That has me thinking here, Pete. Is a gas strut really all that
desirable? Perhaps some technology at least a few hundred years old:
A 5/8" x maybe 6" long, partially slotted bracket, 1/16" steel.
The slot is 3/16", and it slips over a AN525 dash-10 screw thru the
fuselage rebate. At the end of its travel in the open position,
there's a half-moon shaped slot for the bracket to drop into (plus
couple bushings on the AN525 screw to keep the bracket centered).
To close the door, one would have to reach back and un-snag the
bracket, with then gravity assisting in closing, but no big deal.
In fact, I'll betcha on a breezy day, that would be easier than
pulling against both wind and gas strut. Probably would also want
a drawer pull on the lower door area to better control the door in
a breeze, with further benefit in ensuring both shoot bolts engage.
Even saves a few ounces a side. Is this just too "retro" to be
practical?
Regards,
Fred F.
Peter Zutrauen wrote:
> ...
> With the above in mind..... If I understand the problem correctly, the door
> flexes and creeps over time in the closed position because of the strut
> loading. Would it not be possible to modify the ball-joint (assumption) on
> the door attach to have some free play, and then mount a metal "ramp
> bracket" on the fuse rebate just above the ball-joint when the door is in
> the closed position? The theory would be that when the door is closed the
> last few inches the "ramp-bracket" would contact the strut-end ball-joint,
> compress the strut a couple of mm's and unload the door.
> ....
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