as well as other operational data or information. Data is collected, recorded, and analyzed to enable changes to be made to the ground travel system components in real time automatically by intelligent software or manually by a system operator or at a later time to ensure optimum operation of the system.

Abstract: A motorizing system is provided for powering a wheel associated with a suspension of an aircraft, so that the aircraft can be moved around on ground. The motorized system includes a motor unit, a drive member that is structured to be secured to the wheel, and a clutch device that connects an output shaft of the motor unit to the drive member. The motor unit is structured to be secured to a sprung part of a suspension strut. A positive transmission occurs between the motor unit and the drive member.

Abstract: A vehicle capable of both aerial and terrestrial locomotion. The terrestrial and aerial vehicle includes a flying device and a rolling cage connected to the flying device by at least one revolute joint. The rolling cage at least partially surrounds the flying device and is free-rolling and not separately powered.

Abstract: This application describes the software invented to control a dual electric motor system. The dual electric motor system is a Chorus Motor system applied to electric drive for aircraft taxi. The software uses closed-loop control together with several other control laws to operate the motors. Knowledge of the current operating state of the motors, together with knowledge of the commands given to taxi forward, taxi in reverse, or brake in reverse, is used to configure the motors to optimal operating parameters. The software architecture is described along with the pilot interface and many details of software implementation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a management method for managing a turning movement of an aircraft taxiing on the ground, the aircraft having wheels each fitted with an independent drive device, in which method commands are generated for the independent drive devices so that at least some of those devices contribute to the turning movement. According to the invention, the method comprises the steps of: estimating at each instant during the turning movement: an instantaneous total power developed by all of the independent drive devices in response to the commands; and an instantaneous mean angular acceleration for all of the wheels; and adapting the commands to the independent drive devices such that the total instantaneous power developed by all of the independent drive devices is minimized, while conserving the mean angular acceleration.

Abstract: A method for enhancing pilot and cockpit crew efficiency and increasing aircraft safety during aircraft ground travel between landing and takeoff is provided. The present method is most effective in enhancing pilot efficiency and aircraft safety in an aircraft equipped with at least one powered, self-propelled drive wheel that drives the aircraft on the ground independently of the aircraft main engines or external tow vehicles that is controlled by the pilot and cockpit crew to maneuver the aircraft during ground travel.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer program product for adjusting a thrust for an aircraft. A level of thrust is dynamically identified using a drag on the aircraft needed to substantially maintain a speed of the aircraft in a turn to form an identified level of thrust during turning of the aircraft. The turn of the aircraft is performed using the identified level of thrust.

Abstract: The aerodyne, e.g. an airplane, includes: an auxiliary power unit suitable for producing electricity; a first electricity distributor connected to the unit; at least one flight propulsion engine including an electricity generator; at least one undercarriage motor, the motor enabling the aerodyne to taxi; and a second electricity distributor connected to the generator and to the undercarriage motor in order to transmit electricity from the generator to the motor independently of the first distributor.

Abstract: A vehicle capable of both aerial and terrestrial locomotion. The terrestrial and aerial vehicle includes a flying device and a rolling cage connected to the flying device by at least one revolute joint. The rolling cage at least partially surrounds the flying device and is free-rolling and not separately powered.

Abstract: An aircraft wheel which is provided with rotational driving unit (110). The driving unit comprises a driving ring (111) which is associated with structure (112) for attaching the ring to a rim of the wheel. The attachment structure is fixed to treads (119) of the rim which further serve to retain removable brake blocks (121) with which the rim is provided.

Abstract: An aircraft ground control system that moves an aircraft on the ground between landing and take off without external mechanical assistance from airport tugs or tow vehicles or reliance on thrust produced by the aircraft's engines is provided. The aircraft ground control system interfaces only with an aircraft auxiliary power unit or other aircraft power supply, but otherwise operates independently of aircraft systems. A system integrator and controller links cockpit controls designed to actuate the transmission of power to system components and to activate system components only under predetermined conditions with selectively activatable drivers in driving connection with one or more aircraft wheels to move the aircraft on the ground at selected torques and speeds.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for lighting a flight deck on an aircraft. A status of the aircraft is identified by a processor unit. The processor unit controls the lighting on the flight deck in response to the status of the aircraft to indicate the status of the aircraft.

Abstract: Control of aircraft steering during ground travel is provided in an aircraft equipped with an engines-off wheel drive system controllable to move the aircraft autonomously on the ground without reliance on the aircraft's main engines or external tow vehicles. The wheel drive system is designed to interact with the aircraft's nose wheel hydraulic steering system to augment or replace the hydraulic steering system with the operation of the wheel drive system at taxi speeds, particularly at very low taxi speeds and even when the aircraft is stopped, to steer the aircraft as it maneuvers through turns during ground travel between landing and takeoff and at other times.

Abstract: A method for improving airport and ramp throughput is provided. The method minimizes the time interval between an aircraft's landing and takeoff by independently moving the aircraft with an onboard electric driver that drives at least one of the aircraft's wheels on the ground without the aircraft's engines. Turnaround time and aircraft idle time are reduced by eliminating engine operation while the aircraft is moving in the ramp area. The time between when an aircraft is not moving between pushback and taxi forward is substantially eliminated, leading to more efficient ramp operations as ramp space is freed for through traffic.

Abstract: A failsafe system and method for ensuring the safe operation of an aircraft with a ground movement system to drive the aircraft independently on the ground is provided. The system includes at least one aircraft nose or main drive wheel powered by an onboard wheel driver responsive to sensed aircraft and ground movement system operating parameters to continue operation in response to parameters within normal limits or to prevent continued operation if sensed parameters are outside normal limits and indicate continued operation to be unsafe. The onboard wheel driver includes a locking assembly responsive automatically or manually to signals indicating sensed parameters to lock the onboard wheel driver in an activated or an inactivated condition, depending on whether operation of the ground movement system can be continued safely.

Abstract: A towbarless airplane tug comprising: a chassis mounted on a plurality of tug wheels, at least some of said plurality of tug wheels being steerable tug wheels; an airplane wheel support assembly, mounted on said chassis, for supporting rotatable wheels of a nose landing gear of an airplane; at least one tug wheel driver operative to drive said plurality of tug wheels in rotation to provide displacement of said chassis; and at least one tug controller operative to control speed of said tug, said at least one tug controller employing at least one feedback loop utilizing a mapping of speed limits along a travel path traversed by said tug and said airplane at said airport as well as an indication of the instantaneous location of said tug and said airplane along a travel path.

Abstract: An aircraft landing gear arrangement comprises a nose landing gear assembly and at least one main landing gear assembly. The nose landing gear assembly has a nose landing gear wheel with a high energy brake apparatus therein. The main landing gear assembly has a main landing gear wheel with a high energy brake apparatus therein and a main landing gear wheel with a motor therein. The motor is used for driving the main landing wheel during taxiing of the aircraft.

Abstract: A ground propulsion assembly for an aircraft includes an axle, a wheel rotatably connected to the axle, and a transmission. The transmission includes a housing mounted proximate the axle and a drive element disposed at least partially outside of the housing and operatively connected to a power input. A disengagement spring is disposed between the transmission and the axle and the disengagement spring is configured to urge the drive element out of engagement with the wheel. An actuator is operatively connected between the transmission and the axle, the actuator being configured to selectively generate a force in opposition to the disengagement spring such that the drive element moves relative the wheel and operatively engages the wheel to transfer torque to the wheel.

Abstract: A drive unit for an aircraft ground wheel associated with a brake unit for braking the ground wheel includes: a driving motor drivingly coupleable to the ground wheel; and a cooling system including at least a drive cooling unit configured to generate a drive cooling air stream for cooling the drive unit and a brake cooling unit configured to generate a brake cooling air stream by sucking in air from the brake unit. A method of controlling such drive unit in which the cooling system is driven by the driving motor of the drive unit includes: decoupling the driving motor from the ground wheel and increasing the rotational speed of the driving motor to increase the amount of generated drive cooling air, when an operating condition of the ground wheel and/or of the drive unit is switched from a propulsion mode to a non-propulsion mode.