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WO2018141072A1 - Aéronef à train d'atterrissage amphibie gonflable - Google Patents

Aéronef à train d'atterrissage amphibie gonflable Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2018141072A1
WO2018141072A1 PCT/CA2018/050132 CA2018050132W WO2018141072A1 WO 2018141072 A1 WO2018141072 A1 WO 2018141072A1 CA 2018050132 W CA2018050132 W CA 2018050132W WO 2018141072 A1 WO2018141072 A1 WO 2018141072A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
inflatable
landing gear
aircraft
air bladders
pontoon
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/CA2018/050132
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Andrew LEINONEN
Ramy RASHAD
Jay GODSALL
Original Assignee
Solar Ship Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Solar Ship Inc. filed Critical Solar Ship Inc.
Publication of WO2018141072A1 publication Critical patent/WO2018141072A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B64—AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; COSMONAUTICS
    • B64B—LIGHTER-THAN AIR AIRCRAFT
    • B64B1/00—Lighter-than-air aircraft
    • B64B1/68—Water flotation gear
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B64—AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; COSMONAUTICS
    • B64B—LIGHTER-THAN AIR AIRCRAFT
    • B64B1/00—Lighter-than-air aircraft
    • B64B1/06—Rigid airships; Semi-rigid airships
    • B64B1/20—Rigid airships; Semi-rigid airships provided with wings or stabilising surfaces
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B64—AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; COSMONAUTICS
    • B64C—AEROPLANES; HELICOPTERS
    • B64C25/00—Alighting gear
    • B64C25/32—Alighting gear characterised by elements which contact the ground or similar surface 
    • B64C25/50—Steerable undercarriages; Shimmy-damping
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B64—AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; COSMONAUTICS
    • B64C—AEROPLANES; HELICOPTERS
    • B64C25/00—Alighting gear
    • B64C25/32—Alighting gear characterised by elements which contact the ground or similar surface 
    • B64C25/54—Floats
    • B64C25/56—Floats inflatable
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B64—AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; COSMONAUTICS
    • B64C—AEROPLANES; HELICOPTERS
    • B64C25/00—Alighting gear
    • B64C25/32—Alighting gear characterised by elements which contact the ground or similar surface 
    • B64C25/66—Convertible alighting gear; Combinations of different kinds of ground or like engaging elements

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to aerospace and aircraft, and in particular to amphibious landing gear.
  • Aircraft are generally provided with landing gear, which provide means for the aircraft to land, take off and taxi.
  • Different types of landing gear have been adapted for operations on ground, mud, snow or water, and even amphibious landing gear capable of operating on both land and water.
  • amphibious landing gear such as the products offered by Aerocet Inc. or Zenair Ltd., generally comprise a set of pontoons with a wheel located at the fore of each pontoon and another wheel located further aft on each pontoon.
  • the wheels would generally be extended to allow the aircraft to roll around, while for water operations the wheels would generally be retracted to minimize any hydrodynamic effects.
  • Safe operation of an amphibious aircraft relies on the pilot correctly operating the landing gear and ensuring it is in the appropriate position attempting to land on a given surface.
  • Alternate landing gear arrangements have been proposed with varying degrees of success.
  • Carden (US1866451 ) teaches an aircraft having fixed-wheel landing gear, retractable outboard inflatable pontoons, as well as central inflatable pontoons located on the fore and aft of the fuselage.
  • this type of landing gear can be fatal if the pilot fails to ensure the gear is correctly configured for a water landing, as landing with the pontoons up would result in the nose wheels digging into the water surface, potentially inverting the aircraft.
  • This type of design also creates significant complexity and weight with the mechanisms for extending and retracting the pontoons.
  • the present invention comprises an inflatable, amphibious landing gear.
  • the upper portion of the landing gear comprises an inflated pontoon.
  • One or more wheels are attached to this inflated pontoon to provide for land operations.
  • Below the inflatable pontoon are one or more air bladders which do not extend below the lower surface of the wheels when in a deflated state, but extend below the lower surface of the wheels when fully inflated in order to provide for water operations.
  • a hull may be attached to the lower surface of the air bladders to improve performance on water.
  • inflated pontoon is intended to refer to the upper section of the landing gear in accordance with the present invention, which is usually in an inflated state, the term serving as a distinction from the term “air bladder” which is used to refer to the lower section, which alternates between an inflated and deflated state during normal operations.
  • FIG. 1 is a side view of the inflatable amphibious landing gear, showing the air bladders in the deflated position, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a side view of the inflatable amphibious landing gear, showing the air bladders in the inflated position, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 3 is a side view of an aircraft according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 4 is an isometric view of an aircraft according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
  • (10) comprises inflatable pontoon (1 1 ), below which is a series of deflated air bladders (20), below which in turn is a hydrodynamic hull (30). Attached to the inflatable pontoon
  • an aircraft (40) comprises an inflated wing (41 ) and two inflatable pontoons (1 1 ) according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • the inflatable pontoons (1 1 ) may be constructed using similar materials and methods to those of the inflated wing (41 ).
  • the inflation gas in the pontoons (1 1 ) may be in fluid communication with the inflation gas of the inflated wing (41 ), and may also share a common pressure management system.
  • a conventional aircraft having a non-inflated wing may be outfitted with the inflatable amphibious landing gear of the present invention.
  • the inflatable pontoon (1 1 ) is preferably constructed of lightweight fabric, with polymer coatings to render the fabric substantially impervious to gas and water, as well as provide protection from environmental factors like ultraviolet radiation or salt water.
  • the inflation gas used is preferably hydrogen in order to provide a cheap source of buoyancy; helium may be used as an alternate source of buoyancy. Operations involving large changes in altitude or temperature necessitate a pressure management system to ensure the inflated pontoon (1 1 ) does not deform under low pressure, or burst under high pressure.
  • the inflated pontoon When combined with an inflated wing (41 ), the inflated pontoon may share a common pressure management system with the wing (41 ), or may contain its own pressure management system, the design of which will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art.
  • the large, flexible, inflated pontoon (1 1 ) acts as a shock absorber.
  • the inflated pontoon (1 1 ) may be outfitted with a pressure relief valve to avoid damaging the structure, said valve being configured to vent gas from the inflated pontoon (1 1 ) either to the outside environment or to the inflated wing (41 ) of the aircraft (40), according to one embodiment of the present invention.
  • Attached to the inflated pontoon (1 1 ) are one or more wheels (12) for operations on land.
  • the wheels (12) may be attached using lacing strips, which are preferably attached to load patches or double panels on the fabric of the inflated pontoon (1 1 ) in order to distribute the load better. Additional structure may be provided to secure the wheels (12) as needed for the anticipated loads.
  • the wheels (12) may be configured in a fixed or castoring arrangement, or may be provided with steering means.
  • the leading wheel is preferably located aft of the leading edge of the pontoon (1 1 ), for example 5% of the length of the inflated pontoon (1 1 ), so that in the event of an attempted water landing with the air bladders (20) deflated, the inflated pontoon (1 1 ) will provide sufficient buoyancy fore of the leading wheel to prevent inversion of the aircraft (40), thus providing a fail-safe in the event of pilot error.
  • the inflatable air bladders (20) are preferably constructed of lightweight fabric, with polymer coatings to render the fabric substantially impervious to gas and water, as well as provide protection from environmental factors like ultraviolet radiation or salt water. These air bladders (20) can be inflated or deflated by the pilot as desired in order to position their lower edges below the lower surfaces of the wheels (12). In a preferred embodiment, any power required to inflate, extend, deflate or retract the air bladders (20) is provided by solar power collected from the top of the aircraft (40), although various other power sources may be employed as will be apparent to those skilled in the art.
  • the aircraft (40) can operate on its wheels (12) without any other part of the landing gear (1 0) contacting the ground. Furthermore, in the deflated position the lower surface of the air bladders (20) is still below the top surface of the wheels (12), which significantly reduces the adverse effects should the pilot fail to ensure the landing gear is configured for a water landing before attempting to land on water. Furthermore, the lead wheel is preferably located away from the leading edge of the inflated pontoon (1 1 ), which further prevents the likelihood of tipping the aircraft (40) when landing on water in the incorrect configuration.
  • a hydrodynamic hull (30) may be disposed along the underside of the air bladders (20) to improve performance on water.
  • This hull (30) may be constructed from rigid or semi-rigid material in accordance with standard materials and methods known to those skilled in the art. Attachment of the hull (30) may be directly to the air bladders (20) using lacing strips, welding, fasteners or other means. In addition to providing a hydrodynamic surface for water operations, the flat surface provided by the hull allows for operation on snow, sand or other surfaces where wheels are not appropriate.
  • the inflatable amphibious landing gear (10) is equipped with means for retracting the deflated air bladders (20) and the hull (30).
  • This preferably comprises elastic members or similar means attached to either the lower surface of the air bladders (20) or directly to the hull (30), but could alternatively comprise an actuated system of rods and levers.
  • a fan, blower or compressor may be used to apply a vacuum to the air bladders (20), and the air bladders (20) may be constructed so as to fold up against the inflated pontoon (1 1 ) when deflated in order to provide an aerodynamic surface.
  • air bladders (20) may be in fluid connection with the inflated pontoons (1 1 ) via a valve which may be controlled by the pilot. In such an embodiment, inflation may be achieved by simply opening the valve and allowing gas to flow from the inflated pontoon (1 1 ) into the air bladders (20).
  • the air bladders (20) may be provided with fans, blowers, compressors or similar means for inflating the air bladders (20) with air from the outside environment; such an embodiment has the advantage of allowing the air bladders (20) to operate at higher pressure than the inflated pontoons (1 1 ).

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Aviation & Aerospace Engineering (AREA)
  • Tires In General (AREA)

Abstract

Train d'atterrissage amphibie gonflable comprenant un ou plusieurs flotteurs gonflés sur lesquels sont fixées des roues et sous chacun desquels se trouvent une ou plusieurs chambres à air. Lorsque les chambres à air sont gonflées, elles se déploient sous les roues et permettent des opérations sur l'eau. Lorsque les chambres à air sont dégonflées, elles se rétractent au-dessus de la surface inférieure des roues, ce qui permet des opérations sur terre. Même lorsque les chambres à air sont rétractées, elles se déploient encore sous la surface supérieure des roues, de telle sorte qu'un aéronef peut toujours atterrir en toute sécurité sur l'eau dans le cas où le pilote ne parvient pas à configurer le train d'atterrissage de manière appropriée. Cette structure de train d'atterrissage amphibie gonflable est légère et peu complexe.
PCT/CA2018/050132 2017-02-06 2018-02-06 Aéronef à train d'atterrissage amphibie gonflable WO2018141072A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US201762454998P 2017-02-06 2017-02-06
US62/454,998 2017-02-06

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2018141072A1 true WO2018141072A1 (fr) 2018-08-09

Family

ID=63039319

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/CA2018/050132 WO2018141072A1 (fr) 2017-02-06 2018-02-06 Aéronef à train d'atterrissage amphibie gonflable

Country Status (1)

Country Link
WO (1) WO2018141072A1 (fr)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN109436305A (zh) * 2018-11-20 2019-03-08 南京信息工程大学 可水面起降的无人机
CN114212247A (zh) * 2021-12-23 2022-03-22 航宇救生装备有限公司 一种适用于滑撬式起落架的应急浮筒

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2444264A (en) * 1946-10-09 1948-06-29 William A Morris Aircraft pontoon device
US2465193A (en) * 1944-12-28 1949-03-22 Air Cruisers Inc Pneumatic landing gear for helicopters and like aircraft
US4697762A (en) * 1985-01-31 1987-10-06 Arney D B Inflatable float assembly and undercarriage for aircraft
US8864068B1 (en) * 2012-04-02 2014-10-21 Worldwide Aeros Corporation Multi-chamber landing system for an air vehicle

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2465193A (en) * 1944-12-28 1949-03-22 Air Cruisers Inc Pneumatic landing gear for helicopters and like aircraft
US2444264A (en) * 1946-10-09 1948-06-29 William A Morris Aircraft pontoon device
US4697762A (en) * 1985-01-31 1987-10-06 Arney D B Inflatable float assembly and undercarriage for aircraft
US8864068B1 (en) * 2012-04-02 2014-10-21 Worldwide Aeros Corporation Multi-chamber landing system for an air vehicle

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
"Goodyear Inflatoplane - wikipedia", 8 August 2018 (2018-08-08), XP055532522, Retrieved from the Internet <URL:https://en.wikipedia.ore/wiki/Goodvear_Inflatoplane> *

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN109436305A (zh) * 2018-11-20 2019-03-08 南京信息工程大学 可水面起降的无人机
CN114212247A (zh) * 2021-12-23 2022-03-22 航宇救生装备有限公司 一种适用于滑撬式起落架的应急浮筒
CN114212247B (zh) * 2021-12-23 2023-10-20 航宇救生装备有限公司 一种适用于滑撬式起落架的应急浮筒

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