Amphibious Aircraft Floating Device and Landing Gear Coupling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Medium-sized and large landplanes are not suitable for operation on water due to excessive forces from waves and swells, which exceed load limits, and the conversion of landplanes into seaplanes is complex and costly, limiting their convertibility.

Innovation Solution

An aircraft design featuring a spring-mounted landing gear with a floating device that can be easily coupled to the landing gear, using a connecting device and distance setting mechanism to absorb forces and adjust the floating device's position for optimal hydrostatic lift and aerodynamic profile, allowing for efficient takeoff and landing on both water and land.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If floating bodies are adapted to convert landplanes into seaplanes, then water operation capability is improved, but device complexity and conversion cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater operation capabilityVSAvoidconversion complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The floating device is divided into separate modules that can be independently attached to each landing gear leg. Each module includes a float body and connection elements, allowing the conversion system to be assembled in a modular fashion rather than as a single complex structure. This segmentation simplifies the conversion process and reduces overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The landing gear structure serves dual purposes: it supports the aircraft on land and provides mounting points for the floating device for water operations. The connecting device is designed to interface with standard landing gear components, making the conversion applicable to various aircraft types without requiring custom structures for each platform.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If floating bodies are adapted to convert landplanes into seaplanes, then water operation capability is improved, but manufacturing and certification cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater operation capabilityVSAvoidconversion cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The floating device modules are pre-assembled with connection elements and mounting hardware before attachment to the aircraft. This preliminary preparation allows for standardized manufacturing processes and quality control, reducing both manufacturing complexity and certification requirements compared to custom-fitted conversions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The floating device modules are designed as relatively simple, lightweight structures that can be manufactured cost-effectively using standard materials and processes. The modular design allows for easier manufacturing and potential replacement compared to complex integrated conversions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Adaptability or versatility

If medium-sized and large landplanes are operated on water, then amphibious capability is improved, but structural loads from waves and swells exceed limit values

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveamphibious capabilityVSAvoidstructural load capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The floating device modules act as intermediaries between the water environment and the aircraft structure. They absorb and dissipate wave and swell forces through their buoyant characteristics and flexible mounting connections, preventing these forces from being directly transmitted to the aircraft's wings and engine mounts. This protective function allows larger aircraft to operate on water without exceeding their structural load limits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution enables cost-effective conversion of aircraft for amphibious operations, reducing structural loads and improving aerodynamics, thus facilitating safe and efficient takeoff and landing on water while maintaining land-based capabilities.

Implementation Method 1

The suspension of the landing gear can, for example, absorb the forces occurring during landing or take off. In particular, the suspension of the landing gear can absorb forces in the direction of the Z-axis (vertical axis).

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpring: Spring

Implementation Method 2

The floating device is configured such that the hydrostatic lifting force of the floating device is greater than the maximum take-off weight of the aircraft.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrostatic lift: Archimedes' Principle (Buoyancy)

Data Source

PatentUS11524779B2Aircraft for take off and landing on water and on land

Publication Date: 2022.12.13 DORNIER NO LIMITS ZWEI GMBH & CO KG

AI summary

The invention relates to an aircraft for takeoff and landing on water or on land. The aircraft comprises a fuselage and a spring-mounted landing gear. Landing gear wheels are mountable on the landing gear for takeoff and landing on land. Furthermore, the aircraft comprises a floating device coupleable to the landing gear of the aircraft via a connecting device. The floating device is configured such that the hydrostatic lifting force of the floating device is greater than the maximum takeoff weight of the aircraft.