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Aviation History
1928
1928 - 0213.PDF
MARCH 22, 1928 THE BENDIX AERO WHEELS AND BRAKES IT is a somewhat peculiar fact that the aeroplane, perhaps the vehicle which is of all the most in need of brakes, has not until quite recently been seriously and with any success provided with wheel brakes. Brakes of sorts have been fitted on a great many aeroplanes in the past. As long ago as 1913 or so, it was quite customary for certain makes of German aeroplanes to be equipped with sprags, the function of which was to dig into the ground, thus exerting a braking action. Needless to say, this form of brake was not popular with aerodrome proprietors ! Band brakes were also fitted, in this country, on several of the machines which took part in the Government competitions at Martlesham a few years after the war, but although several of them were quite effective, the fact that a too-sudden application would almost inevitably turn a machine on its nose was rather against them, and none came into general use. Of recent years the subject of brakes has been revived Not only so but wheel brakes for aircraft are without the slightest doubt come to stay. There is scarcely a type of The accompanying photographs show one of the Bendixdisc wheels fitted with the Bendix brake. It will be seen that the brake is of the expanding two-sector type, the operatingcam and lever being visible in the photographs. We under- stand that the firm supplies either the wheels by themselvesor the wheels complete with brakes. The brakes being self- energising, or " self-servo " mechanical brakes, if the expres-sion may be permitted, they reduce, or do away with, the tendency to nose over, and they are reported to be smoothin action and to release immediately the applied pressure is removed. Temporarily the firm has not, we understand, modifiedthe wheels to suit British tyre sizes, but as this is a com- paratively small modification, the following data shouldapply equally well to the modified wheels. Following are the weights of four standard size wheels,the first figure giving the size of wheel in inches, the second the brake diameter, also in inches, the third and fourth the weightof plain wheel and wheel with brake respectively : 30 x 5 ; AIRCRAFT BRAKES : Two views of a Bendix Aero Wheel and Brake. On the left, the brake sectors are shownremoved from the casing, and on the right, in place. Note the operating lever. landplane to which the fitting of effective brakes would not be an asset, and on some types they are becoming indis- pensable . The problem of brake design for aircraft use is by no means a. simple one, as those of our readers who have read Mr. G. H. Dowty's articles on the subject in our monthly technical supplement, THE AIRCRAFT ENGINEER will realise. There is, however, ample evidence in existence to show that the problem can be solved. The main requirements may be summed up as follows : Powerful braking action without the tendency to turn the machine on its nose, low weight, smooth action, simplicity to allow for easy renewal of wearing parts, and the possibility of using the two brakes either together or inde- pendently to enable a machine to be turned on the ground at speeds so low that the air rudder is ineffective. At the moment, there is not, as far as we are aware, any British aero wheel brake on the market, but aero wheels suitable for the fitting of brakes, and the brakes themselves, of American origin, can now be obtained from Bendix-Perrot Brakes, Ltd., of 16, Bennett's Hill, Birmingham. 12 ; 13 ; 22. 32 x 6 ; 12 : 21 ; 30. 36 x 8 ; 12 ; 22 ; 31. 44 x 10; 20; 36; 60. The 30 > 5 wheel has been found on test to withstand a radial load of 13.000 lb., and a side load of 4,000 lb. The 36 x 8 wheel withstands a radial load of 20,000 lb., and a side load of 6,150 1b. The torque reaction figures for five standard wheels are as follows : Tyre Size, (in.) 3032 3644 54 68 1012 Tyre Deflection (in.) 1 11 n 9 24 Capacity of Wheel. (lb.) 11,000 18,000 18,000 30,000 50,000 Aeroplane Weight. (lb.) 3,200 5,000 9,000 14,000 20,000 Torque Reaction. (mch-lb.) 12,300 20,300 40,250 77,000 135,000 The above values of torque reaction are based upon a braking effort of 0 -55 times the weight on one wheel. For further particulars application should be made to Bendix-Perrot Brakes, Ltd., at the address given above. Above thP R«r,W mittee has wasted no time in getting to work, and has already THE Scottish FlvinB Club informs us that in response found the means under the able and energetic chairmanship to the numerous requests for another dance before the of Mrs. H. W. Smith, of augmenting the club funds by some i-vj LIIC iiuiueiuub iequcsi.3 im «™i ..._ * „ arranged /60 The attendance of members at the aerodrome at close of the dancing season, the committee^ has arranged ^J^ ^iaUy at week-endS has been astonishing,and regardless of weather conditions, and it is significant of the ' " - - • • soon new members becomeg Others in the greatest free-masonry in the world-flying. 193
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