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Lightweight Helicopter Skid Shoes

Inactive Publication Date: 2013-12-26
BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present disclosure provides a lightweight skid shoe assembly for protecting the surface of a structure from friction-related damage. The assembly comprises a body made of one or more layers of wear-resistant, non-metallic or partially metallic material, which withstands shear forces when frictionally engaging a contact surface. The body also prevents friction-related damage to a surface of the structure. Additionally, the assembly may include a shear-bearing mechanism that directs a portion of shear forces away from the body, further protecting the surface of the structure. The invention is useful for a variety of applications where friction-related damage can occur, such as manufacturing processes, logistical operations, and construction projects.

Problems solved by technology

Skid tubes may be damaged by repeated contact and friction with landing surfaces during takeoffs, landing, and ground transport.
While they offer effective protection, traditional skid shoes are relatively heavy, which can reduce the usable load capability of a helicopter.

Method used

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  • Lightweight Helicopter Skid Shoes
  • Lightweight Helicopter Skid Shoes
  • Lightweight Helicopter Skid Shoes

Examples

Experimental program
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Embodiment Construction

[0024]Embodiments of the present disclosure generally provide a lightweight skid shoe assembly for use in a variety of applications including, but not limited to, protecting helicopter skid landing gear and other structures from friction-related damage. The skid shoe assembly may be lighter than traditional skid shoe assemblies, thereby reducing a helicopter's empty weight and increasing its useful load. In various embodiments, lightweight skid shoe assembly may be easier to periodically replace than traditional skid shoe assemblies. In various embodiments, the skid shoe assembly may comprise a skid shoe body of wear-resistant materials, all or a portion of which having sacrificial wear properties, a shear-bearing coupling mechanism to alleviate shear forces acting on the skid shoe body, and / or a recess in a protected structure within which the skid shoe body is disposed.

[0025]FIGS. 1-6B illustrate representative embodiments of skid shoe assemblies 100, 150, 160, 170, 180 and parts ...

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PUM

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Abstract

A lightweight skid shoe assembly comprises a body of wear resistant, non-metallic or partially metallic material; and a structure coupling mechanism; wherein the body prevents friction-related damage to the structure. Another lightweight skid shoe assembly comprises a body of wear resistant, non-metallic or partially metallic material selected from the group consisting of: a polyamide or polyimide impregnated carbon fiber layup, a peek or PEI injection mold with carbon fiber, compression molded carbon fiber or fiberglass, a resin infusion with carbon fiber preform fabric, a fiber reinforced thermoset, acetal resin, machined acetal or thermoplastic, thermosetting plastic, or a metal-matrix composite; wherein the body prevents friction-related damage to a structure. Another lightweight skid shoe assembly comprises a body of wear resistant, non-metallic or partially metallic material; and a shear-bearing mechanism; wherein the shear-bearing mechanism directs shear forces away from the body; and wherein the body prevents friction-related damage to the structure.

Description

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE[0001]The present disclosure generally relates to a skid shoe assembly, and more particularly, to a lightweight skid shoe assembly that may protect a structure, such as a helicopter skid tube, from friction-related damage.BACKGROUND[0002]Many helicopters feature skid-type landing gear, which generally comprises an assembly of horizontal skid tubes connected by support structure the fuselage of the helicopter. Skid tubes may be damaged by repeated contact and friction with landing surfaces during takeoffs, landing, and ground transport. Pads of wear-resistant metal, known as skid shoes, are typically attached to the skid tubes to protect them from damage. While they offer effective protection, traditional skid shoes are relatively heavy, which can reduce the usable load capability of a helicopter.SUMMARY[0003]Embodiments of the present disclosure generally provide lightweight skid shoe assemblies for protecting the surface of a structure from friction-related d...

Claims

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): B64C25/52
CPCB64C25/52B64C2025/325
Inventor MCCOLLOUGH, JAMES M.AMANTE, WILLIAM A.
Owner BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC
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