Aircraft Landing Gear Position Sensor Using Magnetic Modulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing aircraft landing gear systems, particularly those for nose wheels, face issues with mechanical wear, dirt and ice ingress, and are heavy and large, making them prone to mechanical failures and requiring complex mechanical actuation for zeroing, which can be cumbersome and unreliable.

Innovation Solution

A magnetic field-based sensor system that uses a magnetic field generator and modulator on separate landing gear portions to determine the rotational position without mechanical contact, allowing for contactless measurement and simplifying the zeroing process by using electromagnetic induction and modulated magnetic fields.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a mechanical, gear, pulley or link-rod based system is used to determine steering angle, then measurement can be obtained, but the system is prone to wear, heavy and large

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesteering angle measurementVSAvoidmechanical wear and dirt/ice ingress

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical measurement system (gears, pulleys, link-rods) with a magnetic field-based sensor system. The sensor includes a magnetic field generator and magnetic field modulator that operate without mechanical contact, using electromagnetic induction to detect rotational position. This eliminates mechanical wear, dirt ingress, and ice accumulation problems while maintaining steering angle measurement capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a magnetic field as an intermediary between the rotating landing gear portion and the sensor. The magnetic field generator creates a magnetic field that is modulated by the rotation of the landing gear portion, allowing contactless transmission of positional information. This intermediary field enables measurement without direct mechanical contact between moving and stationary components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If mechanical gearing is biased into one another to prevent backlash, then measurement accuracy improves, but the system becomes more complex and prone to wear

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesteering angle measurement accuracyVSAvoidmechanical gearing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates the need for biased mechanical gears by replacing the entire mechanical transmission system with a magnetic field-based sensing system. The magnetic field generator and modulator directly sense rotational position through electromagnetic induction without requiring mechanical gear trains, thereby reducing complexity and eliminating backlash-related complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If a zeroing actuator is used to center the landing gear, then centering capability is achieved, but the system requires additional mechanical actuators which increase complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelanding gear centeringVSAvoidmechanical actuator system

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical zeroing actuators with an electromagnetic control system. The magnetic field sensor provides precise feedback on rotational position, enabling electronic control of the landing gear centering process. This eliminates the need for additional mechanical zeroing actuators while maintaining or improving centering capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

This solution provides a reliable, lightweight, and efficient method for determining the rotational position of aircraft landing gear, reducing mechanical wear and complexity, while allowing for accurate steering angle monitoring and easy centering of the landing gear.

Implementation Method 1

the first magnetic field generator and the first magnetic field modulator use electromagnetic induction there need be no mechanical contact between the generator and modulator

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP2855262B1Aircraft landing gear arrangement, an aircraft comprising the same and a method of determining the angular position of an aircraft wheel

Publication Date: 2018.08.29 AIRBUS OPERATIONS LTD

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AI summary

An aircraft landing gear arrangement is provided comprising: • a first landing gear portion (2) comprising one or more wheels, • a second landing gear portion (3), the first landing gear portion being rotatable with respect to the second landing gear portion; and • a sensor for determining a rotational position of the first landing gear portion in relation to the second landing gear portion, • the sensor comprising a first magnetic field generator (5) operable to generate a magnetic field and a first magnetic field modulator (7) for modulating said magnetic field, • the sensor being operable to sense the magnetic field as modulated by the first magnetic field modulator (7), • the first landing portion (2) comprising the first magnetic field generator (5) or the first magnetic field modulator (7), • the second landing gear portion (3) comprising the other the first magnetic field generator (5) and the first magnetic field modulator (7).