SHOCK STRUT WITH PRESSURE RELIEF

摘要

A shock strut (11) includes a relief device (70) that reduces the internal pressure within a sealed chamber (42) of the shock strut when a load condition that exceeds a maximum operating load condition is encountered. The reduced pressure permits a telescopically moving piston (30) of the shock strut (11) to be received into a corresponding cylinder (32) to an amount that increases the structural capability of the shock strut (11), especially with respect to applied side loads that generate bending and shearing stresses in the shock strut (11). In one embodiment, the reduced pressure permits the piston to "bottom out" relative to the cylinder (32), which is a condition not otherwise achievable without the relief device. This additional stroke achievable by the piston (30) reduces or eliminates the need to reinforce and thus add weight to the shock strut because of higher load condition design requirements.