Skid Manoeuvring Wheels With Pivoting Arms for Step Clearance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ground maneuvering devices for helicopters with landing gear skids require disassembly of side platforms or work baskets, which is time-consuming, costly, and risky, and cannot be installed if a step is positioned above the skid.
Innovation Solution
A ground maneuvering device with pivoting arms actuated by a vertical reciprocating control lever, using a selective displacement device like a hydraulic cylinder, allowing wheels to contact the ground and lift the landing gear skid off the ground, with automatic return mechanisms for easy installation and operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional take-off and landing gear are used, then the aircraft can operate from conventional runways, but it cannot operate from unprepared ground or ice surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the landing gear system transformable between fixed conventional gears and movable sleds. The sleds are stored in a retracted position during flight and deployed to unprepared surfaces when needed, allowing the system to adapt its configuration based on operational requirements rather than being fixed in one form.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements universality by designing a multi-functional gear system that can operate in three distinct modes: conventional wheel mode for prepared runways, sled mode for unprepared ground and ice surfaces, and a transitional mode during deployment. This single system replaces the need for separate specialized gear for different surface types.
2Adaptability or versatility
If ground manoeuvring devices are deployed to unprepared surfaces, then operational versatility is improved, but the risk of damage to aircraft components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses sleds as intermediary elements between the aircraft and unprepared surfaces. These sleds have specialized characteristics (such as distributed contact areas and appropriate material properties) that mediate the interaction between the aircraft gear and rough or icy surfaces, reducing direct stress concentrations that would damage conventional wheel components.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides beforehand cushioning by having sleds pre-positioned and ready for deployment when unprepared surfaces are detected or anticipated. The sleds are designed with shock-absorbing characteristics that cushion the impact and stresses of operating on rough surfaces before damage can occur to the main aircraft structure.
3Ease of operation
If conventional landing gear is used, then structural simplicity is maintained, but manoeuvring capability on ice and snow is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the landing gear system into separate, independent sled units that can be individually deployed and retracted. Each sled operates independently, allowing selective deployment based on which main gear needs support, and simplifying the overall control system compared to a fully integrated alternative.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a manoeuvring device (100) for ground movements of an aeroplane with landing gear skids (10), such as an aircraft, which does not require removing a lateral nacelle or a work platform when the aeroplane is equipped with same. To this end, the inventor proposes a ground manoeuvring device which comprises pivoting arms (140) that are connected to wheels (50), the pivoting arms being pushed so as to be rotated with respect to the body (110) of the ground manoeuvring device, in a direction from top to bottom until the wheels come into contact with the ground and the landing gear skid is lifted off the ground.