MAIN LANDING GEAR – MAIN COMPONENTS
SHOCK ABSORBER
The shock absorber is a gas/oil damper unit composed by a piston rod
sliding inside a cylinder. One end of the shock absorber is connected to the
shortening actuator, the other end is connected to the trailing arm which is a
structural element that maintains the MLG aligned longitudinally with the
helicopter axis.
The piston rod includes a separator piston that prevents mixing of the gas
with the oil and a variable orifice valve unit that controls the landing gear
damping and rebound action.
The variable orifice valve unit is composed by a spring loaded piston which,
under the oil pressure generated during landing, opens calibrated holes
through which the oil moves at a controlled flow rate.
The shortening actuator extends for MLG retraction and retracts for MLG
extension.
The shock absorber and the shortening actuator (SA) are joined together to
build up the shock absorber assembly