Landing Gear Static Sealing with Zinc-Nickel Coated Surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aircraft landing gear damping systems rely on chromium or nickel-coated substrates with gaskets for static sealing, which lack sufficient corrosion resistance and environmental safety, necessitating complex preparations and future legislative replacements.
Innovation Solution
Aircraft landing gear with static sealing points using a zinc and nickel alloy coating (12-18% nickel, ≤1.6 μm roughness) and an elastically deformable gasket, offering improved corrosion resistance and simplified manufacturing by combining multiple functions into a single coating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If chromium or nickel coatings are used for static sealing points, then sealing function is achieved, but corrosion resistance is insufficient and environmental safety is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical composition parameters of the coating by using a zinc-nickel alloy with specific nickel content (8-18% by mass) instead of pure chromium or nickel coatings. This parameter change provides both adequate sealing function and superior corrosion resistance while eliminating the environmental hazards associated with chromium coatings.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs a composite zinc-nickel alloy coating material that combines the beneficial properties of both zinc (excellent corrosion resistance) and nickel (good sealing properties). This composite material achieves a balance between sealing function and corrosion resistance without the environmental drawbacks of chromium-based coatings.
2Reliability
If multiple superimposed coatings are applied to guarantee satisfactory performance, then corrosion resistance and sealing are improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges multiple coating functions (sealing, corrosion resistance, and environmental safety) into a single zinc-nickel alloy coating layer. This eliminates the need for multiple superimposed coatings and their associated complex preparation steps, while maintaining or improving overall performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The zinc-nickel alloy coating serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the sealing function required for static sealing points, delivers superior corrosion resistance, and ensures environmental safety. This multi-functionality in a single coating simplifies the manufacturing process compared to applying multiple specialized coatings.
3Reliability
If chromium coatings are used to achieve sealing, then sealing function is obtained, but environmental safety and future legislative compliance are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces expensive and environmentally harmful chromium coatings with a more sustainable zinc-nickel alloy coating. While chromium provides sealing function, it generates harmful factors; the zinc-nickel alloy achieves comparable or superior sealing performance without the environmental and health risks, ensuring future legislative compliance.
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 zinc and nickel alloy coating provides superior sealing characteristics and corrosion resistance, simplifying manufacturing and ensuring environmental safety without the drawbacks of chromium or nickel coatings.
Implementation Method 1
a steel substrate coated with a zinc and nickel alloy coating, including in mass percentage of the alloy between 12% and 18% and nickel
Implementation Method 2
a gasket made of elastically deformable material held between a portion of a first part of the landing gear and a portion of a second part of the landing gear
Implementation Method 3
at least one damper disposed to damp a sliding movement of said rod relative to a structure of the aircraft
Data Source
AI summary
A landing gear wherein it includes at least one static sealing point, the static sealing point comprising a gasket made of elastically deformable material held between a portion of a first part of the landing gear and a portion of a second part of the landing gear, the first and second parts of the landing gear comprising a steel substrate coated with a zinc and nickel alloy coating, including in mass percentage of the alloy between 12% and 18% and nickel, at most 0.5% of elements other than nickel and zinc, the balance being zinc, and the roughness Ra of the surface of the portions of the first and second parts of the landing gear being less than or equal to 1.6 μm.