Multifunctional electromechanical device for landing gear
View Patent ↗A multifunction electromechanical device for an aircraft undercarriage. The device comprises a first shaft ( 10 ) mounted to rotate on the aircraft about an axis of rotation (R) that is substantially parallel to a hinge axis (X) of the undercarriage relative to the aircraft and a telescopic second shaft ( 20 ) mounted to rotate on the undercarriage extending downwards to the proximity of the wheels carried thereby. The device also includes a transmission ( 19 ) for transmitting rotary motion from the first shaft to the second shaft and a transmission ( 21 ) for transmitting rotary motion from the second shaft to at least one wheel carried by the undercarriage. With this configuration, if the wheel is not fitted with a brake, there is a specific brake ( 30 ) for braking one of the shafts relative to the undercarriage, and a motor ( 11, 15 ) for causing the first shaft to rotate.
1. A method of raising an aircraft undercarriage fitted with a multifunction electromechanical device from a deployed position to a stowed position, said multifunction electromechanical device comprising at least:
a first shaft mounted to rotate on the aircraft about an axis of rotation that is substantially parallel to a hinge axis of the undercarriage relative to the aircraft;
a telescopic second shaft mounted to rotate on the undercarriage extending down therealong to the proximity of the wheels carried thereby;
transmission means for transmitting rotary motion from the first shaft to the telescopic second shaft;
transmission means for transmitting rotary motion from the telescopic second shaft to at least one wheel carried by the undercarriage;
a wheel brake fitted to the wheel; and
motor means for causing the first shaft to rotate;
the method comprising the following steps:
(1) unlocking a side-brace member of the undercarriage;
(2) preventing the second shaft of the multifunction electromechanical device from rotating relative to the undercarriage, by actuating the wheel brake; and
(3) operating the motor means to cause the first shaft to rotate relative to the structure of the aircraft.
2. A method of lowering an aircraft undercarriage fitted with a multifunction electromechanical device from a stowed position to a deployed position, said multifunction electromechanical device comprising at least:
a first shaft mounted to rotate on the aircraft about an axis of rotation that is substantially parallel to a hinge axis of the undercarriage relative to the aircraft;
a telescopic second shaft mounted to rotate on the undercarriage extending down therealong to the proximity of the wheels carried thereby;
transmission means for transmitting rotary motion from the first shaft to the telescopic second shaft;
transmission means for transmitting rotary motion from the telescopic second shaft to at least one wheel carried by the undercarriage;
a wheel brake fitted to the wheel and
motor means for causing the first shaft to rotate;
the method comprising the steps of:
(1) releasing the undercarriage to allow it to be lowered;
(2) preventing the second shaft of the multifunction electromechanical device from rotating relative to the undercarriage, by actuating the wheel brake; and
(3) controlling the forced rotation of the motor means as induced by the lowering of the undercarriage so as to control the lowering of the undercarriage.
3. A method of raising an aircraft undercarriage fitted with a multifunction electromechanical device from a deployed position to a stowed position, said multifunction electromechanical device comprising at least:
a first shaft mounted to rotate on the aircraft about an axis of rotation that is substantially parallel to a hinge axis of the undercarriage relative to the aircraft;
a telescopic second shaft mounted to rotate on the undercarriage extending down therealong to the proximity of the wheels carried thereby;
transmission means for transmitting rotary motion from the first shaft to the telescopic second shaft;
transmission means for transmitting rotary motion from the telescopic second shaft to at least one wheel carried by the undercarriage;
a specific brake means for braking the second shaft; and
motor means for causing the first shaft to rotate; the method comprising the following steps:
(1) unlocking a side-brace member of the undercarriage;
(2) preventing the second shaft of the multifunction electromechanical device from rotating relative to the undercarriage, by actuating the specific brake means; and
(3) operating the motor means to cause the first shaft to rotate relative to the structure of the aircraft.
4. A method of lowering an aircraft undercarriage fitted with a multifunction electromechanical device from a stowed position to a deployed position, said multifunction electromechanical device comprising at least:
a first shaft mounted to rotate on the aircraft about an axis of rotation that is substantially parallel to a hinge axis of the undercarriage relative to the aircraft;
a telescopic second shaft mounted to rotate on the undercarriage extending down therealong to the proximity of the wheels carried thereby;
transmission means for transmitting rotary motion from the first shaft to the telescopic second shaft;
transmission means for transmitting rotary motion from the telescopic second shaft to at least one wheel carried by the undercarriage;
a specific brake means for braking the second shaft; and
motor means for causing the first shaft to rotate; the method comprising the steps of:
(1) releasing the undercarriage to allow it to be lowered;
(2) preventing the second shaft of the multifunction electromechanical device from rotating relative to the undercarriage, by actuating the specific brake means; and
(3) controlling the forced rotation of the motor means as induced by the lowering of the undercarriage so as to control the lowering of the undercarriage.