Aircraft Shock Absorber Pressurization Without Iterative Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for pressurizing aircraft shock absorbers require an iterative process due to unknown aircraft weights, necessitating repeated measurements and adjustments, which is time-consuming and inefficient, especially for simultaneous pressurization of multiple landing gears.

Innovation Solution

A method that calculates the target length of the shock absorber based on the aircraft's weight and ambient temperature, using a system with a temperature sensor, pressurization means, and control logic to automatically pressurize or depressurize the shock absorber to the correct length, eliminating the need for iterative adjustments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If an iterative pressurization process is used to achieve the correct shock absorber length, then the shock absorber can be pressurized to the desired extension, but the process is time-consuming and inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshock absorber extension lengthVSAvoidpressurization time

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating the target shock absorber length based on the aircraft weight and ambient temperature before the pressurization process begins. The control system uses the known aircraft weight and measured temperature to determine the exact target length, eliminating the need for iterative adjustments during pressurization. This allows the pressurization process to proceed directly to the correct length, significantly reducing the time required while maintaining precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Manufacturing precision

If the shock absorber is pressurized iteratively to achieve the correct length, then the desired extension is achieved, but the process requires repeated measurements and adjustments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshock absorber extension lengthVSAvoidpressurization process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback by using a measurement system (such as an RVDT - Rotary Variable Differential Transformer) to monitor the shock absorber length during pressurization and compare it against the pre-calculated target length. The control system receives feedback from the measurement system and automatically adjusts the pressurization to achieve the target length, eliminating the need for manual iterative adjustments and reducing process complexity while maintaining high precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Manufacturing precision

If manual pressurization adjustments are made iteratively, then the correct shock absorber length is achieved, but the process cannot be performed simultaneously on multiple landing gears

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshock absorber extension lengthVSAvoidpressurization speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by designing a control system that can simultaneously manage and pressurize multiple shock absorbers across different landing gears. The system uses the single known aircraft weight and ambient temperature measurement to calculate target lengths for all shock absorbers, then controls multiple pressurization operations in parallel. This multi-functional capability allows simultaneous pressurization of all landing gears, dramatically increasing productivity while maintaining the precision required for each individual shock absorber.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 approach significantly reduces the time required to achieve the correct pressurization level, allowing for simultaneous pressurization of all shock absorbers, enhancing efficiency and enabling rapid deployment of aircraft in emergency situations, while improving precision and allowing remote initiation of the process.

Implementation Method 1

measuring an ambient temperature around the shock absorber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTemperature sensing:

Implementation Method 2

pressurizing the shock absorber to the target length

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure adjustment:

Implementation Method 3

the shock absorber can be pressurized correctly without the need for maintenance personnel using a pressurization chart and a measuring tool to iteratively pressurize the landing gear

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS11479347B2Landing gear storage and quick servicing solution

Publication Date: 2022.10.25 MESSIER DOWTY

AI summary

A method for pressurizing and depressurizing a shock absorber of an aircraft. More specifically, it relates to a method in which an aircraft weight and ambient temperature are used to calculate a required pressurization level of a shock absorber. As such, the shock absorber may be pressurized to the correct level without applying an iterative approach, greatly reducing initialization time.