Appeal 2007-0388
Application 10/337,459
the Appeal Brief (filed April 13, 2006) and Reply Brief (filed December 21,
2005).
THE REFERENCES
Stanton discloses a safety device 38 for aircraft wheels that will vent
inflation pressure in the tire at whatever temperature is desired depending on
the strength characteristics of the tire (Stanton, col. 1, ll. 67-70). The device
includes a packing of fuse material 42 within a tapered through passage 40
of a stem 30 installed within stepped passages 28, 29 of the rim 22 of the
aircraft wheel, the fuse material selected to melt at a predetermined
temperature and be blown out of the through passage 40 to vent the
pneumatic pressure within the tire, thereby relieving pressure on the tire so it
will not explode (Stanton, col. 2, ll. 39-72). Stanton intends the device to
provide a slight time delay at the critical temperature before the fuse will
function so the aircraft can taxi (Stanton, col. 1, l. 70 to col. 2, l. 1).
Stanton's aircraft wheel 10 has a brake cavity 13 in which a brake 15
comprising a plurality of interleaved rotors 16 and stators 18 is disposed
(Stanton, col. 2, ll. 27-31). A heat shield 24 is located between the wheel
rim 22 and brake 15 to reflect at least some of the braking heat away from
the tire 26 (Stanton, col. 2, ll. 32-35). The stepped passages 28, 29 housing
the fuse material and stem are formed in the wheel structure
"[a]pproximately midway between the sides of the wheel" (Stanton, col. 2,
ll. 41-43).
Stanton's stem 30 is provided with a Phillips head 32 that is tapered
and fits flush against a companion tapered surface 34 of passage 28 "to
3
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