Ted,
This would very much be of interest - please do post the pictures.
Is this a mod you'd be willing to share with the greater Europa community -
given PFA approval? I, for one, would be interested in a solution that
avoided the door-bending problem.
Regards,
Jeremy
Jeremy Davey
Europa XS Monowheel 537M G-EZZA
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com
[mailto:owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of Edward
Gladstone
<Ted_Gladstone@compuserve.com>
>
>Some time ago on the forum a member came up with a good idea for improving
the door strut operation.
> I seem to remember it involved the gas strut operating a pair of hinged
aluminium angle legs - - - - - - -
>
>
I think ours is the gas strut mechanism to which you are referring.
All Europa aircraft have doors which progressively bend up over time at the
rear due to the constant force of the door gas strut mechanism.
Our doors fit perfectly and we do not want that fit to deteriorate. With
the standard strut mechanism It is also difficult to ensure that the rear
shoot bolt is
correctly engaged, due to the twisting force exerted on the door by the gas
strut.
This modification changes the way in which the Europa provided gas strut
holds the door open. The gas strut is enclosed within a pair of hinged
aluminium levers as you describe.
We have made a prototype and the result is most satisfactory. The door is
opened and no immediate opening effect is felt until the door is about
twelve inches out. The strut then gently and progressively takes over to
produce a slow and even opening speed until it reaches the stop at the top.
Advantages:-
1. The lever pivot point on the door is moved further away form the
hinge line. Thus lower forces are involved in holding the door open.
2. The line of force exerted by the lever is almost in the same plane
as the centre of gravity of the door.
3. The gas strut is totally contained within the folding levers and
exerts NO FORCE IN ANY DIRECTION on the door or fuselage when the
door is in the closed position. The forces that
distort other Europa doors are completely removed.
4. The force that the levers exert on the door increases progressively
---From zero, when the door is closed, to a maximum when the door is fully
open.
5. The levers are designed to reach their fully open position at about
160 degrees and are held in this position by the force in the gas strut.
As a result there is no necessity to unlatch the
levers to close the door.
We are in the process of completing the paperwork for an application to the
PFA for mod approval.
If it is of any interest we can post some pictures on the Photo Share site.
Ted & Justin
G-ZTED
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