Air-ground detection system for semi-levered landing gear
First Claim
1. A method using an air-ground detection system comprising a truck beam of a semi-levered landing gear mounted on a pivot point, a positioning mechanism connected to a semi-levered linkage assembly that secures an angle of the truck beam in a toes up position, the semi-levered linkage assembly configured to change from a secured, steady state to a locked state in response to initial ground contact, and the air-ground detection system further comprising a sensor connected to the semi-levered linkage assembly, the semi-levered linkage assembly comprising a compression spring and a tension spring, the method comprising:
- holding, using the compression spring, the semi-levered linkage assembly in a steady state while a tension load on the semi-levered linkage assembly is less than a pre-determined tension load value;
holding, using the tension spring, the semi-levered linkage assembly in the steady state while a first compression load on the semi-levered linkage assembly is less than a pre-determined compression load value;
permitting, using the tension spring, the semi-levered linkage assembly to fold closed while under a second compression load exceeding the pre-determined compression load value; and
sensing, using the sensor, a change of the semi-levered linkage assembly from a steady state to a locked state based on a change in orientation of the tension spring.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for air-ground detection. A truck beam of a semi-levered landing gear is mounted on a pivot pin. The truck beam is configured to rotate about the pivot pin between a toes down position and a toes up position. A positioning mechanism is connected to a locking mechanism that secures an angle of the truck beam in the toes up position. The locking mechanism is secured in a steady state and configured to change from the steady state to a locked state in response to an initial ground contact. A sensor is connected to the locking mechanism. The sensor is configured to detect a change from the steady state to the locked state.
90 Citations
7 Claims
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1. A method using an air-ground detection system comprising a truck beam of a semi-levered landing gear mounted on a pivot point, a positioning mechanism connected to a semi-levered linkage assembly that secures an angle of the truck beam in a toes up position, the semi-levered linkage assembly configured to change from a secured, steady state to a locked state in response to initial ground contact, and the air-ground detection system further comprising a sensor connected to the semi-levered linkage assembly, the semi-levered linkage assembly comprising a compression spring and a tension spring, the method comprising:
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holding, using the compression spring, the semi-levered linkage assembly in a steady state while a tension load on the semi-levered linkage assembly is less than a pre-determined tension load value; holding, using the tension spring, the semi-levered linkage assembly in the steady state while a first compression load on the semi-levered linkage assembly is less than a pre-determined compression load value; permitting, using the tension spring, the semi-levered linkage assembly to fold closed while under a second compression load exceeding the pre-determined compression load value; and sensing, using the sensor, a change of the semi-levered linkage assembly from a steady state to a locked state based on a change in orientation of the tension spring. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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Specification