Abstract: A fusible thermally responsive device (20) for mounting in a bore (12) provided for it in a wheel (10) to vent an overpressure condition caused by heat generated in an aircraft wheel and brake assembly comprises a rod-shaped length of a thermally activated virgin eutectic alloy (34) exhibiting a tolerance within .+-.1.degree. F. of a specific melt temperature established for the alloy, which rod-shaped eutectic alloy in its virgin solid form has one end (34b) machined to a self-holding taper such as to be press-fit into a mating bore (28,48) having the same self-holding taper (28b,48b) in a cylindrical carrier member (22,42). The carrier is mounted in the wheel bore, either from the inside (22) or the outside (42) of the wheel, and a pair of O-ring type seals (32,52,62) provide a positive sealing relationship between the virgin eutectic (34) and the carrier (22,42) and between the carrier (22,42) and the wheel (10).

Abstract: A retaining ring (30) for use in combination with a wheel rim (10) having a separable bead flange (14) to secure the separable bead flange on the rim in the absence of a properly inflated tire is characterized by an inboard facing portion (30a) and an outboard facing portion (30b) and a split in the ring defining terminal ends, (32,33) each terminal end having a circumferentially oriented first bore (36,37) in the inboard facing portion (30a) and a second bore (38,39) in the outboard facing portion (30b) at an angular relationship with respect to the first bore.

Abstract: A unique configuration for a torque tube assembly associated with a disk type brake comprises separable and replaceable keys and a separable and replaceable brake disk backplate. The keys are mounted in anti-rotation slots at the inboard and outboard ends of the torque tube and bolted to the barrel portion of the torque tube and are characterized by a radial extension that supports the separable backplate. The torque tube is a formed wrought metal tube that is mounted to the stationary portion of the brake housing via bolts that thread into the inboard end of the keys. In this configuration, the occurrence of a defective key and/or backplate does not require replacement of the total torque tube assembly.

Abstract: The invention is designed to produce a more economical means of closing drilled passage holes in hydraulic and/or pneumatic systems either during manufacture and/or repair. The process involves pressing a ball, or diametral portion thereof, with a diametral interference fit, and of similar material as the parent part to be sealed, into the drilled hole causing a seal of the hole by relying on the curvature of the surface of the ball or plug to plastically deform and maintain a depressional diametral seal within the elastic limits of the seal and the parent material for sealing, and then crimping the parent material to be sealed over the end of the ball or plug to maintain it in position against pressure blow out. Alternate methods of holding the ball in position might include a line spot fusing utilizing a current passing through the ball to make the bond permanent, or a ring furnace fusing and/or other such fusing and partial staking procedures to bond the ball in place as an integral part of the unit.