Aircraft Landing Gear Emergency Extension via Distributed Actuator Delay
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing all-electric emergency extension systems for aircraft landing gear are costly and complex, relying on a centralized computer that increases the risk of failure and reduces reliability.
Innovation Solution
An emergency extension system that eliminates the centralized computer by using electromechanical actuators with identification and delay components, allowing for a sequential actuation sequence defined by actuation delays, thereby reducing costs and enhancing reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a centralized computer is used to control the all-electric emergency extension system, then the system can achieve automated control and coordination of multiple actuators, but the cost and device complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The centralized computer control function is segmented and distributed to individual electromechanical actuators. Each actuator contains its own identification component and delay component, enabling autonomous decision-making at the local level. This segmentation eliminates the need for a complex centralized computer while maintaining automated control through distributed intelligence.
Solution Approach 2:
Each electromechanical actuator is equipped with identification and delay components that enable it to autonomously determine its position in the actuation sequence without external control. The actuator independently delays its actuation based on its identifier, eliminating the need for centralized computer coordination and reducing system complexity.
2Ease of operation
If a centralized computer is used to control the emergency extension system, then coordinated actuation of multiple components can be achieved, but the reliability of the system decreases due to additional failure points
Solution Approach 1:
The control function is segmented from the actuators and distributed to each individual unit. Each actuator independently executes its function based on its own identification and delay components, eliminating the single point of failure represented by the centralized computer. This distributed architecture improves reliability while maintaining coordinated actuation through predefined delay sequences.
Solution Approach 2:
The centralized computer, which represents a potential failure point, is completely extracted from the system. The coordination function previously performed by the computer is replaced by simple delay components embedded in each actuator, removing the reliability risk while preserving the coordinated actuation capability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a centralized computer is used in the emergency extension system, then complex control logic can be implemented, but the cost of the system increases due to expensive computer equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The expensive centralized computer is replaced with inexpensive delay components embedded in each actuator. These simple, low-cost components provide sufficient control logic capability for the emergency extension function without the high cost associated with centralized computer equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
Each actuator independently executes control logic through its own delay component, eliminating the need for expensive centralized computer equipment. The distributed self-service approach provides adequate control capability while dramatically reducing system cost.
Data Source
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AI summary
Emergency extension system for at least one aircraft landing gear, the emergency extension system comprising electromechanical actuators, each electromechanical actuator having an identification component arranged to assign said electromechanical actuator an identifier which depends in particular on a function performed by said electromechanical actuator, and an electrical card (20) comprising a delay component arranged to delay an actuation of said electromechanical actuator by an actuation delay which depends on the identifier assigned to said electromechanical actuator, the electromechanical actuators of the emergency extension system being thus arranged to be actuated successively according to an actuation sequence defined by the actuation delays.