Suspension For Aircraft Tail Wheel

• US 20170217574A1
• Filed: 08/16/2016
• Published: 08/03/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 01/29/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Daniel Roger Dufault
• Original Assignee: Daniel Roger Dufault
• Inventors: Dufault, Daniel Roger
• Granted Patent: US 10,442,530 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 25/36 Arrangements or adaptations of wheels, tyres or axles in general
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 25/62 Spring shock-absorbers; Springs

Abstract

A reciprocating shock absorber combined with a coil spring are interposed between the fuselage of an aircraft and the tail wheel. When the tail wheel engages the runway, its attachment pivots, thereby compressing the shock absorber and the coil spring. This results in smooth transfer of forces from the tail wheel to the fuselage and to the pilot and passengers. If desired, one or more tension springs may counteract the forces imposed by the coil spring to restore the extended configuration of the coil spring and shock absorber.

Claims

1. An improved suspension for an aircraft tail wheel, comprising:

a) a first bracket fixedly connectable to an aircraft fuselage;

b) an elongated arm having a first end pivotably connected to said first bracket;

c) a reciprocating shock absorber having a first end pivotably mounted to said first bracket and a second end pivotably mounted to a second bracket, said elongated arm having a second end fixedly mounted to said second bracket;

d) a tire attached to said second bracket via an axle coupled to a fork mounted on said second bracket;

e) whereby when said tire engages a ground surface when said aircraft is landing, said elongated arm pivots about said first bracket and said shock absorber pivots about said first bracket and compresses, thereby dampening forces created by said tire engaging said ground surface.

2. The improved suspension of claim 1, wherein a compression spring surrounds said shock absorber and compresses when said shock absorber compresses.

3. The improved suspension of claim 1, wherein said first end of said shock absorber is at an end of a piston rod and said second end of said shock absorber is at an end of a cylinder.

4. The improved suspension of claim 3, wherein said coil spring is mounted between a disk on said piston rod and said cylinder.

5. The improved suspension of claim 4, wherein said disk is a first disk and said coil spring engages a second disk on said cylinder.

6. The improved suspension of claim 1, wherein said first bracket is L-shaped.

7. The improved suspension of claim 2, wherein a tension spring is connected between said first and second brackets to exert a restoring force in opposition to compression of said compression spring.

8. The improved suspension of claim 1, wherein said shock absorber comprises two side-by-side shock absorbers mounted between said first and second brackets.

9. The improved suspension of claim 7, wherein a chain is interposed between said tension spring and said second bracket.

10. The improved suspension of claim 9, wherein said first bracket is L-shaped.

11. The improved suspension of claim 10, wherein a first leg of said first bracket is connected to said fuselage and a second leg of said first bracket is connected to said first end of said shock absorber.

12. The improved suspension of claim 6, wherein said first bracket comprises two parallel L-shaped brackets mounted to either side of said elongated arm.

13. The improved suspension of claim 12, wherein said coil spring is mounted between a disk on said piston rod and said cylinder.

14. The improved suspension of claim 13, wherein said disk is a first disk and said coil spring engages a second disk on said cylinder.

15. The improved suspension of claim 14, wherein a tension spring is connected between said first and second brackets to exert a restoring force in opposition to compression of said compression spring.

16. An improved suspension for an aircraft tail wheel, comprising:

a) a first L-shaped bracket fixedly connectable to an aircraft fuselage;

b) an elongated arm having a first end pivotably connected to said first bracket;

c) a reciprocating shock absorber having a first end pivotably mounted to said first bracket and a second end pivotably mounted to a second bracket, said elongated arm having a second end fixedly mounted to said second bracket and a compression spring surrounding said shock absorber and which compresses when said shock absorber compresses;

d) a tire attached to said second bracket via an axle coupled to a fork mounted on said second bracket;

e) whereby when said tire engages a ground surface when said aircraft is landing, said elongated arm pivots about said first bracket and said shock absorber pivots about said first bracket and compresses, thereby dampening forces created by said tire engaging said ground surface.

17. The improved suspension of claim 16, wherein said first end of said shock absorber is at an end of a piston rod and said second end of said shock absorber is at an end of a cylinder, said coil spring being mounted between a first disk on said piston rod and a second disk on said cylinder.

18. The improved suspension of claim 16, wherein a tension spring is connected between said first and second brackets to exert a restoring force in opposition to compression of said compression spring.

19. The improved suspension of claim 16, wherein a first leg of said first bracket is connected to said fuselage and a second leg of said first bracket is connected to said first end of said shock absorber.

20. The improved suspension of claim 16, wherein said first bracket comprises two parallel L-shaped brackets mounted to either side of said elongated arm.