Skid landing gear system
A skid landing gear assembly is provided. One embodiment of the landing gear assembly may include a first and a second skid member, and a forward and an aft cross member. The forward and aft cross-members may have integrated attachment members coupled to a forward portion and an aft portion of the first and second skid members. In more particular embodiments, the cross-members may be beam members with open cross-sections, and the skid members may be beam members with a closed cross-section.
1. A landing gear assembly, comprising:
a first skid member;
a second skid member;
a forward cross member having a first forward integrated attachment member coupled to a forward portion of the first skid member and a second forward integrated attachment member coupled to a forward portion of the second skid member;
an aft cross member having a first aft integrated attachment member coupled to an aft portion of the first skid and a second aft integrated attachment member coupled to an aft portion of the second skid member;
a first forward end insert configured to slidingly engage within the first skid member; and
a retention element securely attached to both the first skid member and the first forward end insert and configured to retain the first forward end insert to the first skid member;
wherein the first and second skid members are beam members having a substantially rectangular cross section with rounded corners;
wherein a beam of the beam members comprises opposing first and second caps and opposing first and second webs; and
wherein the beam has thickened portions along the first and second caps.
2. The landing gear assembly of claim 1 , wherein the forward and aft cross members are beam members having an open cross-section.
3. The landing gear assembly of claim 1 , further comprising:
a second forward end insert coupled to the forward end of the second skid member.
4. The landing skid of claim 1 , wherein the first and second webs are aligned to receive vertical loads upon contact with a horizontal surface.
5. The landing skid of claim 1 , wherein the elongated beam has pre-drilled holes adapted to receive bolts for coupling to a cross-member.
6. A cross-beam apparatus, comprising:
a central member portion having a first end and a second end;
a first integral leg portion adjacent to first end;
a second integral leg portion adjacent the second end;
a first integrated attachment portion adjacent to the first integral leg portion;
a second integrated attachment portion adjacent to the second integral leg portion;
a first forward end insert configured to slidingly engage within the first skid member; and
a retention element securely attached to both the first skid member and the first forward end insert and configured to retain the first forward end insert to the first skid member;
wherein the first integrated attachment portion and the second integrated attachment portion have an attachment interface;
wherein the first and second skid members are beam members having a substantially rectangular cross section with rounded corners;
wherein a beam of the beam members comprises opposing first and second caps and opposing first and second webs; and
wherein the beam has thickened portions along the first and second caps.
7. The cross-beam apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the attachment interface is a saddle-shaped attachment interface.
8. The cross-beam apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the first and second integrated attachment portions have pre-drilled holes to receive bolts for coupling to a skid member.
9. An aircraft, comprising:
a fuselage; and
a landing gear coupled to the fuselage, wherein the landing gear comprises:
a first skid member;
a second skid member;
a forward cross member having first forward integrated attachment member coupled to a forward portion of the first skid member and a second forward integrated attachment member coupled to a forward portion of the second skid member;
an aft cross member having a first aft integrated attachment member coupled to an aft portion of the first skid and a second aft integrated attachment member coupled to an aft portion of the second skid member:
a first forward end insert configured to slidingly engage within the first skid member; and
a retention element securely attached to both the first skid member and the first forward end insert and configured to retain the first forward end insert to the first skid member;
wherein the first and second skid members are beam members having a substantially rectangular cross section with rounded corners;
wherein a beam of the beam members comprises opposing first and second caps and opposing first and second webs; and
wherein the beam has thickened portions along the first and second caps.
10. The aircraft of claim 9 , where the beam members have a hollow interior.