Electric Landing Gear Actuation With Flexible Pull Member
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aircraft landing gear actuation systems rely on hydraulic components, which are cumbersome and prone to failure modes that prevent emergency deployment, necessitating a hydraulic-free electric actuation system.
Innovation Solution
A landing gear actuation system utilizing a flexible pull member attached to a movable member, with an electro-mechanical motor to move the pull member, eliminating the need for hydraulic systems and enabling packaging flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hydraulic components are used for landing gear actuation, then sufficient force and control are achieved, but system complexity and failure modes increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the hydraulic system from the landing gear actuation mechanism, replacing it with an electric motor-driven flexible pull member system. This elimination of hydraulic components directly reduces failure modes and improves emergency deployment reliability while maintaining the necessary actuation functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the hydraulic mechanical system with an electric-mechanical system consisting of an electric motor, flexible pull member, and associated mechanical linkages. This replacement eliminates hydraulic fluids, pumps, and valves, thereby reducing system complexity and potential failure points while achieving the same landing gear actuation function.
2Adaptability or versatility
If hydraulic systems are used for landing gear actuation, then adequate power and control are provided, but space requirements and packaging flexibility are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
By removing the hydraulic system with its reservoirs, hoses, and actuators, the patent significantly reduces the volume occupied by the actuation system. This extraction enables more flexible packaging arrangements and frees up space within the aircraft structure for other components or optimized layout.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a flexible pull member (such as a belt or cable) instead of rigid hydraulic actuators. This flexible element can be routed through compact paths and stored in space-efficient configurations, greatly enhancing packaging flexibility while maintaining the necessary mechanical advantage for landing gear actuation.
3Ease of operation
If hydraulic components are used, then reliable force transmission is achieved, but weight and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes hydraulic components including pumps, valves, reservoirs, and associated piping from the landing gear actuation system. This extraction eliminates the need for hydraulic fluid management, pressure regulation, and leak prevention, thereby simplifying maintenance procedures and reducing the skill level required for system servicing.
Solution Approach 2:
The electric motor-driven flexible pull member system is inherently simpler and more self-contained than a hydraulic system. The electric motor provides direct drive capability, and the flexible pull member requires minimal maintenance beyond routine inspection, enabling easier operation and reduced maintenance overhead compared to complex hydraulic assemblies.
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 allows for efficient extension and retraction of landing gear without hydraulic fluids, reducing failure modes, improving space efficiency, and ensuring reliable emergency deployment.
Implementation Method 1
a spring configured to maintain tension in the flexible pull member
Implementation Method 2
the motor is an electro-mechanical motor
Implementation Method 3
a damper configured to maintain tension in the flexible pull member
Data Source
AI summary
The landing gear actuation system includes an attachment point integral to a movable member, a flexible pull member having a first end coupled to the attachment point, and a motor configured to move the flexible pull member, wherein the movement of the flexible pull member moves the attachment point and the movable member.