Patent ID: 9499280
Filing Date: 2016-11-22
CPC Classification: B64C,B64D

Claim Text:
1. A method using an air-ground detection system comprising a truck beam of a semi-levered landing gear mounted on a pivot point, a positioning mechanism connected to a semi-levered linkage assembly that secures an angle of the truck beam in a toes up position, the semi-levered linkage assembly configured to change from a secured, steady state to a locked state in response to initial ground contact, and the air-ground detection system further comprising a sensor connected to the semi-levered linkage assembly, the semi-levered linkage assembly comprising a compression spring and a tension spring, the method comprising: holding, using the compression spring, the semi-levered linkage assembly in a steady state while a tension load on the semi-levered linkage assembly is less than a pre-determined tension load value; holding, using the tension spring, the semi-levered linkage assembly in the steady state while a first compression load on the semi-levered linkage assembly is less than a pre-determined compression load value; permitting, using the tension spring, the semi-levered linkage assembly to fold closed while under a second compression load exceeding the pre-determined compression load value; and sensing, using the sensor, a change of the semi-levered linkage assembly from a steady state to a locked state based on a change in orientation of the tension spring.