Patents Assigned to Messier-Dowty Limited
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Publication number: 20140048645Abstract: A landing gear assembly for an aircraft, the landing gear assembly including: an elongate bogie beam; a first axle bearing having an outer part rotatably coupled to an inner part, the outer part being coupled to the bogie beam, the inner part including a mounting aperture; and an elongate axle provided through the mounting aperture of the inner part and coupled thereto, wherein the axle is coupled to the inner part of the first axle bearing in a configuration such that the longitudinal axis of the axle is spaced from the axis of rotation of the inner part, such that rotation of the inner part causes a change in the orientation of the axle relative to the bogie beam.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2011Publication date: February 20, 2014Applicant: MESSIER-DOWTY LIMITEDInventors: Stuart Lacy, Yann Simonneaux
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Patent number: 8651417Abstract: An aircraft landing gear assembly includes a bogie beam, a landing gear strut and a stop. The landing gear strut has a first end arranged to be pivotally coupled to an aircraft and a second end pivotally coupled to the bogie beam. The stop is arranged to limit pivotal movement of the bogie beam relative to the landing gear strut The stop includes an elongate member arranged to be deflectable in bending when the bogie beam reaches a pivotal limit.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2010Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Assignee: Messier-Dowty LimitedInventors: Matthew Hilliard, Ian Bennett
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Patent number: 8650967Abstract: An overload detecting assembly comprises a first load bearing member (10) adapted to flex laterally in response to a load to be monitored, a second load bearing member (11) spaced from the first under normal load conditions and which is contacted and loaded by the first load bearing member (10) when it is loaded beyond a load limit. Preferably, the first load bearing member (10) has a yield point below the load limit and takes a permanent set once the yield point has been exceeded. A lateral probe (18) cooperates with the first load bearing member as it moves towards the second load bearing member and in turn deflects an indicator member (20) which takes a permanent set when a yield point is exceeded. Ready inspection of the indicator member then reveals whether or not it has been bent.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2008Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Assignee: Messier-Dowty LimitedInventor: Ian Bennett
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Publication number: 20140026808Abstract: A mechanical position indicator for providing a visual indication that a first part of an aircraft landing gear has assumed a predetermined position relative to a second part, the position indicator being arranged to be coupled to a first one of the first and second parts and in a first state arranged to hold an indicator element in a deployed position, the position indicator being arranged such that upon the first part assuming the predetermined position relative to the second part, a second one of the first and second parts changes the position indicator from the first state to a second state in which the indicator element is displaced from the deployed position, the position indicator being arranged to inhibit the indicator element thereafter returning to the deployed position.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 9, 2011Publication date: January 30, 2014Applicant: MESSIER-DOWTY LIMITEDInventors: David Benjamin Hodgkinson, Stuart Lacy, Christopher Webb, Garry Anson
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Publication number: 20130327889Abstract: An aircraft landing gear assembly comprising a bogie beam (2), an axle (4) extending through the bogie beam and a jacking dome fitting (6) extending through a sidewall (8) of the bogie beam and arranged to transfer vertical loads applied to the jacking dome fitting to the axle.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2011Publication date: December 12, 2013Applicant: Messier-Dowty LimitedInventors: Ian R. Bennett, Matthew Craig Sexton
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Patent number: 8539843Abstract: A load indicator comprises a load bearing assembly of first and second load bearing members (23, 22) connected together to bear a lateral load applied to the first member (23), the first load bearing member defining a cavity (25) with the second load bearing member such that it is frangible above an indicator load, and the cavity (25) containing an indicator liquid which escapes from the cavity once the first load bearing member is fractured by said load. The load bearing members (22, 23) comprise cylindrical members arranged concentrically with the outer member (23) having a portion of reduced thickness to render it frangible and to define the cavity (25). The cavity (25) includes an internal volume within the second load bearing member (22). The load indicator may be configured as a load bearing pin to connect two components.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2008Date of Patent: September 24, 2013Assignee: Messier-Dowty LimitedInventors: Martyn Inns, Steve Smith
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Publication number: 20130186998Abstract: A landing gear, including an elongate axle pivotally connected to a bogie beam, the landing gear further including a locking device for locking the axle at a substantially fixed orientation with respect to the bogie beam, the locking device including first and second barrier arms that are movable between a first configuration, in which they define a barrier so as to maintain the maintain the axle in the substantially fixed orientation with respect to the bogie beam, and a second configuration, in which the axle may pivot about the bogie beam.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 7, 2011Publication date: July 25, 2013Applicant: MESSIER-DOWTY LIMITEDInventor: IAN BENNETT
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Patent number: 8398020Abstract: An auxiliary mechanism includes a lever unit, a spring unit and a positioning unit. One of the units pivotally connects to the upper portion of a main shock absorber strut so as to pivot between a predetermined lower position for take-off and landing and an upper position. Another unit pivotally connects at an upper end to the upper portion of the main shock absorber strut and pivotally connects at a lower end to the first unit. A third unit pivotally connects at a lower end to the bogie beam at an auxiliary pivot and connects at an upper end to the lever. The positioning unit assumes either a contracted state or extended state for taxiing, take-off and landing, and assumes the other state for stowing the landing gear after take-off. The spring unit provides spring resistance to pivotal movements of the bogie beam about the main pivot during taxiing.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2011Date of Patent: March 19, 2013Assignee: Messier-Dowty LimitedInventors: Ian Bennett, Richard Charles Lang, Robert Anthony Menezes
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Patent number: 8382032Abstract: A semi-levered landing gear for an aircraft includes a main shock absorber strut, a bogie beam and an auxiliary actuator mechanism. The bogie beam extends fore and aft of an airframe of the aircraft with forward and aft axles for respective forward and aft wheels, and a main pivot between the forward and aft axle pivotally connected to the lower portion of the main shock absorber strut. The auxiliary actuator mechanism includes a spring unit pivotally connected at a lower end to an auxiliary pivot on the bogie forward of the main pivot, and at an upper end to an anchor point offset from the pivot connection of the upper portion to the aircraft fuselage. During stowing the strut and spring unit pivot together about different pivot points, causing a relative longitudinal movement between the main pivot and auxiliary pivot that further tilts the bogie beam to a stowing position.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2011Date of Patent: February 26, 2013Assignee: Messier-Dowty LimitedInventors: Ian Bennett, Richard Charles Lang, Robert Anthony Menezes
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Patent number: 8376272Abstract: An auxiliary actuator mechanism includes a lever, a spring unit and a control linkage. The lever is pivotally connected to the upper portion of a main shock absorber strut, and pivotable between an upper position for take-off, and a lower position. The spring unit is pivotally connected at an upper end to the lever and at a lower end to the bogie at an auxiliary pivot forward of the main pivot. The control linkage is connected between the lever and the upper portion of the main shock absorber strut to define the upper predetermined position of the lever. The control linkage is connectable to an anchor point that moves relative to the upper portion of the main shock absorber strut during stowing, and is operated by initial stowing movement of the stowing mechanism to lower the lever from the upper position to a stowing position.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2011Date of Patent: February 19, 2013Assignee: Messier-Dowty LimitedInventors: Ian Bennett, Richard Charles Lang, Robert Anthony Menezes
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Publication number: 20120318909Abstract: Aircraft landing gear including an axle pivotally connected to a bogie beam and a locking device. The locking couples the axle to the bogie beam, and has a movable member and a follower. The movable member is movable between first and second configurations. Movement of the movable member towards the second configuration causes corresponding movement of the follower so as to transfer a steering force to the axle through the follower which causes the axle to rotate in a first direction. With the movable member in the first configuration, the follower is in a first configuration that inhibits the movable member being moved by an external force applied to the axle. With the movable member in the second configuration, the follower in a second configuration that permits the movable member to be moved by an external force applied to the axle.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 19, 2011Publication date: December 20, 2012Applicant: MESSIER-DOWTY LIMITEDInventor: Ian Bennett
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Publication number: 20120305703Abstract: A landing gear, including an elongate axle pivotally connected to a bogie beam, the landing gear further including a locking device for locking the axle at a substantially fixed orientation with respect to the bogie beam, the locking device including first and second barrier arms that are movable between a first configuration, in which they define a barrier so as to maintain the maintain the axle in the substantially fixed orientation with respect to the bogie beam, and a second configuration, in which the axle may pivot about the bogie beam.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 7, 2011Publication date: December 6, 2012Applicant: MESSIER-DOWTY LIMITEDInventor: Ian Robert Bennett
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Publication number: 20120292442Abstract: An aircraft landing gear including a fairing (12) arranged to be moveable between first and second configurations, wherein in the first configuration the fairing shields an element of the landing gear from an incident airflow, the fairing being arranged to be in the first configuration when the landing gear is deployed but unloaded, and wherein in the second configuration the fairing exposes the landing gear element to the incident airflow, the fairing being arranged to be in the second configuration when the landing gear is deployed and loaded.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2010Publication date: November 22, 2012Applicant: Messier-Dowty LimitedInventor: Yann Simonneaux
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Publication number: 20120241558Abstract: Aircraft landing gear including at least one load bearing longitudinal structural element wherein said longitudinal structural element is hollow and is arranged to have at least one non-structural element located inside.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2010Publication date: September 27, 2012Applicant: Messier-Dowty LimitedInventor: Yann Simonneaux
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Publication number: 20120163905Abstract: An apparatus includes a fitting connected to a body. The fitting has an engagement portion including a channel formed into a peripheral surface of it and an axis. The body includes an axial layer provided around at least some of the peripheral surface of the engagement portion of the end fitting and a hoop layer provided around the axial layer at a location corresponding to at least some of the channel so as to urge at least some of the axial layer into a portion of the channel. The channel is arranged such that at least some of it defines a pathway that is non-orthogonal with respect to the axis of the fitting, such that at least some of the surface area of the channel defines a load bearing surface for the transfer of torque between the fitting and body when a rotational force is applied to one of them.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 24, 2010Publication date: June 28, 2012Applicants: MESSIER-DOWTY SA, MESSIER-DOWTY LIMITEDInventors: David Bond, Paul Trowbridge, Andrew Smith, Richard Masson, Patrick Dunleavy
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Publication number: 20120119025Abstract: An auxiliary actuator mechanism includes a lever, a spring unit and a control linkage. The lever is pivotally connected to the upper portion of a main shock absorber strut, and pivotable between an upper position for take-off, and a lower position. The spring unit is pivotally connected at an upper end to the lever and at a lower end to the bogie at an auxiliary pivot forward of the main pivot. The control linkage is connected between the lever and the upper portion of the main shock absorber strut to define the upper predetermined position of the lever. The control linkage is connectable to an anchor point that moves relative to the upper portion of the main shock absorber strut during stowing, and is operated by initial stowing movement of the stowing mechanism to lower the lever from the upper position to a stowing position.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2011Publication date: May 17, 2012Applicant: MESSIER-DOWTY LIMITEDInventors: Ian Bennett, Richard C. Lang, Robert A. Menezes
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Publication number: 20120112001Abstract: An auxiliary mechanism includes a lever unit, a spring unit and a positioning unit. One of the units pivotally connects to the upper portion of a main shock absorber strut so as to pivot between a predetermined lower position for take-off and landing and an upper position. Another unit pivotally connects at an upper end to the upper portion of the main shock absorber strut and pivotally connects at a lower end to the first unit. A third unit pivotally connects at a lower end to the bogie beam at an auxiliary pivot and connects at an upper end to the lever. The positioning unit assumes either a contracted state or extended state for taxiing, take-off and landing, and assumes the other state for stowing the landing gear after take-off. The spring unit provides spring resistance to pivotal movements of the bogie beam about the main pivot during taxiing.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2011Publication date: May 10, 2012Applicant: MESSIER-DOWTY LIMITEDInventors: Ian Bennett, Richard C. Lang, Robert A. Menezes
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Publication number: 20120111998Abstract: A bearing assembly (2?) comprising a housing (3?) supporting first and second bearing ring portions (4, 4?) with bearing surfaces to engage an inner tubular member (1?) at axially spaced regions, characterised in that either: said bearing ring portions are provided by separate bearing rings (4?) supported in the housing member (3?) with bearing surfaces of different diameters; or said bearing ring portions are provided by a single bearing ring (4?) that is free to flex radially and is supported so that the second bearing ring portion is free to flex radially under load and its bearing surface than assumes a position with a greater diameter than that of the first bearing ring portion (4?).Type: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2010Publication date: May 10, 2012Applicant: Messier-Dowty LimitedInventor: Ian Bennett
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Publication number: 20120091271Abstract: A semi-levered landing gear for an aircraft includes a main shock absorber strut, a bogie beam and an auxiliary actuator mechanism. The bogie beam extends fore and aft of an airframe of the aircraft with forward and aft axles for respective forward and aft wheels, and a main pivot between the forward and aft axle pivotally connected to the lower portion of the main shock absorber strut. The auxiliary actuator mechanism includes a spring unit pivotally connected at a lower end to an auxiliary pivot on the bogie forward of the main pivot, and at an upper end to an anchor point offset from the pivot connection of the upper portion to the aircraft fuselage. During stowing the strut and spring unit pivot together about different pivot points, causing a relative longitudinal movement between the main pivot and auxiliary pivot that further tilts the bogie beam to a stowing position.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2011Publication date: April 19, 2012Applicant: MESSIER-DOWTY LIMITEDInventors: Ian BENNETT, Richard C. LANG, Robert A. MENEZES
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Patent number: 8104711Abstract: An auxiliary actuator (49) comprises a two stage telescopic hydraulic unit comprising first (59, 63) and second (56, 50) stage piston and cylinder actuators operating coaxially within an outer casing (50). A respective actuator is connected to a respective one of the strut (1) and bogie beam (4). The second stage actuator (56, 60) serves to control the tilt position of the bogie beam (4) relative to the strut (1). The second stage actuator (56. 60), when in the retracted position with the first stage actuator (59, 63) in the extended position, limits the length ol the auxiliary actuator (9) between its connections (62,67) to the strut (1) and bogie beam (4), so as to assume a predetermined intermediate length in which the bogie beam (4) is restrained to tilt about the auxiliary pivot (14) and thereby lengthens the landing gear during take-off.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2006Date of Patent: January 31, 2012Assignee: Messier-Dowty LimitedInventors: Ian Bennett, Richard C. Lang, Robert A. Menezes