Abstract: An aircraft landing gear is disclosed including 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 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 aircraft landing gear including a wheel rotatable about an axle, a motor, and a bi-directional overrunning clutch, such as a roller or sprag clutch, operable to either connect the wheel with the motor or disconnect the wheel from the motor. The bi-directional clutch includes a ring-shaped overrunning track connected to the wheel, a ring-shaped drive track connected to the motor and concentrically aligned with the overrunning track, and a plurality of movable elements retained between the overrunning track and the drive track. The movable elements are movable between; a driven configuration in which they prevent relative rotation between the drive track and the overrunning track to thereby permit the wheel to be driven by the motor; and an overrunning configuration in which they permit relative rotation between the drive track and the overrunning track to thereby disconnect the wheel from the motor.

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 aircraft landing gear including a wheel rotatable about an axle, a motor, and a bi-directional overrunning clutch, such as a roller or sprag clutch, operable to either connect the wheel with the motor or disconnect the wheel from the motor. The bi-directional clutch includes a ring-shaped overrunning track connected to the wheel, a ring-shaped drive track connected to the motor and concentrically aligned with the overrunning track, and a plurality of movable elements retained between the overrunning track and the drive track. The movable elements are movable between: a driven configuration in which they prevent relative rotation between the drive track and the overrunning track to thereby permit the wheel to be driven by the motor; and an overrunning configuration in which they permit relative rotation between the drive track and the overrunning track to thereby disconnect the wheel from the motor.

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: The aircraft includes at least one engine suitable for propelling the aircraft in flight, at least one motor of an undercarriage, and automatic means arranged to cause the aircraft to taxi under drive directly from the engine, while simultaneously using the motor for taxiing, other than during takeoff or landing.