METHOD AND DEVICE FOR TOWING HELICOPTER PROVIDED WITH SKID-TYPE LANDING GEAR Russian patent published in 2006 - IPC B64F1/22 

FIELD: aviation; airfield equipment for towing helicopter provided with skid-type landing gear.

SUBSTANCE: towing the helicopter is carried out on one front and two rear two-wheeled trolleys by tow bar of front trolley; effort for motion of rear trolleys is transmitted from front trolley through skids of landing gear. Rear trolleys are rolled on different sides of rear part of skids by wheels. Each skid is caught by pins on either side by means of towing rods; pins are fitted in bushes of skid. Front trolley is positioned between front parts of skids which are connected by means of clamp fitted on hoist of trolley which is provided with technological attachment units for securing the skids. Skid-type landing gear is hoisted by means of this hoist to height at which helicopter is towed over ground of varying firmness. Loads between wheels of rear trolley are distributed by simultaneous lowering of one wheel on section of path at lesser firmness of ground due to hoisting of other wheel on section of path at firmer ground. Device proposed for towing the helicopter includes three two-wheeled trolleys. Tow rods of rear trolleys are made integral with side walls of support and are secured between wheels for deflection. Tow rods are provided with slots for catching the pins on both sides of skid by shifting. Wheel axles are mounted on double-arm levers; one end of each lever is connected with rod of hydraulic cylinder imparting turn to levers and other arm is used for hoisting the wheels. Steps provided over periphery of levers are engageable with wheel height retainers. Hoisting mechanism of rear trolleys include hand-operated hydraulic pump connected through T-piece with two hydraulic cylinders by means of pipe lines; rods of these cylinders are connected at one end with levers; mounted at other end are return springs for return of levers to initial position and handle. Hoisting mechanism of front trolley consists of hydraulic cylinder and lever provided with clamp and hand-operated hydraulic pump connected with hydraulic cylinder by means of pipe line; rod of this hydraulic cylinder is connected with center of lever at one end for making the clamp hoist; return spring for return of clamp to initial position is mounted on other end. Lever is provided with stop with clamp height retainer.

EFFECT: enhanced efficiency and reliability.

17 cl, 11 dwg