LIGHTER, STRONGER LANDING GEAR LEGS FOR SMALL AIRPLANES

摘要

An airplane gear leg that is strong, stiff, and capable of storing large amounts of energy and formed of two composite materials. The first fiber material is very strong and flexible, allowing it to store a great deal of energy in a hard landing and fibers are oriented essentially parallel to the axis of the gear leg. The other fiber material is very stiff, providing the torsional rigidity necessary to avoid flutter. The stiff fibers are laid at a large angle to the axis of the gear leg so their elastic limit is not exceeded during a hard landing.