Welcome! Becoming a registered user of ShortWingPipers.Org is free and easy! Click the "Register" link found in the upper right hand corner of this screen. It's easy and you can then join the fun posting and learning about Short Wing Pipers!

Thanks Thanks:  0
Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 22

Thread: Sealed Struts Question

  1. #1
    kchansen's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2011
    Location
    Eastern Iowa
    Posts
    156
    Post Thanks / Like

    Question Sealed Struts Question

    Hi All,

    Took my airplane (PA-20) in for some radio work today and got a question from an on-looker that I didn't know the answer to! I've owned this Pacer since April.

    My airplane has the sealed struts installed (per the previous owner AND all logbooks/paperwork - it's all there), but my struts have these "raised bumps" along the surface of the strut. They look like rivets, but not - they blend in with the paint smoothly, etc. I have no clue what these are... anyone know? These are the Univair struts, according to all paperwork.

    Still learning.

    - Casey

  2. #2
    GeronimoDriver's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Location
    Juneau Alaska
    Posts
    231
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default Re: Sealed Struts Question

    They are welds, mine has them also. Not sure what they are there for though, never cut one open!

  3. #3
    kchansen's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2011
    Location
    Eastern Iowa
    Posts
    156
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default Re: Sealed Struts Question

    Thanks for the reply. I had read that they were welds of some sort and that they were supposed to be there, but couldn't find anything online to support that. Sounds like they are normal, though (based on what you've said and what I've found).

  4. #4

    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Location
    Langwarrin - Victoria, Australia
    Posts
    1,347
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default Re: Sealed Struts Question

    Casey - these are "rosette" welds that lock a reinforcing U channel down the centre of the strut. (With a rosette weld you drill a hole in the top cover and weld the bottom layer to the top as you fill in the hole - locks the two together. Used a lot in repairing and reinforcing tubing.)
    P.S. These are out of the rubbish bin - I didn't just take them off the aeroplane IMGP3879.jpgIMGP3881.jpg

  5. #5
    59pacer's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Location
    Mulgoa, Australia
    Posts
    495
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default Re: Sealed Struts Question

    The sealed strut has a piece of channel slipped inside to add to the strength (compressive, most probably). What you see are the rosette welds used to fix the channel in position within the streamline tube.

  6. #6
    59pacer's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Location
    Mulgoa, Australia
    Posts
    495
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default Re: Sealed Struts Question

    How's that for simultaneous replies? Looks like we Aussies are awake with nothing better to do. My excuse is a strapped up wrist--what's your's Curley?

  7. #7

    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Location
    Langwarrin - Victoria, Australia
    Posts
    1,347
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default Re: Sealed Struts Question

    Supposed to be clearing the back yard jungle of lions, tigers and assorted other critters - any excuse to get out of yard work!

  8. #8
    Troy Hamon's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Location
    PAKN
    Posts
    948
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default Re: Sealed Struts Question

    You learn something new every day. I've wondered about this myself, but now I know...

  9. #9

    Join Date
    May 2009
    Location
    Navarre, FL.
    Posts
    441
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default Re: Sealed Struts Question

    I had always assumed that the inner piece was a piece of tubing the OD if the minor id of the streamlined tube, but I guess I was wrong.
    The piece is added to stiffen the strut to reduce the possibility of bending and failing in negative g. the rear strut does not have this added since it has less compression loads negative than the main strut.
    You could say that this maked it stronger in compression (and it does) but mostly it helps control bending and misaliging the forces in compression and buckeling the strut..

    JDB.

  10. #10
    kchansen's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2011
    Location
    Eastern Iowa
    Posts
    156
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default Re: Sealed Struts Question

    Thanks for all the replies! Learning something new every day.... now I can explain these when people ask. The guy asking me wondered why I had holes in my sealed struts. :P

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •