Patent Application
20230322022
This is a Nonprovisional Utility U.S. Patent Application filed under 37 CFR 1.53(b).
The present disclosure relates generally to aircraft wheel assemblies. More specifically, the disclosure relates to devices and methods to assist in aircraft wheel assemblies with tie bolt retention systems.
An aircraft wheel is comprised of at least two parts assembled together. Each part is commonly referred to as a wheel half, or outboard and inboard wheel sections. Each wheel half has a wheel bearing located in the center of the assembly, concentric holes for tie bolts, outer edge that contacts tires and an inner mating surface. The outer edge is often referred to as the bead area. There are two different methods for retaining air within the wheel/tire assembly. They are commonly referred to as a tube type or non-tube type design. Tube type designs use an inner tube to container the air within the wheel/tire assembly. Non-tube types use an O-ring at the inner mating surface and the bead contact area to create the seal. The wheel halves are retained together by the use of tie bolts and nuts. Regardless of the type, with both the wheels exert a compressive force on the tire at the bead area. Some tires have very stiff sidewall properties. The compressive force needed to bring the two wheel halves together for tie bolt installation exceeds one person's ability. The use of multiple people or improvised methods for assembling such wheels increases the likelihood of damaged wheels and injury to persons. Thus, there is a need in the field for a device for assisting in a wheel assembly.
It is an object of the invention to provide a device for assisting a user in aircraft wheel assemblies. Another object of the invention is to provide a device enabling a single user to readily connect two wheel sections in a split wheel assembly. It is another object of the invention to provide a device that is lightweight and reusable. The device preferably includes two bushings, two washers, a bolt, and a nut. After inserting the bolt through the wheel sections, a nut can be tightened, thereby creating a compressive force that compresses the bushings and the wheel sections together. While the wheel sections are compressed together, a plurality of tie bolts and tie nuts can be installed on the wheel sections to complete the wheel assembly.
These and other features and advantages will be apparent from reading of the following detailed description and review of the associated drawings. It is to be understood that both the forgoing general description and the following detailed description are explanatory and do not restrict aspects as claimed.
The following descriptions relate principally to preferred embodiments while a few alternative embodiments may also be referenced on occasion, although it should be understood that many other alternative embodiments would also fall within the scope of the invention. The embodiments disclosed are not to be construed as describing limits to the invention, whereas the broader scope of the invention should instead be considered with reference to the claims, which may be now appended or may later be added or amended in this or related applications. Unless indicated otherwise, it is to be understood that terms used in these descriptions generally have the same meanings as those that would be understood by persons of ordinary skill in the art. It should also be understood that terms used are generally intended to have the ordinary meanings that would be understood within the context of the related art, and they generally should not be restricted to formal or ideal definitions, conceptually encompassing equivalents, unless and only to the extent that a particular context clearly requires otherwise.
For purposes of these descriptions, a few wording simplifications should also be understood as universal, except to the extent otherwise clarified in a particular context either in the specification or in particular claims. The use of the term “or” should be understood as referring to alternatives, although it is generally used to mean “and/or” unless explicitly indicated to refer to alternatives only, or unless the alternatives are inherently mutually exclusive. Furthermore, unless explicitly dictated by the language, the term “and” may be interpreted as “or” in some instances. When referencing values, the term “about” may be used to indicate an approximate value, generally one that could be read as being that value plus or minus half of the value. “A” or “an” and the like may mean one or more, unless clearly indicated otherwise. Such “one or more” meanings are most especially intended when references are made in conjunction with open-ended words such as “having,” “comprising” or “including.” Likewise, “another” object may mean at least a second object or more. Thus, in the context of this specification, the term “comprising” is used in an inclusive sense and thus should be understood as meaning “including, but not limited to.” As used herein, the use of “may” or “may be” indicates that a modified term is appropriate, capable, or suitable for an indicated capacity, function, or usage, while considering that in some circumstances the modified term may sometimes not be appropriate, capable, or suitable. “Plurality” is defined as more than one when used to describe a quantity in the specification and claims. Any “examples” of embodiments and components (e.g. dimensions) described herein are considered non-limiting examples.
A T-shaped design of the bushings 101, 111 ensures the wheel halves (sections) can be drawn together with the inner mating surfaces parallel to each other. The bushings can be comprised of various materials including aluminum. Bushings comprised of aluminum have useful properties such as rigidity, durability, and thermal expansion properties similar to wheel assemblies. The edges of the bushings can be filleted to prevent injury to users and prevent damage to wheel assemblies. Filleted edges of bushings can also reduce stress concentration loads at the transition from the flange 103 to the body 102 of the bushing 101.
Further, the device 10 includes a first washer 105 and a second washer 115. The washers 105, 115 are preferably circular shaped and comprised of a low carbon steel. The washers can be zinc-coated to provide corrosion resistance. Washers are implemented in the device 10 to prevent the bushings 101, 111 from spinning when installed in a wheel assembly. Further, the washers 105, 115 can prevent galling of the surfaces of the bushings.
Additionally, the device 10 includes a bolt 120 with a head end 121 and a threaded end 122. The bolt 120 can be comprised of various materials including steel. For example, the bolt 120 can be an ASTM A307 Grade A steel bolt. Bolts with various dimensions can be implemented. For example, the bolt 120 can have a ½ (one-half) inch diameter and a length of seven inches measured from under the bolt head 121 to the end of the threaded end 122. For a bolt length of seven inches, the bolt grip length can be 3.875 inches with a threaded portion length of 3.125 inches. It is desirable to have a threaded portion of sufficient length for proper compression of the wheel assembly. If the threaded portion is too long, over compression of the wheel assembly can occur when tightened. The threaded end 122 of the bolt 120 can include a coarse thread pitch, enabling quick installation and removal of the device 10 in wheel assemblies. The thread pitch can vary and in one example the thread pitch can be thirteen threads per inch (13 TPI). Further, the device 10 includes a nut 123 with threads configured to engage with the threaded end 122 of the bolt. The nut 123 can be comprised of various materials. In this example, the nut 123 is a standard ½ (one-half) inch-13 grade 5 medium carbon nut with a zinc yellow-chromate plated finish.
In an example method of assembly, the first bushing 101 can be inserted through a first wheel section 81 of a wheel assembly. The second bushing 111 can be inserted through the second wheel section 84. Further, the first washer 105 can be placed on the bolt 120 and pushed toward the head end 121. Then, the bolt (with washer) can be inserted through the first bushing 101, the first wheel section 81, the second wheel section 84, and the second bushing 111. With the bolt 120 operatively connecting the bushings and wheel sections, a second washer 115 can be placed on the bolt 120 over the threaded end. A nut 123 can be placed on the bolt 120, wherein the second washer is located (disposed) between the second bushing and the nut. The nut 123 can be tightened, thereby creating a compressive force that compresses the bushings together and compresses the wheel sections together. The bolt 120 and nut 123 apply a compressive force and allow the bushings to travel in a linear motion. While the wheel sections are compressed together, a plurality of tie bolts 86 and tie nuts can be installed on the wheel sections. Adequate torque can be applied to the tie bolts to ensure the wheel sections remain attached.
