Pneumo-mechanical landing gear deployment system and method
A pneumo-mechanical landing gear deployment system includes a dual-stage handle operatively connected to a pressurized tank, a nose landing gear pneumatically connected to the pressurized tank, and a main landing gear pneumatically connected to the pressurized tank. Actuation of the dual-stage handle to a first position opens the pressurized tank thereby deploying the nose landing gear. Actuation of the dual-stage handle to a second position causes further opening of the pressurized tank thereby deploying the main landing gear. The system may be employed as a backup landing gear deployment system in the case of a primary landing gear system failure.
1 . A method of servicing a pneumo-mechanical landing gear deployment system in which a nose landing gear and a main landing gear have been deployed, the method comprising:
partially retracting the nose landing gear and the main landing gear;
relieving pressure from the nose landing gear and the main landing gear via a relief valve;
extending the nose landing gear and the main landing gear;
closing a shutoff valve disposed pneumatically downstream of a pressurized tank;
closing a release valve disposed at the pressurized tank; and
repressurizing the pressurized tank.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein a secondary extension component may be unlocked for unlocking either the nose landing gear or the main landing gear prior to partially retracting.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein relieving pressure further comprises relieving any residual pressurized gas stored within a pressurized tank.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein extending the nose landing gear and the main landing gear comprises moving each of the nose landing gear and the main landing gear from an unlocked position to a locked position.
5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein closing the shutoff valve comprises actuating a dual-stage handle from a second position to a first position.
6 . The method of claim 5 , wherein closing the release valve comprises actuating the dual-stage handle from the first position to an initial starting position.
7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein repressurizing the pressurized tank comprises delivering pressurized gas to the pressurized tank via the relief valve.
8 . A method of servicing a pneumo-mechanical landing gear deployment system, wherein the pneumo-mechanical landing gear deployment system comprises a dual-stage handle operatively connected to a pressurized tank, a nose landing gear pneumatically connected to the pressurized tank, and a main landing gear pneumatically connected to the pressurized tank, the method comprising:
unlocking the nose landing gear and the main landing gear;
partially retracting the nose landing gear and the main landing gear;
relieving any pressure from the nose landing gear and the main landing gear by releasing a pressurized gas via a relief valve;
extending the nose landing gear and the main landing gear;
closing a shutoff valve disposed pneumatically downstream of the pressurized tank;
closing a release valve operatively coupled to the pressurized tank; and
repressurizing the pressurized tank.
9 . The method of claim 8 , wherein unlocking at least one of the nose landing gear or the main landing gear comprises unlocking a secondary extension component.
10 . The method of claim 8 , wherein relieving pressure further comprises relieving a pressurized gas stored within the pressurized tank.
11 . The method of claim 8 , wherein extending the nose landing gear and the main landing gear comprises returning each of the nose landing gear and the main landing gear from an unlocked position to a locked position.
12 . The method of claim 8 , wherein closing the shutoff valve comprises actuating the dual-stage handle from a second position to a first position.
13 . The method of claim 8 , wherein closing the release valve comprises actuating the dual-stage handle from a first position to an initial starting position.
14 . The method of claim 8 , wherein repressurizing the pressurized tank comprises delivering pressurized gas to the pressurized tank via the relief valve.