Safran Landing Systems Canada, Inc.

Safran Landing Systems

Michael Saccoccia

Randy Lee

Zoran Pasic

Robert Kyle Schmidt

Steve Amberg

Robert Chappell

Peter Pisters

A landing gear system for a vehicle includes a landing gear configured for reciprocating motion between a stowed position and a deployed position. The landing gear has a linkage with a first link rotatably coupled to a second link. The linkage reciprocates between folded and extended states when the landing gear reciprocates between the stowed and deployed positions, respectively. A fail-secure downlock includes first and second electromagnets fixedly positioned relative to the first and second links, respectively. The first electromagnet is proximate to the second electromagnet when the landing gear is in the stowed position. The first electromagnet is attracted to the second electromagnet when the downlock is in the locked state. The first electromagnet is repelled by the second electromagnet when the downlock is in the unlocked state.

Retractable landing gear linkage with electromagnetic downlock

A landing gear system includes a landing gear assembly coupled to a body of a vehicle and configured for reciprocating motion between a retracted position and an extended position. A fail-secure uplock assembly is reciprocal between a locked state and an unlocked state. A first electromagnet and a first permanent magnet are mounted to the body, and a second electromagnet and a second permanent magnet are mounted to a component of the landing gear assembly. The first and second electromagnets generate magnetic fields with reversible polarities. When the landing gear assembly is in the retracted position, the first permanent magnet is attracted to the second permanent magnet. The first electromagnet is attracted to the second electromagnet when the uplock assembly is in the locked state and is repelled by the second electromagnet when the uplock assembly is in the unlocked state.

Retractable landing gear system with magnetic uplocks

A landing gear assembly for a vehicle, such as a helicopter, includes a linkage coupled to the vehicle and configured to reciprocate between a stowed position and a deployed position. A shock strut forms a part of the linkage. The landing gear assembly further includes a side brace having a first end coupled to the linkage and a second end coupled to the vehicle. The side brace provides a driving force that reciprocates the linkage between the stowed and deployed position. The side brace includes an energy attenuation system that dissipates energy when a compressive load on the side brace exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Retractable body mounted landing gear with secondary crash attenuation

A shock strut is provided that includes a first energy absorption stage or load limiter and a second energy absorption stage or load limiter. The second energy absorption stage or load limiter can include one or more disc springs. The shock strut can be employed on both fixed and retractable landing gear alike, while providing design adjustability for obtaining load-deflection curves that accommodate a range of descent or impact velocities.

Shock absorbing strut

A landing gear for a vehicle includes a strut configured for reciprocating movement between a stowed position and a deployed position. A shock absorber has a first element slidingly disposed within the strut and a second element slidingly coupled to the first element. A trailing arm is rotatably coupled to the second element. A first linkage is coupled to the first element, wherein the first linkage drives the first element between a raised position when the strut is in the stowed position and a lowered position when the strut is in the deployed position. The landing gear further includes a second linkage coupled to the trailing arm. The second linkage rotates the trailing arm between a first trailing arm position when the strut is in the stowed position and a second trailing arm position when the strut is in the deployed position.

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Seagrave, Canada

Michael Saccoccia