Aircraft Tow-Bar Fitting With Separate Linear and Torque Fuses
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tow-bar fittings on aircraft landing gear frequently fail under non-damaging loads due to false failures, lacking differentiation between linear and torque loads, and there is a need for a mechanism that protects the gear without significant cost or weight increase.
Innovation Solution
A tow-bar fitting with separate fuse members for linear and torque loads, designed to fail at different thresholds, and includes buffers to manage rotational movements and vibrations, ensuring protection against excess loads while maintaining mechanical simplicity and weight efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate fuse members are used for linear and torque loads, then false failures are reduced by differentiating load types, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The first and second fuse members are merged into a single integrated tow-bar fitting assembly, sharing common mounting structures and load transmission paths. This merging approach allows separate fuse members to function independently while maintaining overall structural simplicity and avoiding significant increases in device complexity.
2Manufacturing precision
If separate fuse members with different thresholds are implemented, then protection precision is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fuse members are differentiated by parameter changes in their design specifications, such as cross-sectional area, material properties, or geometric configuration, which directly determine their respective load thresholds. These parameter changes are implemented through standard manufacturing variations rather than complex custom fabrication processes.
Data Source
AI summary
A tow-bar fitting for connecting a tow-bar to an aircraft landing gear is disclosed including a tow-bar attachment to which, in use, the tow-bar is coupled. The tow-bar fitting also includes a first fuse member via which linear loads but not torque loads are transmitted from the tow-bar attachment to the rest of the landing gear. The first fuse member is configured to fail at a predetermined linear load threshold. The tow-bar fitting includes a second fuse member via which torque loads are transmitted from the tow-bar attachment to the rest of the landing gear. The second fuse member is configured to fail at a predetermined torque load threshold. A method of towing an aircraft is also disclosed.