System for rolling landing gear

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11753152-B2
Application number	US-202117552512-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 16, 2021
Priority date	Mar 9, 2021
Publication date	Sep 12, 2023
Grant date	Sep 12, 2023

Abstract

A system for rolling landing gear is illustrated. System includes a skid component attached to an aircraft and comprising at least a skid tube oriented laterally to a longitudinal axis of the aircraft. System also includes at least a wheel journaled on a rotational fulcrum and at least a biasing means attaching the rotational fulcrum to the skid tube, wherein the biasing means comprises at least a leaf spring and exerts a recoil force resisting upward displacement of the rotational fulcrum with respect to the skid tube.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A system for rolling landing gear on an electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft, the system comprising:
a skid component attached to the aircraft and comprising at least a skid tube oriented laterally to a longitudinal axis of the aircraft;
at least a wheel journaled on a rotational fulcrum; and
at least a biasing means attaching the rotational fulcrum to the skid tube, wherein the biasing means comprises at least a spring configured to exert a recoil force resisting upward displacement of the rotational fulcrum with respect to the skid tube, wherein the at least a spring includes a first quantity of carbon prestressed springs and a second quantity of fiberglass prestressed springs.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first quantity is more than the second quantity.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first quantity and the second quantity are layered to produce a layered spring assembly.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least a spring includes at least a flex point.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least a skid tube includes at least a recess.

6. The system of claim 5 , wherein the at least a recess houses the at least a wheel.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least a spring extends and retracts the at least a wheel as a function of a change in a downward force.

8. The system of claim 7 , wherein the downward force exceeds the recoil force upon landing.

9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least a spring has two ends and a central section, wherein the rotational fulcrum is attached to the central section, and wherein the two ends are affixed to the at least a skid tube.

10. The system of claim 9 , wherein at least an end of the at least a spring is attached to the aircraft by a machined aluminum clamp.

11. The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least a wheel has a rating force.

12. The system of claim 11 , wherein the rating force is more than a threshold landing force.

13. The system of claim 11 , wherein the rating force includes a rating load.

14. The system of claim 11 , wherein the rating force is determined as a function of a ply rating.

15. The system of claim 14 , wherein the ply rating is determined as a function of a bias ply.

16. The system of claim 14 , wherein the ply rating is determined as a function of a radial ply.

17. A system for rolling landing gear on an electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft, the system comprising:
a skid component attached to the aircraft and comprising at least a skid tube oriented laterally to a longitudinal axis of the aircraft;
at least a wheel journaled on a rotational fulcrum; and
at least a biasing means attaching the rotational fulcrum to the skid tube, wherein the biasing means comprises at least a spring configured to exert a recoil force resisting upward displacement of the rotational fulcrum with respect to the skid tube, wherein the at least a spring has two ends and a central section, wherein the rotational fulcrum is attached to the central section, and wherein the two ends are affixed to the at least a skid tube.

18. The system of claim 17 , wherein at least an end of the at least a spring is attached to the aircraft by a machined aluminum clamp.

19. The system of claim 17 , wherein the at least a spring includes at least a fiberglass prestressed spring.

20. The system of claim 17 , wherein the at least a spring includes at least a carbon prestressed spring.

Assignees

• Beta Air Llc

Inventors

• Griffin Riley Clinton
• Clark Kyle B
• Verna Raffaello

Classifications

• B64C25/52 Primary

  Skis or runners · CPC title

• B64C25/62

  Spring shock-absorbers; Springs · CPC title

• B64C25/66

  Convertible alighting gear; Combinations of different kinds of ground or like engaging elements · CPC title

• B64C2025/325

  specially adapted for helicopters · CPC title

• B64C25/34

  wheeled type, e.g. multi-wheeled bogies · CPC title