Swivel nose caster for aircraft floats
US12330775B1 · kind B1 · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 19, 2024 |
| Grant date | Jun 17, 2025 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 19, 2044 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB64C2025/008
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An amphibious aircraft has two floats with a retractable nose gear at the front end of each float. The nose gear includes a nose wheel attached to a nose linkage. The nose gear includes a swivel caster with a bifluidic strut for fluid-dampened suspension. In some examples, the strut's longitudinal centerline lies at an angle to the swivel axis of rotation, and that angle changes in response to a load or weight being applied to the nose wheel. In some examples, the strut has a gas chamber for spring action and a liquid chamber for dampening. In some examples, the gas chamber is below the liquid chamber to minimize the width of the nose linkage near the nose wheel. In some examples, a free-floating piston provides a seal for dividing the gas from the liquid.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.