Abstract: The invention relates to a device for selectively transmitting force, the device comprising a first element and a second element that is movably mounted on the first element, a friction member being arranged between the first element and the second element to exert a friction force between them, which force presents a maximum value that depends on prestress imparted by a presser member. The device includes control means for varying the prestress imparted by the presser member to the friction member and arranged, where appropriate, to substantially release the prestress imparted by the presser member so that the prestress becomes substantially zero.

Abstract: A proximity sensor for detecting non-contact detection of a target using a fibre optic strain sensor and a system for operating multiple such proximity sensors is disclosed. The proximity sensor includes an optic fibre that has an optic fibre strain sensor that is coupled to a mass that moves in response to the target. The mass can be a magnet that moves when a ferrous target is within the magnetic field of the magnet causing the magnet to move and apply strain to the optic fibre strain sensor. The optic strain sensor can include periodic variation in the refractive index of the optic fibre, such as a fibre Bragg grating. The proximity sensor can include a second fibre optic sensor that is sensitive to temperature or a second fibre optic strain sensor coupled to a second magnet that operates in opposition to the first magnet. A system coupling multiple proximity sensors can include an interrogator that has an optical power source and a detector, each coupled to a processor.

Abstract: A method of managing the steering of aircraft undercarriage wheels carried by a steerable bottom portion of the undercarriage, the bottom portion being associated with steering control including a steering member suitable for steering the bottom portion of the undercarriage in response to a steering order. The method comprises the steps of (1) monitoring the pressures of the tires carried by the wheels, and in response to detecting at least one of the following events: (1A) the pressure of one of the tires is less than a first predetermined threshold, and ( 1B) the difference between the pressures of two of the tires is greater than a second determined threshold; (2) activating the steering control, if the steering control is not activated; and (3) implementing a steering control relationship that is modified compared with a nominal control relationship used when the tires are properly inflated.

Abstract: The invention relates to landing gear mounted on an aircraft in such a way as to be movable between a stowed position and a deployed position, the landing gear incorporating: a barrel mounted in a hinged way on the aircraft; a folding strut with two arms; a stabilizing member to stabilize the strut in an aligned position, having two rods hinged to each other; a telescopic unlocking member having one end coupled to one of the rods, the telescopic member being selectively activatable to break an alignment of the rods. According to the invention, said rod has an aperture in which the end of the telescopic unlocking member engages and which is arranged in such a way that, when the telescopic member is activated, said end interacts with an end of the aperture to move the associated rod toward a non-aligned position which said rod reaches when the telescopic member reaches an internal stop, the aperture allowing any hinged movement of the rod beyond the non-aligned position.

Abstract: An anti-lofting deflector for landing gear having two wheels on an axle, the deflector comprising: a stationary support (5) for being fastened in service to a portion of the landing gear that carries the axle in order to extend between the wheels and present a distal end behind the wheels; a first flap (2) hinged to the support via its distal end about a first hinge axis (X1) substantially parallel to the axle; a second flap (3) hinged to the first flap about a second hinge axis (X2) substantially parallel to the first hinge axis; and a return member (11) arranged so as to urge the second flap against an abutment of the first flap that prevents the second flap from becoming aligned with the first flap, and to urge the first flap against an abutment of the stationary support that prevents the first flap from folding against the support.

Abstract: A method of actuating undercarriage latching boxes and associated hatch latching boxes of an aircraft in an emergency mode, the latching boxes having at least one feed port and at least one unlatching member that is operable when the port is fed with fluid under pressure, the aircraft also being provided with a hydraulic braking circuit. The method includes connecting at least one tapping circuit to the braking circuit of the aircraft in association with an isolation valve that is kept, in a normal mode, in an isolation state and that can be controlled to be placed in an open state in which at least some of the feed ports of the latching boxes are fed by the tapping circuit connected to the braking circuit.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a connecting rod (6) out of composite material using three-dimensional fabric of woven reinforcing fibers, the connecting rod (6) extending in a main direction. The method comprises the steps of: cutting out one or more base pieces (7, 8) from a three-dimensional fabric; cutting out one or more reinforcing pieces (9, 10) from a three-dimensional fabric; installing the various pieces (7, 8, 9, 10) on a support in order to shape them; securing the various pieces (7, 8, 9, 10) to one another by stitching (12, 13, 14, 15) using reinforcing fibers in order to constitute a reinforcing fiber preform; installing the preform on a mandrel; and injecting resin into the preform and polymerizing the resin.

Abstract: The invention relates to an aircraft landing gear of deformable-parallelogram type, including: a leg including a casing (1) having a lower end on which a rocker arm (3) carrying at least one wheel is hinged by means of a pivot (2), a shock absorber (5) being connected between the rocker arm and the casing; two panels (10, 11) each hinged on the one hand on the structure of the aircraft and on the other hand on the leg, about parallel axes; According to the invention, one of the panels (11) is hinged on the leg while being connected to the casing by a pin on one end of the pivot (2) of the rocker arm.

Abstract: An overload detecting assembly comprising a lateral probe (18) which cooperates with a first load bearing member (10) as it moves towards a second load bearing member (11) and in turn deflects an indicator member (20) which may take a permanent set when a yield point is exceeded. Ready inspection of the indicator member reveals whether or not it has been bent. The indicator member may comprise a cantilevered beam (24) formed in a sleeve (20) coaxial with the load bearing members (10, 11). Alternatively, an extension (25) of the probe (18) may deflect laterally at a midpoint under overload conditions. Alternatively, the probe (18) may form an impression in an indicator member (30) under overload conditions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the operation of a plaiting machine (1) that comprises a ring (2) carrying fiber spools (3) for plaiting layers (16, 22) of fibers (3) about a mandrel (13, 17) carried by a carrier (12) capable of movement along the axis (AX) of the ring (2), wherein after plaiting the fibers (3) are cut in order to withdraw the mandrel (13, 17), and that comprises: a hub (5, 6; 18) carried by the carrier (12) and secured to the mandrel (13; 17) while being mounted upstream therefrom; an operation for tightening the fibers (3) around the hub (5, 6; IS) with a link (11, 14) surrounding said fibers (3) after the mandrel (13, 17) has passed through the ring (2); and in which the fibers (3) are cut between the mandrel (13, 17) and the hub (5, 6; 18) before withdrawing the mandrel (13, 17).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of limiting a current idc supplied by a DC power supply, the method comprising: interposing a switching stage between the power supply and a load, the switching stage including a controllable switch in series with a freewheel diode; and periodically controlling the switch so that for each period of duration T, the following averaged quantity 1 T ? ? o t ? i _ · ? t is calculated in which i is a current that is an image of the power supply current idc, the averaged quantity being reset to zero at the beginning of each period, with the switch being caused to be closed so long as said averaged quantity remains below a predetermined current threshold ithresh, and with the switch being caused to be open, otherwise.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a structural part made of an organic matrix composite including: production of a fibrous structure, forming a preform by braiding rovings of a fibrous material on a mandrel that includes a reinforcement in its axial extension, impregnation of the preform with an organic resin; and curing of this resin, the reinforcement, forming the cover, having a bore with an axis perpendicular to the axis for housing a connecting member. Barbs, some of which are projecting, are incorporated into the reinforcement over at least part of the surface of which lying on either side of the bore, the braiding being carried out around the barbs so that the rovings at least partly criss-cross around the barbs.

Abstract: The invention relates to a telescopic actuator comprising a body (1) defining a cylindrical cavity of longitudinal axis (X); a rod (3) mounted to slide telescopically in the cylinder along the said axis; a nut (7) secured to the rod; a lead screw (4) mounted on the cylinder to extend along and rotate about the said axis (X) and collaborate with the nut in such a way that a rotation of the lead screw causes a telescopic movement of the rod in the cylinder; means (8, 9, 10) for driving the rotation of the lead screw. According to the invention, the nut is mounted on the rod to be axially retained thereon by retaining means (12, 13, 14; 30 to 38) which can be made to release the nut axially from the rod.

Abstract: A telescopic actuator comprising a cylinder having a structure for coupling the cylinder to a first external element a rod mounted to slide telescopically in the cylinder along a sliding axis and including a structure for coupling it to a second external element and a lead screw mounted to rotate in the cylinder about the sliding axis and extending inside the rod to co-operate with a nut secured to the rod, such that rotating the lead screw causes the rod to slide. There also is a drive structure for driving the lead screw in rotation and a retention structure for axially retaining the lead screw. The retention structure holds a bearing of the lead screw captive in an axial direction and is arranged to retain the bearing of the lead screw with axial clearance suitable for absorbing movements imparted to the rod relative to the cylinder.

Abstract: A switch assembly is disclosed having a switch with an actuator moveable from an armed position to a disarmed position. A housing is attached to the switch and contains a cam that holds the switch actuator in the armed position. A trigger makes contact with the cam causing it to rotate within the housing and allowing the actuator to extend to move to a disarmed position. In some variants the cam can be shaped to prevent manually rotation against the bias force of the actuator in the disarmed position. The switch assembly can be positioned on an aircraft landing gear to detect an over-steer occurrence where the landing gear may become damaged. The state of the switch can be visibly or audibly indicated by an indicator in the aircraft cockpit or other location visible/audible to the ground operators.

Abstract: A device for coupling an actuator for operating an aircraft undercarriage to an aircraft structure. The device comprises a lever having a first end for hinging to the structure of the aircraft, and a second end to which the actuator is hinged, a pre-loading structure acting on the lever to urge it towards a stable rest position that is occupied by the lever in the absence of any force transiting through the actuator; and an abutment structure defining at least one working position for the lever when the actuator is activated.

Abstract: A locking mechanism for locking an actuator piston within an actuator cylinder housing is disclosed. The locking mechanism comprises a locking pin that is moveable between extended and retracted positions. The locking pin can be moved using a controller, such as a hydraulic controller, for example. In the extended position the locking pin engages the actuator piston thereby locking the actuator piston in a specific position. The locking mechanism includes a mechanical bias (such as a spring or other mechanical system) that biases the locking pin towards an extended position to lock the actuator piston when counter-pressure on the locking pin is lower than the pressure provided by the mechanical bias. The locking pin can be hydraulically operated so that hydraulic pressure that forces the actuator piston to retract also exerts force on the locking pin to move it from a locked position to an unlocked position.

Abstract: A mechanical transmission device for transmitting a threshold force, comprising first and second elements rotatably mounted relative to each other about an axis of rotation, and having a transmitter member interposed between them to constrain the two elements to rotate together when a torque is imparted to one up to a threshold torque beyond which the two elements become movable in rotation. The transmitter member has a first friction disk constrained to rotate with the first element, and a second friction disk facing the first disk. It also has a bearing member that is axially movable to press the disks together and against a bearing turntable of the first element under drive from a presser member. Finally, it has a rotary drive, interposed between the bearing member and the second element, which are arranged to cause the bearing member to move axially against the presser member during rotation.

Abstract: In the field of aviation, a method of fabricating a composite-material rod. The method comprises a first step of fabricating a mandrel comprising a sleeve of composite material and solid inserts of composite material secured to the ends of said sleeve to constitute a rigid whole. Then, one or more layers of braided fibers are applied around the mandrel by using a fiber-braiding machine. Next, a resin is injected into the layers of braided fibers so as to establish cohesion rigidly bonding the braided fiber layers and at least the ends of the mandrel in order to form a rod body out of composite material having reinforced ends. Finally, respective holes are drilled at each end of the rod body, each hole passing through the layers of braided fibers and also through the corresponding insert.

Abstract: During implementing a composite metal part by compaction of an insert having reinforcing fibers in a metal body or container, gas used for compaction may enter the cavity formed in the container for receiving the insert between a lid covering the insert and the container, which can prevent or degrade compaction and diffusion welding of fiber sheaths of the insert therebetween and/or with walls of the cavity. To solve this problem, the present method includes initiating isostatic compaction by a phase including raising and maintaining temperature, followed by a phase including hot-feeding pressurized gas, and machining an assembly to obtain the part. The temperature raising phase includes a diffusion pre-welding of material rigidly connecting the pressure-adjusted walls of the lid and the container. The method can be used for designing parts having a tensile and compression resistance, such as parts for aircraft landing gear.