Wheel Accelerometer Monitoring for Landing Gear Axle Deflection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aircraft landing gear monitoring systems lack real-time deflection detection capabilities, requiring additional equipment and maintenance, and plastic deformations are only detectable during heavy maintenance operations.
Innovation Solution
Utilize the signals from accelerometers integrated into tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) on landing gear wheels to estimate deflection angles of the axles in real-time without additional hardware, by processing accelerometer data to filter and estimate deflection angles using low-pass filters and pseudo-inverse methods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If additional hard landing detectors are equipped on the landing gear, then the ability to detect rough landings and deformations is improved, but the device complexity and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The accelerometer originally designed for tire pressure monitoring is made multi-functional by also using it to detect landing gear deflections and hard landings. This allows a single device to serve both tire monitoring and structural health monitoring purposes, eliminating the need for separate detection systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The existing TPMS accelerometer serves itself by providing dual functionality. The same sensor that monitors tire pressure also detects axle deflections and landing impacts, making the system self-sufficient and reducing the need for additional dedicated sensors.
2Reliability
If hard landing detectors are installed on the landing gear, then the detection of plastic deformations is improved, but the weight of the landing gear increases
Solution Approach 1:
The TPMS accelerometer is utilized for dual purposes: tire pressure monitoring and structural deformation detection. This multi-functional approach provides reliable deformation detection without adding the weight of dedicated hard landing detectors.
Solution Approach 2:
The existing accelerometer in the TPMS system serves additional functions by detecting landing gear deflections and hard landings, eliminating the need for separate detection equipment and associated weight.
3Productivity
If traditional monitoring methods are used, then the landing gear can be monitored, but real-time deflection monitoring is not available and plastic deformations are only detectable during heavy maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of potential issues during normal operations. By continuously monitoring deflections in real-time, the system can identify problems before they become critical, allowing for proactive maintenance scheduling rather than waiting for heavy maintenance events.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides continuous feedback on landing gear deflection status during normal operations. This real-time information flow enables operators to monitor the health of the landing gear and schedule maintenance based on actual conditions rather than fixed intervals.
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 monitoring of landing gear deflections, detecting plastic deformations during normal operations, reducing the need for additional equipment and facilitating timely maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
at least one accelerometer secured to a wheel of the landing gear mounted for rotation on an axle of the landing gear
Data Source
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AI summary
Method for monitoring an aircraft landing gear (100) comprising the step of using information from at least one accelerometer (108) firmly secured to a landing gear wheel (103) mounted to rotate on a landing gear axle (102) to estimate an angle of deflection of the axle at least when the wheel is in contact with the ground. Aircraft implementing this method.