Landing Gear Control Timing for Automatic Take-Off Retraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current aircraft landing gear systems require manual pilot intervention for retraction and extension, leading to delays and increased workload during take-off and landing, which can result in increased drag, noise, and risk of damage due to prolonged exposure.
Innovation Solution
A landing gear system controller that automatically initiates retraction during take-off and extension during landing based on predetermined conditions and requests from non-landing gear system elements, such as main control surfaces, using a processor to determine the optimal timing for these operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual pilot intervention is used for landing gear retraction and extension, then the pilot maintains control over the operation timing, but the operational delay and workload increase
Solution Approach 1:
The controller is configured to automatically initiate landing gear retraction during take-off and extension during landing based on predetermined conditions and requests from non-landing gear system elements, performing the gear operation preparation and execution automatically without waiting for manual pilot input, thus reducing operational delay and workload
Solution Approach 2:
The landing gear system uses requests from other aircraft systems (such as main control surface operations) to automatically trigger gear retraction or extension, allowing the gear system to service itself based on aircraft operational context rather than requiring dedicated manual pilot commands
2Reliability
If landing gear remains extended during flight, then the aircraft has better readiness for immediate landing, but drag and noise increase
Solution Approach 1:
The controller automatically initiates landing gear retraction during take-off based on predetermined conditions (such as positive rate of climb, altitude, or speed thresholds) before the aircraft needs to be ready for immediate landing, thus reducing drag and noise during cruise while maintaining the ability to quickly extend the gear when needed
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts landing gear position based on real-time aircraft operational status by monitoring requests from other systems and current flight conditions, transitioning from extended to retracted position during flight phases where drag reduction is beneficial, and vice versa when landing readiness is required
3Object-generated harmful factors
If landing gear is retracted early during take-off, then drag and noise are reduced, but the risk of damage increases due to premature retraction
Solution Approach 1:
The controller is configured to automatically initiate gear retraction only after predetermined conditions are met (such as achieving positive rate of climb, reaching minimum safe altitude, or confirming stable flight parameters), ensuring the aircraft is in a safe state before gear retraction begins, thus reducing drag while preventing premature operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors aircraft operational parameters (altitude, rate of climb, speed, flight stability) and uses this feedback to determine the appropriate timing for gear retraction, ensuring that retraction is initiated only when flight conditions indicate it is safe to do so, thereby balancing drag reduction with operational safety
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is a landing gear system controller for controlling a landing gear system of an aircraft. The controller is configured to receive a request to operate a non-landing gear system element of the aircraft, and to cause operation of at least part of the landing gear system of the aircraft during a take-off or landing procedure on the basis of the request.