A torque link damper is fitted on each MLG on A320 aircraft. The torque-link-damper is a spring-centered, two-way hydraulic unit, which has its own (pressurized) hydraulic reservoir.
Its function is to decrease the landing vibrations through the torque links.
The torque-link damper is on the bottom of the upper torque-link and operates through the apex bolt from the lower torque link.
Operation:- (refer figure)
When the piston (in the damper) which is connected to lower torque link through apex bolt moves away from its center position, it compresses one set of disk springs.
At the same time the poppet on the side of the compressed disk springs closes. The hydraulic fluid in the chamber transfers through the bores in the piston to the other end of the chamber.
The disk springs at this end of the chamber extend to fill the space. Because the movement of the hydraulic fluid is kept to a limit, it controls the damper rate of operation.
When the disk springs go back to their initial position the piston goes back to the center position.
If the quantity of hydraulic fluid is correct, the word FULL shows. If the quantity of hydraulic fluid in the damper is less than the sufficient quantity, the word REFILL shows.
Author – Sushanth Singh – B.1.1 Engineer