Lightweight Helicopter Skid Shoes

Abstract

A lightweight skid shoe assembly comprises a body of wear resistant, non-metallic or partially metallic material; and a structure coupling mechanism; wherein the body prevents friction-related damage to the structure. Another lightweight skid shoe assembly comprises a body of wear resistant, non-metallic or partially metallic material selected from the group consisting of: a polyamide or polyimide impregnated carbon fiber layup, a peek or PEI injection mold with carbon fiber, compression molded carbon fiber or fiberglass, a resin infusion with carbon fiber preform fabric, a fiber reinforced thermoset, acetal resin, machined acetal or thermoplastic, thermosetting plastic, or a metal-matrix composite; wherein the body prevents friction-related damage to a structure. Another lightweight skid shoe assembly comprises a body of wear resistant, non-metallic or partially metallic material; and a shear-bearing mechanism; wherein the shear-bearing mechanism directs shear forces away from the body; and wherein the body prevents friction-related damage to the structure.

1 . A lightweight skid shoe assembly, comprising:
 a body having one or more layers of wear resistant, non-metallic or partially metallic material; and   a coupling mechanism for coupling the body to a structure;   wherein the body withstands shear forces when frictionally engaging a contact surface; and   wherein the body substantially prevents friction-related damage to a surface of the structure to which it is coupled.   
     
     
         2 . The lightweight skid shoe assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the material of at least one of the layers is selected from the group consisting of: a polyamide impregnated carbon fiber layup, a polyimide impregnated carbon fiber layup, a peek injection mold with carbon fiber, a polyetherimide injection mold with carbon fiber, compression molded carbon fiber, compression molded fiberglass, a resin infusion with carbon fiber preform fabric, a fiber reinforced thermoset, acetal resin, machined acetal, machined thermoplastic, thermosetting plastic, or a metal-matrix composite. 
     
     
         3 . The lightweight skid shoe assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the coupling mechanism comprises apertures in the body for receiving coupling hardware. 
     
     
         4 . The lightweight skid shoe assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the coupling mechanism comprises coupling bolts. 
     
     
         5 . The lightweight skid shoe assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the coupling mechanism comprises coupling straps. 
     
     
         6 . The lightweight skid shoe assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a shear-bearing mechanism operable to direct a portion of the shear forces away from the body when the body frictionally engages the contact surface.   
     
     
         7 . The lightweight skid shoe assembly of  claim 6 :
 wherein the shear-bearing mechanism comprises a retainer having an opening; and   wherein the body is disposed within the retainer.   
     
     
         8 . The lightweight skid shoe assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the depth of the opening is less than the thickness of the body. 
     
     
         9 . The lightweight skid shoe assembly of  claim 7 , wherein a portion of the body extends through the opening. 
     
     
         10 . The lightweight skid shoe assembly of  claim 6 :
 wherein the shear-bearing mechanism comprises a recess in the structure; and wherein the body is disposed within the recess.   
     
     
         11 . The lightweight skid shoe assembly of  claim 10 , wherein a portion of the body extends beyond the recess. 
     
     
         12 . The lightweight skid shoe assembly of  claim 10 , wherein walls of the recess are operable to direct a portion of the shear forces away from the body when the body frictionally engages the contact surface. 
     
     
         13 . The lightweight skid shoe assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the body further comprises a wear indicator for determining when the body needs to be replaced. 
     
     
         14 . The lightweight skid shoe assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the body may be dispensed from a roll of body material. 
     
     
         15 . A lightweight skid shoe assembly, comprising:
 a body having one or more layers of wear resistant, non-metallic or partially metallic material selected from the group consisting of: a polyamide impregnated carbon fiber layup, a polyimide impregnated carbon fiber layup, a peek injection mold with carbon fiber, a polyetherimide injection mold with carbon fiber, compression molded carbon fiber, compression molded fiberglass, a resin infusion with carbon fiber preform fabric, a fiber reinforced thermoset, acetal resin, machined acetal, machined thermoplastic, thermosetting plastic, or a metal-matrix composite;   wherein the body substantially prevents friction-related damage to a surface of a structure to which it is coupled when the body frictionally engages a contact surface.   
     
     
         16 . The lightweight skid shoe assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the body further comprises a wear indicator for determining when the body needs to be replaced. 
     
     
         17 . The lightweight skid shoe assembly of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 a coupling mechanism for coupling the body to the structure.   
     
     
         18 . The lightweight skid shoe assembly of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 a retainer coupled to the structure;   wherein the body is disposed within the retainer; and   wherein the retainer is operable to direct a portion of shear forces away from the body when the body frictionally engages the contact surface.   
     
     
         19 . The lightweight skid shoe assembly of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 a recess within the structure;   wherein the body is disposed within the recess; and   wherein walls of the recess are operable to direct a portion of shear forces away from the body when the body frictionally engages the contact surface.   
     
     
         20 . A lightweight skid shoe assembly, comprising:
 a body having one or more layers of wear resistant, non-metallic or partially metallic material; and   a shear-bearing mechanism within which the body is disposed;   wherein the shear-bearing mechanism is operable to direct a portion of shear forces away from the body when the body frictionally engages a contact surface; and   wherein the body substantially prevents friction-related damage to a surface of the structure to which it is coupled.