Figure 5-14.—Nose-ear-launch shock absorber assembly.
of metering holes in the orifice tubes is progressively
reduced, causing an increasing resistance to forward
motion of the slide assembly, thus decelerating and
bringing the aircraft to a smooth stop at the end of
the buffing stroke.
During the buffing stroke, fluid in front of the
center-cylinder piston is forced through a port in the
cylinder and through the hydraulic line into the
NGL valve-manifold accumulator, which acts as a
cushion and fluid reservoir. After launch, the fluid
pressure established by the valve-manifold reducing
valve acting on the forward side of the center
cydinder forces the center piston aft, thus retracting
the three rods into the cydinders.
NOSE-GEAR-LAUNCH SHOCK
ABSORBER ASSEMBLY
The NGL shock absorber assembly (fig. 5-14) is
mounted horizontally at the forward end of the
NGL assembly. During the catapult retract cycle,
the shock absorber provides uniform deceleration of
the shuttle to bring it to a smooth, soft stop,
eliminating impact forces that could cause damage
to the grab assembly or the NGL assembly. The
shock absorber is a self-contained, sealed unit and
requires no maintenance or adjustments.
NOSE-GEAR-LAUNCH VALVE MANIFOLD
The NGL valve manifold (fig. 5-15) located
below deck, consists of a support structure, two
Figure 5-15.—Nose-gear-launch valve manifold.
5-15
