Closure Technique for Large Bearings on Aircraft Wheels

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Closure Technique for Large Bearings on Aircraft Wheels

Aircraft wheels incorporating large bearings (10 inches diameter and larger) have been subject to problems relating to grease retention. The project included inspecting a number of F-4C aircraft wheels during overhaul at MacDill Air Force Base. Tests of various designs of seals were then conducted at Aviation Electric Limited to determine if a satisfactory method of sealing such bearings could be developed. As a result of the investigation, it was concluded that the failure of F-4C wheel bearings was due to loss of grease. Tests indicated that several orders of magnitude improvement in bearing seals could be realized. One design is directly interchangeable with existing seals and two designs require some wheel modification; however, these designs could be incorporated in new wheels with very little difficulty. (Author)