Energy-Absorbing Landing Gear With Deformable Load Limiter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing landing gear systems for vertical landing aircraft are inadequate in absorbing excess energy during hard landings, leading to potential damage and lack of visual indication of such events, which can result in undetected operational risks.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an energy absorbing landing gear system comprising a linear damper assembly and a load limiter assembly with deformable elements, which absorbs kinetic energy and provides a visual indicator of excessive load through irreversible deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If known landing gear systems (oil-gas dampers) are used, then the system is simple and easy to manufacture, but the energy absorption capability during hard landings is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The landing gear system is divided into two distinct functional components: a linear damper assembly for normal landing operations and a load limiter assembly with deformable elements for hard landing protection. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall system simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The load limiter assembly with deformable elements is pre-configured to engage before critical loads can damage the aircraft structure. The deformable elements are designed to yield at predetermined load thresholds, providing beforehand protection against excessive forces during hard landings.
2Loss of information
If known landing gear systems are used, then the system is easy to operate, but there is no visual indication of hard landing incidents
Solution Approach 1:
The deformable elements in the load limiter assembly are designed to undergo visible deformation or color change when subjected to hard landing loads. This visual indication mechanism allows operators to immediately identify hard landing incidents without complex sensors or electronic systems, maintaining ease of operation while eliminating information loss.
3Productivity
If the aircraft continues operation after hard landing, then productivity is maintained, but undetected damage poses harmful risks
Solution Approach 1:
The visual indication provided by the deformed elements creates immediate feedback about hard landing events. This feedback mechanism allows operators to make informed decisions about aircraft continued operation, preventing harmful risks from undetected damage while minimizing unnecessary grounding that would affect productivity.
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
Enhances energy absorption capability during landings, reduces the risk of aircraft damage, and provides a clear visual indication of hard landings, enabling timely inspection and maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
a piston assembly of the linear damper assembly moves a first compression distance toward the load limiter assembly
Implementation Method 2
the at least one deformable element deforms
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided an energy absorbing landing gear system for attachment to a vertical landing apparatus. The energy absorbing landing gear system includes a linear damper assembly, and a load limiter assembly coupled to the linear damper assembly, the load limiter assembly having at least one deformable element to enhance an energy absorption capability. When the energy absorbing landing gear system is attached to the vertical landing apparatus, during a landing phase, the linear damper assembly contacts a landing surface, and a piston assembly of the linear damper assembly moves a first compression distance toward the load limiter assembly, and when the linear damper assembly reaches a maximum compression, the linear damper assembly moves a second compression distance into the load limiter assembly, and the at least one deformable element deforms.