Abstract:
A wheel design is provided for an aircraft landing gear wheel that is configured to maximize the space available within a landing gear wheel well to support a geared motor assembly that drives the aircraft wheel when the aircraft is on the ground. The wheel includes inboard and outboard support walls that are spaced apart a selected distance along the wheel axle so that the geared motor assembly components are substantially completely contained within the wheel space defined by the support walls. The preferred motor driver assembly includes an electric motor and a gear and clutch assembly operatively connected to the wheel to drive the wheel and move the aircraft on the ground. The wheel and motor driver assembly described herein may be retrofitted in an existing aircraft wheel without changing existing landing gear components, including tires, piston, and axle.
Abstract:
A method for reducing the turnaround time of an aircraft having at least one self-propelled undercarriage wheel comprising the step of: moving the aircraft to a required location using at least one self-propelled undercarriage wheel; wherein thrust equipment, (e.g. turbines) are turned on only when needed for takeoff or prior to landing, and are turned off until takeoff or after landing; whereby departing equipment, arriving equipment, and turnaround equipment are not at risk from operating thrust equipment, (e.g. turbines). An apparatus for reducing the turnaround time of an aircraft is disclosed comprising a control unit for facilitating voice communication between a pilot and ground staff. Said control unit may further comprise a control arm for inputting the required direction of movement of said nosewheel; means for transmitting direction information to said self-propelled nosewheel; means for receiving direction information at said self-propelled nosewheel; and means for controlling the direction of said nosewheel. The control unit may also comprise means for turning on and off an APU, parking brakes, and other aircraft features.
Abstract:
Materials bonded together are separated using electrical current, thermal stresses, mechanical force, any combination of the above methods, or any other application or removal of energy until the bonds disappear and the materials are separated. In one embodiment the original bonding was composed of two layers of material. In another embodiment, the sandwich was composed of three layers. In a further embodiment, the parts of the sandwich are firmly maintained in their respective positions during the application of current so as to be able to subsequently align the materials relative to one another.
Abstract:
The present invention is a method for introducing a low work function material into a pair of matched electrodes. The method involves fabricating a composite of two electrodes and a low work function material, and treating the composite so that it splits to give a pair of matched electrodes.
Abstract:
Methods for making low work function electrodes either made from or coated with an electride material in which the electride material has lattice defect sites are described. Lattice defect sites are regions of the crystal structure where irregularities and deformations occur. Also provided are methods for making electrodes which consist of a substrate coated with a layer of a compound comprised of a cation complexed by an electride former, in which said complex has lattice defect sites. In addition, methods for making electrodes which consist of a bulk metal coated with a layer of an electride former having lattice defect sites are described. The electride former stabilizes the loss of electrons by surface sites on the metal, lowering the work-function of the coated surface.
Abstract:
An integral motor and wheel assembly for aircraft landing gear is provided that includes an electric motor packaged within at least one gear wheel and configured to fit completely within the space provided in an existing aircraft for the landing gear components. The motor is positioned within the wheel to minimize the spin-up weight and to maximize the space within a given volume allocated for the motor. Installation of this motor and gear wheel assembly in an existing aircraft landing gear is designed to permit the continued use of existing landing gear components, including tires, axles, and pistons, so that the assembly can be easily retrofitted into existing aircraft.
Abstract:
The present invention describes a drive system for an aircraft involving one or more nose wheel motors. Data regarding the nose wheel rotation is used to control the ground travel of the aircraft, to predict potential problems, to provide more precise control over the aircraft, and to improve aircraft safety.
Abstract:
The invention disclosed is a self-propelled aircraft undercarriage for driving an aircraft on the ground, comprising: an axle; a strut supporting said axle; at least one wheel rotatably mounted on said axle; and drive means for driving said at least one wheel; characterized in that said drive means is disk shaped and is external to said wheel. In one embodiment of the invention, said drive means is mounted on said axle between said strut and said wheel. In a second embodiment, said drive means is mounted on said axle, on the side of said wheel furthest from said strut.
Abstract:
An undercarriage wheel is disclosed comprising an axle member that supports a drive member, for example but not limited to a compact high torque electric motor, a wheel member driven by said drive member, and a tire attached to the wheel member, wherein the tire bulges in the width dimension of the wheel, wherein the drive member protrudes from the wheel member and thus occupies at least some of the additional width made available by the bulge of the tire. A further aspect of the invention is an undercarriage wheel that comprises an axle member that supports a drive member, for example but not limited to a compact high torque electric motor, a wheel member driven by said drive member, and a low-profile tire attached to the wheel member. Since the profile of the tire is low, additional space is available inside the wheel for the drive member. Preferably, the drive member occupies at least some of this additional space, and has sufficient power to be able to propel an aircraft to which the undercarriage assembly is attached, either alone or in combination with other self-propelled undercarriage assemblies attached to the aircraft.
Abstract:
A method is disclosed for the induction of a suitable band gap and electron emissive properties into a substance, in which the substrate is provided with a surface structure corresponding to the interference of electron waves. Lithographic or similar techniques are used, either directly onto a metal mounted on the substrate, or onto a mold which then is used to impress the metal. In a preferred embodiment, a trench or series of nano-sized trenches are formed in the metal.