Tail Skid Shock Absorber Indicator for Precise Tail Strike Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tail skid energy absorption indication systems provide coarse and unreliable visual indicators of remaining energy absorption, are prone to dislodgment, and fail to indicate the magnitude of tail strike events accurately, leading to potential debris on runways and reduced serviceability.
Innovation Solution
A tail skid shock absorber with an integrated indicator rod coupled to a crushable indicator cartridge, where the indicator rod moves as a unit with the cartridge, providing a visual indication of remaining energy absorption and being retained within the cartridge to prevent dislodgment, with graduations for measuring the extent of exposure to determine the magnitude of tail strikes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If indicator rods are allowed to freely fall to protrude from the tail skid shock absorber for visual indication, then visual indication capability is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to dislodgment and damage
Solution Approach 1:
The indicator rod is merged with the crushable cartridge by coupling the rod to the cartridge body. When the cartridge is crushed during a tail strike event, the indicator rod moves relative to the shock absorber housing to provide visual indication, while remaining attached to the cartridge to prevent dislodgment and runway contamination.
2Reliability
If conventional separate housing indicator system is used, then indicator function is provided, but device complexity increases and serviceability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The indicator rod function is integrated into the crushable cartridge assembly rather than using a separate housing system. This merging reduces the number of components, simplifies the overall structure, and improves serviceability while maintaining the indicator function.
Solution Approach 2:
The crushable cartridge serves multiple functions: it provides energy absorption during tail strike events and simultaneously houses the indicator rod mechanism. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate indicator housing and reduces system complexity.
3Device complexity
If coarse indication levels are used, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The indicator rod incorporates local quality variations through graduations or markings at different positions along its length. These local features provide precise measurement of tail strike magnitude, allowing differentiation between various levels of energy absorption while maintaining a simple overall device structure.
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 more accurate and reliable visual indication of remaining energy absorption, reduces the risk of indicator rod dislodgment, and allows for easier replacement, enhancing the serviceability and safety of tail skid systems by integrating the indicator rod with the crushable cartridge.
Implementation Method 1
the energy absorption capabilities generally include a consumable crushable cartridge that is disposed within a tail skid shock absorber
Data Source
AI summary
An aircraft tail skid energy absorption indicator including a crushable indicator cartridge disposed within the an outer shock absorber canister of the aircraft tail skid, and an indicator rod coupled to the crushable indicator cartridge so as to move with a portion of the crushable indicator cartridge as a unit, where the indicator rod extends through an aperture in a wall of the outer shock absorber canister, where the indicator rod includes at least one graduation that indicates an amount of remaining energy absorption of the aircraft tail skid energy absorption indicator.