Abstract: A method of positioning landing gear of an airplane is provided that includes providing the landing gear including a shock strut, a truck beam operatively pivotally connected to the shock strut, first and second interconnected links operatively connected to the truck beam and a third link extending between the shock strut and the first and second links with the third link pivotally connected to the second link at a third pivot. When the landing gear is commanded to a lowered position, the third pivot is positioned in a first position to support a taxi mode, a take-off mode and a landing mode if the landing gear is operational and in a second position to support an alternate landing mode if the landing gear is not fully operational. When the landing gear is commanded to a raised position, the third pivot is in the second position to support a stow mode.

Abstract: A method of positioning landing gear of an airplane is provided that includes providing the landing gear including a shock strut, a truck beam operatively pivotally connected to the shock strut, first and second interconnected links operatively connected to the truck beam and a third link extending between the shock strut and the first and second links with the third link pivotally connected to the second link at a third pivot. When the landing gear is commanded to a lowered position, the third pivot is positioned in a first position to support a taxi mode, a take-off mode and a landing mode if the landing gear is operational and in a second position to support an alternate landing mode if the landing gear is not fully operational. When the landing gear is commanded to a raised position, the third pivot is in the second position to support a stow mode.

Abstract: A method of positioning landing gear of an airplane is provided that includes providing the landing gear including a shock strut, a truck beam operatively pivotally connected to the shock strut, first and second interconnected links operatively connected to the truck beam and a third link extending between the shock strut and the first and second links with the third link pivotally connected to the second link at a third pivot. When the landing gear is commanded to a lowered position, the third pivot is positioned in a first position to support a taxi mode, a take-off mode and a landing mode if the landing gear is operational and in a second position to support an alternate landing mode if the landing gear is not fully operational. When the landing gear is commanded to a raised position, the third pivot is in the second position to support a stow mode.

Abstract: A method of positioning landing gear of an airplane is provided that includes providing the landing gear including a shock strut, a truck beam operatively pivotally connected to the shock strut, first and second interconnected links operatively connected to the truck beam and a third link extending between the shock strut and the first and second links with the third link pivotally connected to the second link at a third pivot. When the landing gear is commanded to a lowered position, the third pivot is positioned in a first position to support a taxi mode, a take-off mode and a landing mode if the landing gear is operational and in a second position to support an alternate landing mode if the landing gear is not fully operational. When the landing gear is commanded to a raised position, the third pivot is in the second position to support a stow mode.

Abstract: A semi-levered landing gear is provided that includes a shock strut, a truck beam pivotally connected to the shock strut and a semi-levered landing gear mechanism including at least three links configured to angularly orient the truck beam and a truck pitch actuation system operatively connected to at least one of the three links. The landing gear mechanism may be configured to cooperate with an extension of a shock strut by positioning the truck pitch actuator in a retracted position, thereby positioning a forward end of the truck beam in a raised position relative to the aft end of the truck beam. The landing gear mechanism may also be configured to cooperate with a retraction of the shock strut into the wheel well by extending the truck pitch actuator to position a forward end of the truck beam in a lower position relative to the aft end of the truck beam.

Abstract: A semi-levered landing gear is provided that includes a shock strut, a truck beam pivotally connected to the shock strut and a semi-levered landing gear mechanism including at least three links configured to angularly orient the truck beam and a truck pitch actuation system operatively connected to at least one of the three links. The landing gear mechanism may be configured to cooperate with an extension of a shock strut by positioning the truck pitch actuator in a retracted position, thereby positioning a forward end of the truck beam in a raised position relative to the aft end of the truck beam. The landing gear mechanism may also be configured to cooperate with a retraction of the shock strut into the wheel well by extending the truck pitch actuator to position a forward end of the truck beam in a lower position relative to the aft end of the truck beam.

Abstract: The invention relates to mechanisms for reducing heat generation in a pivot joint, and to methods for their use. The mechanism may be designed to average relative velocities of a pin with respect to velocities of first and second members joined by the pin. The mechanism may comprise at least one linked member adapted to rotate the pin simultaneously with respect to both the first and second members. In such manner, the heat generated in the joint may be reduced, thereby decreasing the likelihood of failure of one or more of the joint's parts.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for directing a separation sequence of structural components, such as, for example, aircraft landing gear components, during an overload condition. This system and method may be used to stop a component in rotation and thereby allow the component to fail in a predictable and controllable manner. This system and method may be used on any type of device that utilizes components that rotate relative to one another and/or that has components that rotate during an overload condition.