Patent US3670996A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3670996A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Landing gear gravel and water deflector
Assignee: Boeing Co
•
Filing: 1969-10-20
•
Granted: 1972-06-20
•
Expires: 1989-10-20
Abstract
Abstract A gravel and water deflector plate for preventing gravel and water, which is energized into motion during operation of the landing gear, from damaging other airplane parts. The plate is mounted in a horizontal plane and surrounds the wheel adjacent the ground or runway. The plate extends in all horizontal directions from the wheel for distances which are sufficient to intercept the upthrown gravel trajectories. In addition, the deflector plate may be a separate operational element or may also be utilized as a closing door for the landing gear well during flight.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert W Jenny
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 18:08
CPC Classifications
B; B64; B64C; B64C25/00; B64C25/32
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
70 words
A gravel/water deflector for aircraft landing gear comprising in combination, a. a deflector plate mounted by a hinge means mechanism to said airplane landing gear strut, b. said hinge means mechanism adapted to move said deflector plate in a substantial horizontal position adjacent an associated runway surface during said strut lowered landing condition and to convert said deflector plate into a wheel well closure function upon said strut retracted condition.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
70 words
A gravel/water deflector for aircraft landing gear comprising in combination, a. a deflector plate mounted by a hinge means mechanism to said airplane landing gear strut, b. said hinge means mechanism adapted to move said deflector plate in a substantial horizontal position adjacent an associated runway surface during said strut lowered landing condition and to convert said deflector plate into a wheel well closure function upon said strut retracted condition.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
106 words
A gravel water deflector for aircraft landing gear as claimed in claim 1 wherein said hinge means mechanism includes, a. at least one support arm, spring and stop member, b. a first pivot point and a second pivot point positioned at said deflector plate forward and mid portion, respectively, c. said support arm connected pivotally between said landing gear wheel axis and said second pivot point, d. a bell crank Pivotally connected to said second pivot point, and e. said spring connected pivotally between said first pivot point and said bell crank for holding said deflector plate in a substantial horizontal position against said stop member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
A gravel/water deflector for aircraft landing gear as claimed in claim 2 wherein said deflector plate has a substantially rectangular configuration and is provided with at least one opening for said associated landing gear wheel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
59 words
A gravel/water deflector for aircraft landing gear as claimed in claim 3 wherein said deflector plate has a forward, mid and aft portion which extends from said landing gear wheel in a horizontal plane below said wheel center in a forward, aft and side direction from said wheel for a distance being sufficient to intersect wheel energized gravel trajectories.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
47 words
A gravel/water deflector for aircraft landing gear as claimed in claim 4 wherein said deflector plate extends in the aft direction substantially for a substantially longer distance than in forward and side direction, thereby preventing energized stirred-up gravel from travelling to said aircraft associated engine intake area.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
A gravel/water deflector for aircraft landing gear as claimed in claim 5 wherein said aft end portion of said deflector plate has a length of more than one wheel diameter.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
A gravel/water deflector for aircraft landing gear as claimed in claim 5 wherein said length of said aft portion of said deflector plate is between one and three wheel diameters.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
A gravel/water deflector for aircraft landing gear as claimed in claim 5 wherein said length of said aft portion of said deflector plate is about 2 feet.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
A gravel/water deflector for aircraft landing gear as claimed in claim 5 wherein said landing gear relates to a nose wheel landing gear arrangement.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
101 words
A gravel/water deflector for aircraft landing gear comprising in combination a deflector plate, mounted to said airplane, having a substantially horizontally disposed flat surface surrounding said landing gear wheel at a substantial horizontal plane below said wheel center and extending in forward, aft and side directions from said wheel for a distance being sufficient to intersect wheel energized gravel trajectories, and wherein said deflector plate is mounted to said airplane by pivotable hinge means driven by power means for positioning said deflector about said landing gear in said horizontal plane and for retracting and storing said deflector plate into said aircraft.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
101 words
A gravel/water deflector for aircraft landing gear comprising in combination a deflector plate, mounted to said airplane, having a substantially horizontally disposed flat surface surrounding said landing gear wheel at a substantial horizontal plane below said wheel center and extending in forward, aft and side directions from said wheel for a distance being sufficient to intersect wheel energized gravel trajectories, and wherein said deflector plate is mounted to said airplane by pivotable hinge means driven by power means for positioning said deflector about said landing gear in said horizontal plane and for retracting and storing said deflector plate into said aircraft.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
40 words
A gravel/water deflector for aircraft landing gear as claimed in claim 10 wherein said deflector plate in said stored position covers said landing gear during flight in retracted position so that said deflector plate performs a wheel well door function.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
A gravel/water deflector for aircraft landing gear as claimed in claim 11 wherein said power means comprises landing gear lowering and retracting actuation means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-06-20 | 1975-12-20 | 1976-06-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-06-20 | 1979-12-20 | 1980-06-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-06-20 | 1983-12-20 | 1984-06-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |