Hydraulic systems for shrinking landing gear

US10696381B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• The Boeing Company · US

Inventors

• Leo W. Plude · Redmond, US
• Malcolm S. Bryant · Maple Valley, US
• Gary M. Lindahl · Newcastle, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 9, 2018
• Grant date: Jun 30, 2020
• Expiry date: Feb 16, 2039

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B64C25/60
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

Hydraulic systems for shrinking landing gear shrink are described. An example apparatus includes a landing gear strut, a transfer cylinder, and aircraft hydraulics. The landing gear strut has an outer cylinder and an inner cylinder. The inner cylinder moves relative to the outer cylinder from a first position to a second position as the landing gear strut moves from a deployed position to a retracted position. The landing gear strut has a first length when the inner cylinder is in the first position and a second length less than the first length when the inner cylinder is in the second position. The transfer cylinder exchanges hydraulic fluid and gas with the landing gear strut as the landing gear strut moves from the deployed position to the retracted position. The aircraft hydraulics hydraulically actuate the landing gear strut to move from the deployed position to the retracted position.