Dynamic bearing

Abstract

A dynamic bearing for an aircraft landing gear. The bearing includes a lug; a shaft having a first material; and a bearing surface having a second material that is softer than the first material. The bearing surface defines a bore and is arranged to support the shaft when the shaft is movably housed within the bore in use. The bearing surface is defined by the lug or a coating applied to the lug.

1 . A dynamic bearing for an aircraft landing gear, the dynamic bearing comprising:
 a lug;   a shaft comprising a first material;   a bearing surface comprising a second material that is softer than the first material, the bearing surface defining a bore and being arranged to support the shaft when the shaft is movably housed within the bore in use,   wherein the bearing surface is defined by the lug or by a coating applied to the lug.   
     
     
         2 . A dynamic bearing according to  claim 1 , wherein the shaft includes one or more first ducts which open onto a major surface thereof and are arranged for the passage of lubricant. 
     
     
         3 . A dynamic bearing according to  claim 2 , wherein one or more of the first ducts are arranged to extend so as to be generally parallel with respect to the dominant stress in the shaft. 
     
     
         4 . A dynamic bearing according to  claim 2 , wherein one or more of the first ducts are arranged to extend lengthwise at an angle of up to 45° with respect to a longitudinal axis of the shaft. 
     
     
         5 . A dynamic bearing according to  claim 2 , wherein the first ducts are disposed in a generally parallel arrangement around the peripheral surface of the shaft. 
     
     
         6 . A dynamic bearing according to  claim 2 , wherein the shaft in use has a loaded surface portion carrying tension stress substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the shaft, and an unloaded surface portion carrying compression stress substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shaft, and the first ducts are provided in side portions between the centres of the loaded and unloaded surface portions. 
     
     
         7 . A dynamic bearing according to  claim 1 , wherein the bearing surface includes one or more second ducts for the passage of lubricant. 
     
     
         8 . A dynamic bearing according to  claim 8 , wherein one or more of the second ducts are arranged to extend so as to be generally parallel with respect to the dominant stress in the lug. 
     
     
         9 . A dynamic bearing according to  claim 7 , wherein one or more of the second ducts extend lengthwise in a non-parallel direction with respect to an axis of the bore defined by the bearing surface. 
     
     
         10 . A dynamic bearing according to  claim 7 , wherein one or more of the second ducts extend depth-wise into the lug through the coating. 
     
     
         11 . A dynamic bearing according to  claim 2 , wherein the first ducts are open topped ducts. 
     
     
         12 . A dynamic bearing according to  claim 1 , wherein the coating has a thickness of at least 0.05 mm. 
     
     
         13 . A dynamic bearing according to  claim 1 , wherein portions of the lug and/or coating defining extremities of the bore are tapered to spread edge loading. 
     
     
         14 . A dynamic bearing according to  claim 1 , wherein the second material comprises a self lubricating material. 
     
     
         15 . A dynamic bearing according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and/or second material comprises metal. 
     
     
         16 . A dynamic bearing according to  claim 2 , wherein the ducts are lubricant ducts for the distribution of lubricant. 
     
     
         17 . A dynamic bearing according to  claim 1 , wherein the lug is formed in a first landing gear component and the shaft operatively connects the first landing gear component to a second landing gear component. 
     
     
         18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . A dynamic bearing according to  claim 7 , wherein the second ducts are open topped ducts. 
     
     
         20 . A dynamic bearing according to  claim 2 , wherein the bearing surface includes one or more second ducts for the passage of lubricant. 
     
     
         21 . A dynamic bearing according to  claim 16 , wherein the lubricant ducts are coupled to a source of lubricant. 
     
     
         22 . A dynamic bearing according to  claim 7 , wherein the ducts are lubricant ducts for the distribution of lubricant. 
     
     
         23 . A dynamic bearing according to  claim 22 , wherein the lubricant ducts are coupled to a source of lubricant. 
     
     
         24 . An aircraft having a landing gear comprising a dynamic bearing comprising:
 a lug;   a shaft comprising a first material;   a bearing surface comprising a second material that is softer than the first material, the bearing surface defining a bore and being arranged to support the shaft when the shaft is movably housed within the bore in use,   wherein the bearing surface is defined by a coating applied to the lug.