Mailing List lml@lancaironline.net Message #63592
From: Frederick Moreno <frederickmoreno@bigpond.com>
Sender: <marv@lancaironline.net>
Subject: Fw: [LML] IV maingear lock down pin spring
Date: Fri, 21 Dec 2012 07:47:44 -0500
To: <lml@lancaironline.net>
Adding more cone washers (called Bellville washers, probably from the name of original patent holder long ago) to a stack of such washers lengthens the stack but lowers the spring constant, that is, the rate at which force builds with motion.  The force versus distance curve has a lower slope.
 
However, In a fixed length location, the additional springs also take up more space, so all the spring washers are compressed more than previously.   This results in a higher spring force when the larger number of springs are pushed into the same space.
 
The individual cone washers have a non-linear force versus displacement curve.  To know what the old force was and what the new force will be with the new washers added requires a technical catalog showing the force versus displacement curve for this particular spring washer.   With that and the dimensions of the spring stack and the length of the stack when the pin is extended one can easily calculate the force before and after.  I guess one has to ask Lancair what the length is for the spring stack shown in the drawing with pin extended.  Then the analysis can be completed.
 
I suspect it is difficult to come up with a coil spring that fits in the same space that exerts the desired force.  Spring washers are a good solution to this problem. Perhaps more important is the slope of the angled tip of the pin.  I suspect that this has a greater impact on ability to push the  spring back than modest changes in spring force.  And then there is the question of the hardness of the pin and the shaft against which it is resting.  Lots to consider.
 
Fred Moreno
 
 
 
 
-------Original Message-------
 
From: k k
Date: 21/12/2012 2:11:40 AM
Subject: [LML] IV maingear lock down pin spring
 

 Hello all,
 
Sometime ago, I watched with surprise 2 separate videos each showing Lancair 4 main landing gear collapse during Taxiing,
Well, I tested mine and with a force of about 50 Lbs pushing backwards on a down locked gear, I was able to dislodge it and unlock the gear. Due to the design angle of the main gear leg, it is difficult to exert a backward force, since the weight of the airplane exerts a force to extend the gear further, With the exception of a rock or small pothole on the runway, the only other situation I can imagine which exerts a backward force on the main gear is Breaking while taxiing.
As all of us probably aware of the lock down pin in the hydraulic cylinder which is pushed down by a spring to engage it in a groove inorder to lock the gear in the down position.
the spring is a series washers type stacked against each other in alternating up and down position (6 pairs = total of 12 washers).
they are sold at McMaster part # 9712k58 with a working load of 110 lbs and a flat load of 175 lbs.
I contacted Lancair and they said they changed the number of washers to improve the spring to a total of 14 ( 7 pair) and they emailed me the drawing which I am attaching in a PDF, however Lancair did not test it against significant loads.
I have 2 questions, first, how far down the groove should the lock down pin travel to secure a down lock position and maybe a mark on the pin above the piston retainer should be placed and checked every annual or so.
The second, and probably will be subject of more discussion is, what is the optimum number of washers in the spring? what is the minimum load it should exert? there is also an offline comments regarding replacing it with a spiral type spring, well these are questions for the techs and engineers in the group!
 
Kamal
IVP 1104T
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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