Abstract: A shock strut includes a relief device that reduces the internal pressure within a sealed chamber of the shock strut when a load condition that exceeds a maximum operating load condition is encountered. The reduced pressure permits a telescopically moving piston of the shock strut to be received into a corresponding cylinder to an amount that increases the structural capability of the shock strut, especially with respect to applied side loads that generate bending and shearing stresses in the shock strut. In one embodiment, the reduced pressure permits the piston to “bottom out” relative to the cylinder, which is a condition not otherwise achievable without the relief device. This additional stroke achievable by the piston reduces or eliminates the need to reinforce and thus add weight to the shock strut because of higher load condition design requirements.

Abstract: A landing gear system for an aircraft comprises a truck beam (22); at least one steerable axle (42) mounted to the truck beam for pivotal steering movement; a steering actuator (46) connected to the steerable axle; and a locking mechanism (60) including a locking groove member (62) provided on the steerable axle for pivotal movement therewith, and a locking wedge member (64) engageable with the locking groove member to prevent pivotal movement of the steerable axle. The locking groove member includes a slot (63) having opposed sides converging towards one another, and the locking wedge member has correspondingly converging sides for mating engagement in the slot. The locking wedge member is resiliently biased (66, 69) into engagement with the locking groove member and the locking wedge member is mounted to the truck beam for pivotal movement (70).

Abstract: A landing gear for an aircraft, characterized by upper and lower pintle frame members (38, 40) being connected to a telescoping shock strut (14) in a non-rigid manner that tolerates twisting when reacting to torsional loads applied to the landing gear, and/or by a pitch trim actuator (30) that positions a landing gear truck (16) proportionally to the retraction angle of a shock strut (14) during retraction and extension.

Abstract: A landing gear system for an aircraft comprises a truck beam (22); at least one steerable axle (42) mounted to the truck beam for pivotal steering movement; a steering actuator (46) connected to the steerable axle; and a locking mechanism (60) including a locking groove member (62) provided on the steerable axle for pivotal movement therewith, and a locking wedge member (64) engageable with the locking groove member to prevent pivotal movement of the steerable axle. The locking groove member includes a slot (63) having opposed sides converging towards one another, and the locking wedge member has correspondingly converging sides for mating engagement in the slot. The locking wedge member is resiliently biased (66, 69) into engagement with the locking groove member and the locking wedge member is mounted to the truck beam for pivotal movement (70).

Abstract: A landing gear for an aircraft, characterized by upper and lower pintle frame members (38, 40) being connected to a telescoping shock strut (14) in a non-rigid manner that tolerates twisting when reacting to torsional loads applied to the landing gear, and/or by a pitch trim actuator (30) that positions a landing gear truck (16) proportionally to the retraction angle of a shock strut (14) during retraction and extension.