GB465389A - Device for the safe landing of air vehicles - Google Patents

Abstract

465,389. Aircraft wheel brakes and landing-gear. LEVEL, T. E. Aug. 6, 1936, No. 21636. [Class 4] Relates to landing-gear of the kind wherein an undercarriage is connected to an aircraft by plunger pistons and cylinders so arranged that the relative displacement which takes place on landing brings about a fluid pressure in the cylinders which is utilized for operating wheel brakes. Main landing wheels 11, 12, Figs. 1 and 2, are mounted on an axle secured to rods 27, Fig. 2, of pistons 13 working in cylinders 1, 2. The undersides of the pistons are maintained under atmospheric pressure by air vents 17, 18 and the upper working chambers of the cylinders are connected by a pipe 3 to a three-way valve 4, by a pipe 15 to pressure-release valve 16 and by a pipe 20 to a pressure source. In flight, valves 4 and 16 are closed and the axle is stated to be maintained near to the position shown by atmospheric pressure on the undersides of the pistons. Prior to landing, valves 4 and 16 are opened to atmosphere to lower the wheel axle to the dotted line position of Fig. 1. These valves are then closed and the cylinders charged with air under pressure through pipe 20. On landing, pistons 13 move upwardly compressing the air above them, the maximum pressure being limited by release valve 16. The air compressed by pistons 13 is used to operate brakes 9, 10 through servomotor 8, a connection being established for this purpose with valve 4 by means of a pipe 5. Pipe 5 is in two parts, Fig. 5, each of which communicates with an annular chamber 24 formed in the bore of a winding reel 6. Reel 6 is loaded by a spring 7 in such manner as to maintain the lower pipe element taut in any relative position of axle and cylinder.