Motorized Landing Gear Real-Time Position Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional aircraft undercarriages lack real-time adjustability to accommodate varying aircraft weights, landing conditions, and temperature changes, leading to suboptimal performance and inability to control ground resonance and dynamic behavior.
Innovation Solution
A motorized undercarriage system with a rotary motor and movement transformation system, controlled by a computer, which adjusts the position of the landing gear leg in real-time using sensors and adjustable force laws to manage ground contact and damping, replacing traditional shock absorbers and allowing for translational and rotational movements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional oleo-pneumatic damper is used in the landing gear, then damping capacity is achieved through gas compression and liquid rolling, but the system cannot be adjusted in real-time to accommodate varying aircraft weights, landing conditions, and temperature changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the Dynamics principle by replacing the static oleo-pneumatic damper with an active motorized system that can dynamically adjust the landing gear leg position and damping characteristics in real-time. The motor (25) and computer (40) enable the system to adapt to varying aircraft weights, landing conditions, and temperatures, transforming a fixed-parameter system into a dynamically adjustable one that optimizes performance across different operating conditions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the landing gear leg is designed with fixed shock absorber characteristics, then manufacturing is simplified, but the system cannot control ground resonance or optimize performance for different landing conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies Mechanics substitution by replacing the passive mechanical shock absorber system with an active motorized system. Instead of relying solely on fixed mechanical damping elements, the invention uses a motor (25) controlled by a computer (40) to actively manage the landing gear leg position and damping forces, enabling ground resonance control and optimization for different landing conditions while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through modular design.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the undercarriage is designed with a vertical landing gear leg configuration, then structural simplicity is achieved, but the system lacks the ability to adjust position and control dynamic behavior during landing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies Universality by designing the motorized system undercarriage (10) with a multi-functional motor (25) that performs multiple functions: it controls the landing gear leg position, provides damping during landing, and enables real-time adaptation to different operating conditions. This single motorized system replaces what would traditionally require separate mechanisms for position adjustment and shock absorption, achieving position control while managing actuation system complexity through functional integration.
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
Enables real-time adaptation of the undercarriage to changing conditions, improving stability and reducing forces on the aircraft, effectively mitigating ground resonance and optimizing landing performance.
Implementation Method 1
said undercarriage having a system for transforming a movement, said system for transforming a movement having a first movable element cooperating with a second element mobile, the first element being mechanically connected to the output member, the second element being attached to the landing gear leg
Implementation Method 2
said computer being configured to control said motor in order to control a position of the body in contact with the ground
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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Figure 5~6
AI summary
The present invention relates to a landing gear (10) equipped with a landing gear leg (15) carrying at least one ground contact element (20). The landing gear (10) comprises a motor (25) having an output element (26) that rotates about a drive axis (A3). The landing gear (10) has a motion transformation system (65). This motion transformation system (65) has a first movable element (66) cooperating with a second movable element (70). The first element (66) is mechanically connected to the output element (26), and the second element (70) is attached to the landing gear leg (15). A computer (40) is configured to control the motor (25) in order to control the position of the ground contact element (20).