The Design and Development of a Wheel Mounted Aircraft Tire Inflation Indicator.

A pressure gauge which employs a relatively new pressure measuring concept and which can be permanently attached to an aircraft wheel was developed. The environmental and reliability testing demonstrated the ability of the system to withstand the extreme shock and accelerations associated with aircraft wheels without loss in accuracy. The development contract was also concerned with adapting the inflation measuring system to the standard KC-135 wheel. This required the design of a separable housing which replaced the valve stem of the tubeless tire and accommodated the pressure gauge. For future applications, it is suggested the gauge housing be made integral with the wheel rim casting rather than attached as a separate part.