Lockheed Martin Corporation

Aircraft Braking Systems Corporation

James E Houmard

Jonathan M Peritt

Thomas L Marimon

Dana J Fehr

A propulsion assembly for attachment to the enclosing material of an airship which includes a base which is positioned proximate to the enclosing material. An extension member having opposed ends projects away from the base and includes opposed ends. A motor assembly is attached to the end of the extension member opposed to the base. A mounting assembly is attached to the enclosing material and a plurality of pre-tensioned guy cables connect the mounting assembly to the extension member.

Direct mounted propulsion for non-rigid airships

A wheel and brake assembly is provided for use with an aircraft. A landing gear strut depends from the aircraft and an axle is mounted to the strut. At least one brake assembly housing is mounted to the axle, on either side of the strut. One or more torque take-out pins are provided on the strut to be received in mating sockets provided in the brake assembly housing. Torque from the brake assembly housing is transferred to the strut or a stationary member by way of the pins and sockets. At least one tie rod member engages lug members provided on at least one brake assembly housing and the strut or stationary member. At least two brake assembly housings mounted on opposite sides of the strut may be interconnected by at least one tie rod member. Thus, the brake assembly housing is interconnected and may be drawn toward the strut or stationary member by selective adjustment of a turnbuckle incorporated into the tie rod member. When the brake assembly housing is drawn toward a stationary member the torque take-out pins angularly bottom out in the sockets such that a pre-load force is generated between the brake assembly housing and the stationary member. By disposing a washer between the pin and the socket any excessive clearance is eliminated so as to generate another pre-load force. Furthermore, a pre-load force is created at the axle and a torque tube leg that bears upon the axle. Accordingly, vibration and noise are reduced during aircraft braking.

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Akron, OH, United States of America

James E Houmard