The Boeing Company

Edward Joseph Nowakowski

Gary M Lindahl

Leo Walter Plude

Malcolm Scott Bryant

A mechanical link () comprises a shaft (). A first mounting interface () extends from the first end portion () of the shaft () and is not movable relative to the shaft (). A second mounting interface () is threadably coupled with the second end portion () of the shaft (). A tubular sleeve () circumscribes a portion of the shaft () and comprises a slot (). A pin () extends from the shaft () and passes through the slot (). A stop () is coupled with the second end portion () and fixed to the shaft (). A washer () circumscribes a portion of the shaft () between the tubular sleeve () and the stop (). A spring () biases the tubular sleeve () toward the stop (). A first jam nut () is threadably coupled with the second end portion () between the second mounting interface () and the stop ().

Mechanical link with preload verification

A mechanical link () comprises a shaft () having a central axis (). At least a portion of a first end portion () of the shaft () is received within an opening () of a first mounting interface () with a clearance fit. The shaft () is rotatable and translatable relative to the first mounting interface (). A second mounting interface () is threadably coupled with a second end portion () of the shaft (). A tubular sleeve () circumscribes a portion of the shaft () and comprises a slot (). A pin () extends from the shaft () and passes through the slot (). A stop () is coupled with the second end portion () and fixed to the shaft (). A washer () circumscribes a portion of the shaft () between the tubular sleeve () and the stop (). A spring () biases the tubular sleeve () toward the stop (). A first jam nut () is threadably coupled with the second end portion () between the second mounting interface () and the stop ().

Hydraulic systems for shrinking landing gear shrink are described. An example apparatus includes a landing gear strut, a transfer cylinder, aircraft hydraulics, a pressure vessel, and a pressure-operated check valve. The landing gear strut has an outer cylinder and an inner cylinder movable relative to the outer cylinder between a first position and a second 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 with the landing gear strut. The aircraft hydraulics exchange hydraulic fluid with the transfer cylinder. The pressure vessel exchanges gas with the landing gear strut. The pressure-operated check valve controls an exchange of gas between the pressure vessel and the landing gear strut based on hydraulic fluid received from the aircraft hydraulics.

Hydraulic systems for shrinking landing gear

A mechanical link comprises a shaft having a central axis, a first end portion threaded in a first direction, and a second end portion threaded in an opposite second direction. A first mounting interface and second mounting interface are respectively coupled with the first end portion and second end portion. A tubular sleeve circumscribes a portion of the shaft and comprises a slot. A pin extends from the shaft and passes through the slot. A stop is coupled with the second end portion and fixed to the shaft. A washer circumscribes a portion of the shaft between the tubular sleeve and the stop. A spring biases the tubular sleeve toward the stop. A first jam nut is coupled with the first end portion between the first mounting interface and the spring. A second jam nut is coupled with the second end portion between the second mounting interface and the stop.

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Berkeley, MO, United States of America

Edward Joseph Nowakowski