During operation, (see view A, fig. 5-15) as the
aircraft moves forward, the launch bar, sliding in the
track-guide grooves, contacts the buffer- hook-
actuator-assembly roller, forcing it to rotate forward
and down. When the buffer hook actuator is forced
down, its forces against the underside of the buffer hook
and raises the hook into position to engage the aircraft
holdback bar. As the aircraft continues forward, the
holdback bar engages the buffer hook and pulls the
slide assembly forward. The slide assembly, connected
to the buffer cylinder piston rods, pulls the three rods
from the buffer cylinder assembly. Hydraulic resistance
within the buffer cylinder assembly decelerates the
aircraft. When the aircraft stops, it is in position for
catapult shuttle hookup.
After launch, the piston rods are retracted into the
buffer cylinder assembly automatically. As the slide
assembly moves aft, the buffer hook assembly contacts
the reset assembly slider (see view B, fig. 5-15),
causing the actuator lever to rotate down. This action
permits the buffer hook to drop below deck level
through an opening in the track into the deck housing.
The slide assembly is now ready for the next aircraft
hookup.
Reset Assembly
The reset assembly (fig. 5-16), which resets the
buffer hook, causing it to drop below deck at the end of
the buffer-cylinder-assembly retract stroke, is located
below the slide assembly in the deck housing. The reset
assembly consists of a housing, slider, slider actuating
spring, and retainer. The slider contains a stellite
surface that reduces wear due to contact with the buffer
hook actuator lever. Grooves machined in the top of the
slider provide a path for the flow of lubricant between
the slider and the inner walls of the housing. The
housing is chrome-plated to prevent corrosion. The
actuating spring is housed in a hole in the bottom of the
slider. The slider and spring are secured in the housing
by means of the retainer.
During operation when the slide assembly is
forward, the reset-assembly slider is not restrained by
the actuator assembly but is held above the surface of
the housing by the slider actuating spring. After launch,
as the slide assembly retracts, the buffer hook actuator
contacts the extended reset slider, causing the actuator
assembly to rotate downward. This action permit the
buffer hook to drop below the deck through the track
opening into the deck housing cavity (see view B, fig.
5-15). When the buffer hook is below deck, the actuator
assembly lever holds the reset-assembly slider down in
the reset assembly housing.
Forward and Aft Slide-Access Tracks
The slide-access tracks retain the slide assembly in
the housing. They also serve to guide the aircraft launch
bar to ensure proper engagement with the catapult
shuttle spreader. Inner and outer guide wheel bars are
attached to the aft and forward slide-access track to
keep the aircraft nosewheel straight during forward
movement of the aircraft. Inserts installed in the
forward slide-access tracks provide a camming surface,
which ensure that the launch bar contacts the buffer
hook actuator roller.
5-17
LUBE FITTING
HOUSING
SLIDER
ACTUATING
SPRING
RETAINER
SLIDER
RETAINER
LUBE
FITTING
HOUSING
VIEW A
ABEF0516
Figure 5-16.—Reset assembly.
