Crazycanuck Posted December 6, 2009 Share Posted December 6, 2009 Has anybody tried using pneumatic cylinders to actuate the front retractable gear and the speed brake? Intuitively is seems that it could be lighter because you could have a single motor that drives both. Anyway, I was just wondering if anybody has experimented with this. Quote Crazy Canuck Toronto, Ontario, Canada Cozy MKIV #MK1536 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Innova Posted December 6, 2009 Share Posted December 6, 2009 I considered this but altimately decided against it. Although I'm installing a hydraulic pump to activate the infinity retracts, ultimately I decided the electric nose retract was a simpler solution. It works, is pretty light, and doesn't require complicated hydraulic lines. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lynn Erickson Posted December 6, 2009 Share Posted December 6, 2009 Has anybody tried using pneumatic cylinders to actuate the front retractable gear and the speed brake? Intuitively is seems that it could be lighter because you could have a single motor that drives both. Anyway, I was just wondering if anybody has experimented with this.the electric has many more advantages than Hydraulic or pneumatic. first it is the same weight as a pump. the gear can be used to raise and lower the nose with the pilot in the seat. the current E racer hydraulic nose gear can not lift the nose so it would require a redesign and a much bigger cylinder. the electric has a built in over center in that the ball screw will only move when you run the motor. hydraulic cylinder would be as big and weigh the same as the electric unit. the pneumatic would be even bigger and heavier. hydraulic and pneumatic requires complicated controls and valves plus it needs a back up method to keep it in overcenter if the main system fails. the electric requires you to install just one switch Quote Evolultion Eze RG -a two place side by side-200 Knots on 200 HP. A&P / pilot for over 30 years Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TMann Posted December 6, 2009 Share Posted December 6, 2009 I considered this but altimately decided against it. Although I'm installing a hydraulic pump to activate the infinity retracts, ultimately I decided the electric nose retract ..... Same here. I know Phil Johnson has a Hydraulic nose cylinder but know little else about his installation.The eRacer and Berkut had designs for a Hydraulic nose lift using an overcenter design but neither could lift it with the pilot aboard. I liked the job Jack did with the EZ-Noselift so that's what I decided on. Quote T Mann - Loooong-EZ/20B Infinity R/G Chpts 18 Velocity/RG N951TM Mann's Airplane Factory We add rocket's to everything! 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. 9, 10, 14, 19, 20 Done Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
airwrench Posted December 6, 2009 Share Posted December 6, 2009 pneumatics not a good choice. Reliability poor in cold weather. Blow an internal O ring on one of these cylinders and you will be screaming Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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