초록 ▼

A shock absorber, optionally operable as a retractable landing gear actuator, includes a sealed cylinder divided by a cylinder head to define an upper chamber and a lower chamber, the lower chamber further divided by a piston having a piston rod passing in sealed manner through the lower cylinder en

A shock absorber, optionally operable as a retractable landing gear actuator, includes a sealed cylinder divided by a cylinder head to define an upper chamber and a lower chamber, the lower chamber further divided by a piston having a piston rod passing in sealed manner through the lower cylinder end. The cylinder head includes one or more orifices, the effective opening of each orifice controlled by a valve, the valve having a stem attached to and passing through the upper cylinder end to the atmosphere, such that the pressure between the piston and the cylinder head is limited to a certain value above atmospheric pressure, regardless of the velocity or position of the piston. The valve is forced toward the closed position by a spring against a stop such that it is always at least partially open. During hard or crash landings, high fluid pressure on the piston or in the upper chamber forces the valve further open.

대표청구항 ▼

[ I claim:] [1.] A shock absorber for fitting to the landing gear of an aircraft, the shock absorber comprising:a cylinder having a first end and a second end and containing a hydraulic fluid;a piston located in the cylinder, the piston having a rod extending outward from the second end of the cylin

[ I claim:] [1.] A shock absorber for fitting to the landing gear of an aircraft, the shock absorber comprising:a cylinder having a first end and a second end and containing a hydraulic fluid;a piston located in the cylinder, the piston having a rod extending outward from the second end of the cylinder;an orifice in the cylinder, through which the hydraulic fluid flows as the piston moves toward the first end due to a shock applied; anda valve mounted to the cylinder, having a first end adjacent the orifice and a second end exposed to atmospheric pressure, the valve being movable relative to the orifice from a less restrictive position to fluid flow through the orifice to a more restrictive position and being urged toward the more restrictive position by a spring, wherein if a shock applied to the shock absorber is of sufficient magnitude, a pressure differential between atmospheric pressure and pressure between the valve and the piston causes the valve to move toward the less restrictive position to allow a greater flow rate through the orifice.