James F Delea

US Patent:

6641085, Nov 4, 2003

Filed:

Oct 4, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/265019

Inventors:

James F Delea - Doylestown PA
Larry R London - Lansdale PA
Harry W Hartman - Harleyville PA

Assignee:

Triumph Brands, Inc. - Wayne PA

International Classification:

B64C 2550

US Classification:

244 50, 244103 R, 74485

Abstract:

An apparatus for steering a nosewheel on an aircraft, or the like, while the aircraft is on the ground. The apparatus includes a steering shaft that engages a cluster of gears and transfers torque from a steering command to the gears. The steering shaft is rotatable from a centered position in response to steering torque. A centering mechanism imparts a counter-torque on the cluster of gears to restore the steering shaft to the centered position when steering torque is released. The gear cluster comprises two drive gears that accurately guide the steering shaft to the centered position under the influence of the centering mechanism. The gear cluster is configured to minimize and compensate for gear wear, permitting accurate and consistent centering of the main shaft each time a steering torque is released.