Wheel comprising an internal inflatable channel, landing gear and aircraft comprising such a wheel

Abstract

The invention relates to a wheel (1, 1') comprising a rim (20a, 20b) on which an inflation valve (10) and a tire (6) are mounted. The inflation valve (10) extends through an inflation channel (11) which extends through the rim and opens into a gas volume (V) defined by the rim and the tire. The inflation valve (10) is arranged near a flange (24b) of the rim. The invention also relates to a landing gear and an aircraft equipped with such a wheel.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a wheel comprising a rim in which inflation and / or deflation channels are organized. The wheel is intended to be fitted to a vehicle such as an aircraft. Background Art

[0002] A wheel typically comprises a central hub defining the wheel's axis of rotation and a rim coaxially arranged around the central hub and connected to the central hub via a web. The rim is provided with annular flanges projecting towards the outside of the wheel and adapted to receive a tyre fitted to the rim between them, defining a volume for receiving inflation gas.

[0003] As is known in the art, the rim of an aircraft wheel generally comprises an inner rim half and an outer rim half, which have corresponding webs and are assembled together by means of angularly spaced bolts. The inner rim half usually comprises a recess for accommodating a sealing gasket, which is compressed between the two halves in order to seal the volume defined by the rim and the tire.

[0004] Aircraft wheels are also equipped with an inflation valve, which communicates with the volume defined by the rim and tire, allowing the tire's inflation pressure to be checked and adjusted. The valve is typically fixed to the outer rim half, i.e., the free side of the wheel, to facilitate the inflation operation. More precisely, the valve protrudes axially from the web of the outer rim half into the volume defined by an annular portion of the rim, which protects the valve from air currents generated by impacts and coasting.

[0005] In the aviation sector, it is now becoming common practice to equip aircraft with means for driving the wheels in rotation, enabling them to move on the ground without using their own aircraft engines, particularly in order to reduce their environmental footprint. It has been found that assembling the wheels with motors when they are already equipped with brakes is technically difficult, particularly due to the lack of available space and the need to cool the brakes after braking. Specifically, the inner half of the wheel rim is already filled with brake discs, leaving very little space in the immediate vicinity of the wheel for installing the motor and its couplings.

[0006] Furthermore, proposals have been made to install a drive member in the outer rim half. However, the presence of an inflation valve in the web makes any such installation more complicated, as access to the valve must be provided for the purposes of inflation and checking tire pressure. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The object of the present invention is therefore to propose an aircraft wheel which is able to at least partially avoid the above-mentioned problems.

[0008] To this end, the present invention provides a vehicle wheel comprising a rim centered about the wheel's axis of rotation, a tire mounted on the rim, and a tire inflation valve. The tire is engaged between flanges fixed to the rim, thereby cooperating with the rim to define a volume connected to the outside via an inflation channel.

[0009] According to the invention, the inflation channel extends in the rim and has a first end opening into the volume and a second end opening out near one of the flanges and provided with an inflation valve.

[0010] The valve is thus deflected to the vicinity of the junction between the flange and the rim, thereby releasing the volume defined by the rim opposite the tire.

[0011] According to a particular feature of the invention, the channel extends substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the wheel.

[0012] Specifically, the rim includes a substantially linear boss extending axially from a web fixed to the rim toward a flange of the rim, the flange having an inflation valve extending adjacent thereto, and an inflation channel extending at least partially inside the boss.

[0013] Specifically, the boss includes a receiving surface for receiving the inflation valve, the receiving surface running from a flange having the inflation valve extending adjacent thereto.

[0014] In particular, the inflation valve is tilted outwardly relative to the axis of rotation of the wheel.

[0015] According to another specific feature, the rim comprises two half-rims, each half-rim comprising a respective annular rim portion, a respective web and a respective half-hub, the half-hubs being arranged to be rotatably received on the axle.

[0016] In particular, the inflation channel extends through only one of the two rim halves.

[0017] According to another particular feature, the protective ring is coaxially fastened to the rim via fastener means (13, 25), the protective ring being arranged so that the inflation valve extends inside the volume defined by the rim and said ring.

[0018] In particular, the fastener device comprises a lug protruding axially from the outer periphery of the rim, and the protective ring is fixed to the lug with bolts.

[0019] Specifically, the protective ring includes a plurality of substantially arc-shaped parts.

[0020] Specifically, the protective ring leaves an empty space around the inflation valve.

[0021] The invention also provides aircraft landing gear comprising such a wheel.

[0022] The present invention also provides an aircraft comprising such a landing gear. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] The present invention may be better understood from the following description, which is intended to be illustrative and non-limiting only and should be read with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0024] [ Figure 1 ] Figure 1 is an axial cross-sectional view of a braked aircraft wheel in a first specific embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] [ Figure 2 ] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 a perspective view of a portion of an aircraft wheel shown in , illustrating the arrangement of the inflation valve;

[0026] [ Figure 3 ] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 a front view of a variant of the aircraft wheel shown in , illustrating the arrangement of the means for fastening the protective ring;

[0027] [ Figure 4 ] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 a perspective view of a portion of an aircraft wheel shown in , illustrating the shape of the protective ring near the inflation valve; and

[0028] [ Figure 5 ] Figure 5 is an axial section through a portion of an aircraft wheel on plane IV-IV, showing the profile of the protection ring. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] The following describes the use of the wheel as an aircraft wheel for mounting to the bottom end of an undercarriage of an aircraft landing gear.

[0030] refer to Figure 1 In a particular embodiment of the present invention, the aircraft wheel 1 includes two wheel halves 20a and 20b, each wheel halves 20a and 20b having a respective annular rim 21a, 21b connected to a respective half-hub 23a, 23b via a respective web 22a, 22b. The half-hubs 23a, 23b are rotatably received on the axle by means of respective bearings 2, 3. The wheel half 20a includes a groove formed in the edge of the rim 21a and has a sealing gasket 4 arranged therein so that once the two wheel halves 20a and 20b are assembled together, the sealing gasket 4 is elastically compressed between the two wheel halves 20a and 20b.

[0031] The wheel halves 20a and 20b are movable towards each other in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation X of the wheel 1 and include centering surfaces to ensure that the two wheel halves 20a and 20b are correctly positioned relative to each other. The wheel halves 20a and 20b are held in place by assembly bolts 5 arranged in facing holes formed in the webs 22a and 22b.

[0032] The bolts 5 are assembled and tightened in a known manner to assemble the wheel halves 20a and 20b after the tire 6 has been mounted on the rims 21a and 21b. In this position, the gasket 4 is elastically compressed between the wheel halves 20a and 20b, thus preventing the gas contained in the volume V defined by the tire 6 and the wheel halves 20a and 20b from escaping outside the wheel 1.

[0033] Each of the wheel halves 20a and 20b has a respective annular flange 24a, 24b arranged at the distal end of the rim 21a, 21b and projecting radially outwards from the wheel 1. The rim flanges 24a and 24b form radial abutments preventing the tyre 6 from falling off the rim.

[0034] The rim 21a has an inner surface facing the outer surface of the half-hub 23a and cooperates with the outer surface of the half-hub 23a and the web 22a to define a space for receiving a stack of brake discs (not shown). This stack comprises a stator disc that does not rotate relative to the wheel axle and a rotor disc having peripheral notches (given the general reference numeral 7) for receiving rods fixed to the inner surface of the rim 21a. Each rod 7 extends along an axis parallel to the axis of rotation X of the wheel 1.

[0035] like Figure 2 As shown, the rim 21b has an inner surface provided with a first substantially rectilinear projection 8 extending axially from the web 22b towards the distal end of said rim 21b, wherein the projection terminates beside a surface 9 extending from the flange 24b.

[0036] An air filling channel 11 extends inside the boss 8, in a plane containing the axis of rotation X of the wheel 1 and dividing said boss 8 into two equal parts, this channel opening out into the volume V proximal to the rim 21b, in the vicinity of the web 22b. In this example, the channel 11 is in the form of two boreholes opening out into one another, one made in the outer surface of the rim 21b to form the first end of the channel 11 opening out into the volume V, and the other made in the surface 9 of the boss 8 to form the second end of the channel 11.

[0037] The second end of the channel 11 comprises a hole in which is fastened an inflation valve 10 projecting from the surface 9 of the boss 8. The valve 10 enables pressurized gas to be injected into the volume V defined by the tyre 6 and the rims 21a and 21b.

[0038] Arranging the valve 10 outside the wheel half 20b in this way, in particular adjacent the rim flange 24b, allows the drive components of the wheel 1 to be mounted inside the wheel half 20b while still ensuring that the valve 10 is accessible to an operator.

[0039] In a similar manner, the rim portion 21 b comprises a second boss 8' which is substantially identical to the first boss 8 and is located at a position diametrically opposite to that of the first boss 8. The boss 8' is thus rectilinear and extends axially from the web 22b towards the distal end of said rim portion 21 b to form a second surface 9' which partially extends from the rim flange 24b.

[0040] Surface 9' includes a hole with a pressure relief valve 12 secured therein. This hole extends through a channel 11' identical to channel 11, allowing the pressurized gas contained in volume V to escape. In the same manner as channel 11, channel 11' extends through boss 8' and lies in a plane containing the axis of rotation X of wheel 1 and dividing boss 8 into two equal parts, opening into volume V proximal to rim 21b, near web 21b. Channel 11' is made by drilling two holes that open into one another: one made in the outer surface of rim 21b, the other in surface 9' from which pressure relief valve 12 projects.

[0041] In order to balance the wheel 1, the bosses 8 and 8' are symmetrically distributed around the axis of rotation X of the wheel 1. Therefore, the channels 11 and 11' extend in the same plane containing the axis of rotation X, which is Figure 1 plane.

[0042] It should be noted that the inflation valve 10 and the pressure relief valve 12 form a non-zero angle α with the rotation axis X of the wheel 1. In this example, the angle α is approximately equal to 30°, which serves to facilitate access for the operator to the inflation valve 10 and the pressure relief valve 12, especially when drive members are present.

[0043] Figure 3 and Figure 4 An aircraft wheel 1 ' is shown, which is only Figure 1 A variant of the aircraft 1 is shown in .

[0044] Wheel 1 ′ differs from wheel 1 in that it includes a protective ring 30 made of metal and extending coaxially around the axis of the half-wheels 20 a and 20 b to protect the inflation valve 10 and the pressure relief valve 12. The protective ring 30 comprises two substantially identical, generally semicircular parts extending on either side of the inflation valve 10 and the pressure relief valve 12.

[0045] like Figure 5As shown, each part of the protective ring 30 itself comprises a semi-tubular portion 31 extended on one side by an inwardly curved portion 32 and on the other side by a semi-truncated conical portion 33 terminating in a convex edge 34 .

[0046] At its ends and in its middle, the semi-tubular portion 31 has corresponding orifices that allow it to be fastened to lugs 25 projecting axially from the flange 24b of the half-rim 20b by means of bolts 13. Thus, there are six lugs 25, four of which are arranged next to the inflation valve 10 or the pressure relief valve 12, and the other two serve to limit the deflection of the protective ring 30.

[0047] The curved portion 32 is arranged as close as possible to the half-rim 20 b without touching it, so as to limit disturbances to the air flow and avoid damage to said half-rim 20 b during taxiing.

[0048] The semi-truncated conical portion 33 extends towards the inside of the wheel 1 ′ and forms an angle β, which in this example is substantially close to 60°, with respect to the axis of rotation X. The length of the semi-truncated conical portion 33 may depend, for example, on the volume of air required to pass between the wheel 1 ′ and the drive member of said wheel 1 ′.

[0049] The protective ring 30 thus serves both to protect the inflation valve 10 and the pressure relief valve 12 from external attack and to control the air flow, thereby limiting disturbances in the air flow generated during taxiing.

[0050] In the present example, the raised edge 34 is rounded and thus serves firstly as a reinforcement for the ring 30 and secondly as a means of avoiding damage to adjacent components or injury to the operator.

[0051] Each end of the portions of the ring 30 are chamfered to allow space around the inflation valve 10 and the pressure relief valve 12 to facilitate access to the valves.

[0052] The protective ring 30 is easily removable due to the fastening by means of the screws 13. It can thus be quickly replaced by another protective ring of a different shape, for example in order to adjust the air flow, or indeed in order to accommodate a valve of a different size.

[0053] Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described but covers any variant coming within the ambit of the invention as defined by the claims.

[0054] A wheel may consist of one or more parts.

[0055] The number of bosses may be equal to one or greater than two.

[0056] The inclination angle α of the inflation valve 10 and / or the pressure relief valve 12 may be smaller or larger than 30°, or practically zero.

[0057] Although the protective ring in this example is made of metal, it is possible to envisage the use of other materials (plastic, . . . ).

[0058] The shape and size of the guard ring can vary.

[0059] The protective ring can be made in one piece or in multiple pieces.

[0060] The number of lugs fastening the protective ring to the half-rim may vary.

[0061] Other means of fastening the protective ring to the half-rims are conceivable (clamping, screwing, ...).

[0062] The inclination angle β formed by the frustoconical portion of the protective ring with the axis of rotation X of the wheel 1 ′ may be less than or greater than 60°, or even zero.

[0063] The application of wheel of the present invention on aircraft landing gear has been described above. Of course, it also can be used together with other types of vehicles, for example, together with land vehicles.

Claims

1. A wheel of a vehicle, comprising a rim (20a, 20b), the rim (20a, 20b) being centered on the axis of rotation (X) of the wheel, and having a tire (6) and an inflation valve (10) for the tire mounted on the rim, the tire (6) being engaged between a first flange (24a) and a second flange (24b) fixed to the rim, thereby cooperating with the rim to define a volume (V), the volume (V) being connected to the outside by an inflation channel (11) extending inside the rim and formed inside the rim, the inflation channel having a first end and a second end, the first end opening into the volume, the second end opening to the outside of the volume (V) near the second flange (24b) and being provided with the inflation valve (10), characterized in that The rim (20b) comprises a substantially linear boss (8) extending from a web (22b) fixed to the rim toward the second flange (24b) of the rim, the second flange (24b) having an inflation valve (10) extending adjacent thereto, and the inflation channel (11) extending at least partially inside the boss (8).

2. The wheel according to claim 1, characterized in that The channel extends substantially parallel to the axis of rotation (X) of the wheel.

3. The wheel according to claim 1, wherein The boss (8) includes a receiving surface (9) for receiving the inflation valve (10), the receiving surface running from the second flange (24b), the second flange (24b) having the inflation valve extending adjacent thereto.

4. The wheel according to claim 1, wherein The inflation valve (10) is tilted outwardly relative to the axis of rotation (X) of the wheel.

5. The wheel according to claim 1, wherein The rim comprises two half-rims (20a, 20b), each half-rim comprising a respective annular rim portion (21a, 21b), a respective web (22a, 22b) and a respective half-hub (23a, 23b), the half-hubs (23a, 23b) being arranged to be rotatably received on a wheel axle.

6. The wheel according to claim 5, characterized in that The inflation channel (11) passes through only one (20b) of the two half rims.

7. The wheel according to claim 1, wherein The wheel comprises a protective ring (30) fastened coaxially to the rim via fastener means, the protective ring being arranged so that the inflation valve (10) extends inside the volume defined by the rim and the ring.

8. The wheel according to claim 7, characterized in that The fastener means comprises a lug (25) projecting axially from the periphery of the rim, the protective ring being bolted to the lug.

9. A wheel according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that The protective ring (30) comprises a plurality of substantially arc-shaped parts.

10. The wheel according to claim 7, wherein The protective ring (30) leaves an empty space around the inflation valve (10).

11. Aircraft landing gear comprising at least one wheel according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. An aircraft comprising the landing gear according to claim 11.

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