A research project aimed at developing advanced control systems for large-aircraft landing gear has been launched by Ultra Electronics, in conjunction with Messier-Dowty and British Aerospace Airbus.
The 30-month UK Government-sponsored research programme will cover areas such as active bogie trimming, damping control, steering control and intelligent gear-sequencing.
"Future landing-gear systems will have to be capable of supporting larger aircraft while at the same time providing cost benefits," says Andy Hamment, managing director of the Ultra Electronics Controls division.
Active bogey trimming is aimed at reducing drag during take-off and initial climb, before the gear is retracted, while providing higher drag during descent, to help large aircraft lose speed and altitude. The gear would be further trimmed to minimise aerodynamic noise during final approach.
Active damping control, meanwhile, would help to reduce vibration levels during ground manoeuvres. According to Alan Fisher, marketing director of the Controls division, Ultra is also keen to "-put some intelligence in gear sequencing to smooth gear extraction and retraction".
Source: Flight International
