Aircraft wheels are attached to the shock strut of an aircraft via axle. It supports the weight of the aircraft on ground, it provide the means by which an aircraft moves on the ground, it takes the impact of landing and it helps the aircraft to take off. Above functions are performed by the aircraft wheels because they are different from normal wheels. So here we will see how aircraft wheels are different.
Firstly,
aircraft wheels tyres are designed to take a lot of weight. Just think of the
massive aircraft, weighing tons of kilograms. An aircraft wheel tyre is
designed to take weight just like the tyres of truck are designed to take
weight, may be even more.
Secondly,
aircraft wheel tyres are designed for high speed just like the tyres of formula
one cars are designed for high speed. Just imagine the speed during takeoff and
landing. Perhaps aircraft wheel tyres are the only tyres that are designed for
both weight and speed.
Thirdly,
unless not available, aircraft wheel tyres are generally charged with nitrogen.
Why nitrogen? Nitrogen has a cooling effect and is believed to prolong the life
of the tyre. An aircraft wheel gets heated up due to immerse speed at which it
has to turn and also the immense weight it has to carry along with the impact
of landing.
Fourthly,
aircraft wheels have fusible plugs. Aircraft have fusible plugs that release
the hot air from the tyre when it gets extremely hot. Why we require a fusible
plug? It is because, in its absence, chances are the tyre will burst due to the
hot air, and also damage the structure of the aircraft surrounding the landing
gear.
Fifthly,
aircraft wheel tyres have circumferential grooves that prevent it from skidding,
since the tyre cut through the water and the trapped water escape through the
grooves.
Sixthly,
the aircraft wheels have brakes only on main landing wheels. Two types of
materials are used in making brakes. One is steel and the other is carbon. The
condition of the brake is known by the length of the brake wear pins. Longer the
pin better is the condition of the brake.
Seventhly,
the aircraft wheel tyres have to be charged to the designated pressure range.
Both over inflation and under inflation are dangerous. When the aircraft lands,
the first point of contact and impact are the wheel tyres. If the tyres are not
properly charged, chances are they may burst on landing or any other time
during ground manoeuvring.
So we see the wheels of aircraft are different because it has to do things that most normal wheel never have to do.
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