Dimensional Restoration of Landing Gear Component Bores

When the inner diameter (ID) of a landing gear aluminum outer cylinder is damaged or worn there is very little that can be done to repair ID of the cylinder.  Consequently, the outer cylinder has to be condemned and taken out of service.  The main cause for condemnations of aluminum outer cylinders is that the ID of the cylinders is over sized due to wear and the re-anodization process.  A coating repair which builds up thickness and can be ground/machined to size, similar to chrome plating applications, for aluminum cylinder IDs would be a great value to the United States Air Force. Rotary Plasma and Cold Spray processes have the potential of restoring outer cylinders to original dimensions.  Restorational coatings have the same corrosion resistance properties as the base aluminum material, and can handle high bending loads without spalling off.  The Rotary Plasma and Cold Spray processes also have the capability of applying an aluminum/silicon material which will increase the wear resistance and thus increasing the standard service life of the component.  These coatings can be machined, anodized and honed to bring the outer cylinder back to serviceable condition. BENEFITS: Research conducted to develop Rotary Plasma or Cold Spray coatings, which can restore IDs of worn or damaged land gear aluminum outer cylinders, focuses on military applications; however, benefits will be similar for all commercial & military landing gear that need IDs restored to original dimensions. ES3 expects the following benefits from Rotary Plasma or Cold Spray systems restoring the Inner Dimension of landing gear outer cylinders based on both industry and in-house research: Outer cylinders with worn or damaged IDs can be restored to serviceable condition Increased supportability of aluminum landing gear parts for USAF and commercial industry Reduction in ownership cost for the USAF and commercial industry Processes could be used to repair other aircraft parts including hydraulics and ferrous components