Deployable Landing Gear for High-Altitude Balloon Descent
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Solution Overview
Problem
Standard landing systems fail to effectively absorb energy when landing velocity has a significant horizontal component, as they are designed primarily for vertical energy absorption.
Innovation Solution
A deployable landing gear system featuring a strut with a compressible material and swing arms that deploy to absorb both vertical and horizontal forces, using a compression spring and pyro-cutter for deployment, and a landing ski for horizontal energy dissipation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If crushable cardboard is used for landing, then vertical energy absorption is sufficient, but horizontal energy absorption fails
Solution Approach 1:
The landing gear is divided into multiple independent legs, each capable of absorbing energy in different directions. Each leg includes a strut for vertical compression and swing arms for horizontal movement, allowing the system to handle both vertical and horizontal energy components separately and effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The landing gear employs dynamic components including swing arms that can rotate about vertical axes and struts that compress vertically. This dynamic configuration allows the structure to adapt to the direction and magnitude of impact forces, effectively absorbing both vertical landing energy and horizontal skidding energy through controlled movement rather than rigid resistance.
2Reliability
If deployable landing gear with multiple components is used, then both vertical and horizontal energy absorption is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each landing gear leg serves multiple functions: the strut absorbs vertical compression forces, the swing arms handle horizontal skidding forces, and the entire assembly can be deployed or retracted as needed. This multi-functionality is achieved within a relatively simple modular structure where each component has a clear, dedicated role, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining comprehensive energy absorption capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The landing gear features a nested configuration where the inner cylinder is disposed within the outer cylinder, allowing the structure to compact efficiently during retraction. This nesting arrangement reduces the overall footprint and simplifies storage while maintaining the full functionality of both vertical and horizontal energy absorption components when deployed.
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 system effectively reduces loads on the payload and flight vehicle by absorbing both vertical and horizontal forces during landing, providing a lightweight and reusable solution for high-altitude descents.
Implementation Method 1
a compression spring positioned around the hollow outer cylinder between a first bracket fixed to the hollow outer cylinder and a second bracket slidably disposed over the hollow outer cylinder. In response to deployment of the at least one landing support assembly, the compression spring is configured to compress between the first bracket and the second bracket.
Implementation Method 2
The inner cylinder is configured to compress the compressible material in response to a vertical force acting on the at least one landing support assembly.
Implementation Method 3
The inner cylinder is configured to compress the compressible material in response to a vertical force acting on the at least one landing support assembly.
Implementation Method 4
The inner cylinder is slidably disposed within the hollow outer cylinder.
Data Source
AI summary
Deployable landing gear systems and related methods for vehicles descending from high altitude balloons. A deployable landing gear system may include a support assembly configured to deploy from an undeployed state to a deployed state. The landing support assembly may include a strut and two swing arms. The strut may include an outer cylinder, an inner cylinder, and a compression spring. The outer cylinder may have a compressible material positioned therein. The inner cylinder may be slidably disposed within the outer cylinder. The compression spring may be positioned around the outer cylinder between a fixed first bracket and a slidable second bracket. In response to deployment, the compression spring may compress between the first and second brackets and the inner cylinder may compress the compressible material. The two swing arms may share a common axis of rotation that is offset from the an axis of rotation of the strut.