GB221606A - Improvements in landing carriages for aircraft - Google Patents

Abstract

221,606. Hill, R. M., and Robinson, E. July 13, 1923. Shock absorbers, applications of; land-wheels. -In an aircraft undercarriage for absorbing both lateral and vertical shocks, the wheels are rotatably mounted on a common axle or on separate axles guided under the action of shock absorbing means, by vertical and horizontal guides. In the form shown in Fig. 1, each wheel 12 is mounted on a separate axle 6 which slides horizontally in a sleeve pivoted on a fulcrum pin 8 and acting as a horizontal guide for the axle. Rubber cord looped over spools 11 mounted on the undercarriage framework and spools 10 fixed to the inner end of the axle, absorb lateral shocks. The axle slides in a rigid vertical guide in the undercarriage framework 7. A known form of shock absorber 14 absorbs the vertical shocks when the axle moves about the fulcrum pin 8. A spring 13 between the sleeve and the axle end serves as a buffer on the return movement of the axle. According to a modification in which lateral shocks in two directions are absorbed, the axle 6, Fig. 3, is centralized by rubber rings 15, separated by metal washers 16, fitted on each side of the fulcrum pin 8. An internal or external oil dash-pot may also be fitted. As shown in Fig. 3, a dash-pot cylinder 17 is secured inside the axle, and a plunger 18, pierced with leak holes, is connected to the fulcrum pin 8. In another modification, the ends of the wheel axle, which is centralized by rubber rings 21, Fig. 4, slide horizontally in sockets 23 mounted upon vertical dash-pot struts 7. A dash-pot device similar to that shown in Fig. 3 may be combined with this arrangement to assist in absorbing lateral shocks.