Crash attenuation landing gear

Claim 2

In a landing gear where an airframe is mounted on a cushioned strut including an airframe mounted portion guided along a landing gear portion after said landing gear touches down, crash attenuation means comprising: a. a work absorbing tube secured at one end thereof to said airframe mounted portion in an encircling relation with respect to said airframe mounted portion, and b. a work applying structural fitting secured to said airframe at the other end of the work absorbing tube adapted to engage and work said tube as said airframe moves downward relative to said airframe mounted portion to dissipate energy involved in arresting downward movement of said airframe including coupling structure between said airframe and said airframe mounted portion which is provided to fail at a predetermined load to permit movement of said airframe relative to said airframe mounted portion.

Claim 3

A landing gear system for placing in series with an air cushion a solid work piece for absorption of energy upon high impact landing of an airframe which comprises: a. a landing gear including a strut formed of a lower piston working inside an upper cylinder with oil filled and air filled variable volume compartments therein for developing an air cushion in the air filled compartment and differential oil pressures across the head of said piston upon downward movement of said cylinder relative to said piston, b. fastening means connecting said cylinder to said airframe and structured to fail at a predetermined load applied through said fastening means to said cylinder, c. guide means through which said upper cylinder moves upon failure of said fastening means, d. an absorption tube secured to said airframe adjacent the upper end of said cylinder and encompassing at least the upper portion of said cylinder, and e. structure carried by said cylinder adjacent the lower end of said absorption tube for engaging said lower end to mechanically work said tube upon downward movement of said airframe relative to said upper cylinder.

Claim 4

A landing gear system for placing in series with an air cushion a solid work piece for absorption of energy upon high impact landing of an airframe which comprises: a. a landing gear including a strut formed of a lower piston working inside an upper cylinder with oil filled and air filled variable volume compartments therein for developing an air cushion in the air filled compartment and differential oil pressures across the head of said piston upon downward movement of said cylinder relative to said piston, b. fastening means connecting said cylinder to said airframe and structured to fail at a predetermined load applied through said fastening means to said cylinder, c. guide means through which said upper cylinder moves upon failure of said fastening means, d. an absorption tube secured to said airframe adjacent the upper end of said cylinder and encompassing at least the upper portion of said cylinder, and e. structure carried by said cylinder adjacent the lower end of said absorption tube for engaging said lower end to mechanically work said tube upon downward movement of said airframe relative to said upper cylinder.

Claim 5

The combination set forth in claim 2 in which said cylinder has an up facing shoulder at a point below the lower end of said absorption tube and wherein a working ring is mounted on said shoulder and adapted to engage said absorption tube to work said absorption tube as said airframe moves downward relative to said cylinder.

Claim 6

The combination set forth in claim 3 in which said working ring comprises a plurality of radial up facing cutter blades which are adapted to slice said absorption tube into longitudinal strips as said airframe moves downward relative to said cylinder.

Claim 7

The combination set forth in claim 2 in which a load bearing assembly is secured to said airframe at a point normally positioned immediately below said structure and is adapted to guide said airframe downward over said cylinder during working of said absorption tube.