Overview
The FASY project followed the objective to develop new designs for aircraft landing gears, regarding the use of materials, principles of operation and opportunities for situation monitoring. The key challenges were efficient (electric) steering concepts, reduced total weight and an improved maintainability.
The project linked the existing national competences in Industry and Research together in a common project.
The goal was to build a system containing a wide range of individual technologies and concepts, based on current requirements for aircrafts (especially for Regional aircrafts). Doing so, the project proofs the controllability of the new technology to future customers.
One way to increase the efficiency of an aircraft is the reduction of the total weight. Fiber composites can help to reduce total weight. Besides new experiences in the approval of CFC-components, it was the aim to explore the matters of damage tolerance and reparability.
For reference the tricycle gear of a well-known regional jet was chosen. Nearly all construction documents and data about performance were available. Starting from that data basis, specifications were developed.
In the development process of the electric steering concept, former experiences in EMA-Flap-drives were used.
For developing the fiber composite components, results of the EOSYS project were extended.
The FASY project was divided into 4 work packages:
- System
- Maintenance
- CFC
- Concept and concept proof
Funding
Results
The above mentioned objectives of the FASY project were accomplished: All different work packages largely achieved their goals:
- System: Development of an improved drive concept for the landing gear with respect to kinematics and lightweight principles. Further, the concept of a tricycle gear and its integration into the system was developed.
- Maintenance: Modification of sensor technologies for the usage in the landing gear: A surveillance of the oil level and quality could eliminate the regularly maintenance works. Furthermore, alternative methods of coating were analyzed for improved resistance of landing gear components against corrosion and wearing.
- CFC: Concept and verification of a lightweight landing gear system thanks to fiber composites. The following components were explored and developed: The Casing of the Shock absorber, struts and the actuating cylinders.
- Concept: The positive results and innovative products of the above mentioned work packages had to undergo several testing methods to proof their usability. Further it was the aim to reach a maximum weight reduction. Therefore, an integrated CFC axis and a CFC steering housing were developed.
Findings of the study are published by a final report (German only), which is available online via the Technical Information Library (TIB) of the Hannover University:
http://edok01.tib.uni-hannover.de/edoks/e01fb12/717402495.pdf