FREE-FLOATING WASHER FOR REBOUND DAMPING
First Claim
1. A rebound damping system for an oleo strut, comprising:
- an outer cylinder forming a first fluid chamber;
an inner cylinder forming a second fluid chamber, the inner cylinder adapted for sliding concentrically within the outer cylinder in a longitudinal direction;
an orifice plate located within the inner cylinder and arranged in a transverse direction perpendicular with the longitudinal direction, the orifice plate providing a fluid path for fluidly coupling the first fluid chamber with the second fluid chamber; and
a free-floating washer positioned adjacent the orifice plate such that during extension of the oleo strut, fluid flow pushes the free-floating washer against the orifice plate thereby covering a portion of the fluid path to prevent fluid flow for increased damping, and during compression of the oleo strut, fluid pushes the free-floating washer away from the orifice plate allowing fluid flow through the fluid path.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An oleo strut includes an outer cylinder forming a first fluid chamber and an inner cylinder forming a second fluid chamber. The inner cylinder is adapted for sliding concentrically within the outer cylinder in a longitudinal direction. An orifice plate, which is located within the inner cylinder, has holes for fluidly coupling the first fluid chamber with the second fluid chamber. A free-floating washer is constrained in a slot of the orifice plate adjacent the holes and is adapted to move in the longitudinal direction for alternatively blocking and unblocking at least a portion of the holes. During compression of the oleo strut, fluid pushes the washer away from the holes for reducing resistance to fluid flow. During extension of the oleo strut, fluid pushes the washer against the orifice plate covering at least a portion of the holes, which increases the damping force and reduces the extension speed.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A rebound damping system for an oleo strut, comprising:
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an outer cylinder forming a first fluid chamber; an inner cylinder forming a second fluid chamber, the inner cylinder adapted for sliding concentrically within the outer cylinder in a longitudinal direction; an orifice plate located within the inner cylinder and arranged in a transverse direction perpendicular with the longitudinal direction, the orifice plate providing a fluid path for fluidly coupling the first fluid chamber with the second fluid chamber; and a free-floating washer positioned adjacent the orifice plate such that during extension of the oleo strut, fluid flow pushes the free-floating washer against the orifice plate thereby covering a portion of the fluid path to prevent fluid flow for increased damping, and during compression of the oleo strut, fluid pushes the free-floating washer away from the orifice plate allowing fluid flow through the fluid path. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. An oleo strut having a free-floating washer for rebound damping, comprising:
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an outer cylinder forming a first fluid chamber and mechanically coupled to an airframe of an aircraft; an inner cylinder forming a second fluid chamber, the inner cylinder adapted for sliding concentrically within the outer cylinder in a longitudinal direction; an orifice plate located within the inner cylinder and arranged in a transverse direction, the orifice plate having a plurality of holes for fluidly coupling the first fluid chamber with the second fluid chamber; and the free-floating washer is positioned adjacent the orifice plate for partially covering the plurality of holes due to fluid flow when the oleo strut is extending. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification