Load Detection and Fatigue Health Monitoring Equipment Design for Landing Gears

Abstract

The Weight on Wheel system on an aircraft gives an indication of whether the aircraft has weight on its wheels, meaning the airborne is on the ground. This system monitors the loads appearing on each Landing Gear structure. It sends a status signal to Landing gear computer that manage the redundant signals coming from each WOW systems. The management of these signals gives the information needed to activate “on ground” configuration of aircraft for braking control laws. “On ground” configuration specifies maximum load conditions and requirements for shock absorbers design for each type of aircraft (heavy freighters, military transport …) Based on CESA experience on this field, a new approach oriented to fatigue health monitoring, is presented here. Current WOW system could be modified allowing a continuous monitoring of loads experienced by Landing Gear structure. This will optimize the life cycle of the aircraft by checking individually the status of different structural parts of each Landing Gear. Therefore, it will improve maintenance actions that will be performed only when needed. Load detection and monitoring of landing gears provides a valuable and useful information data to predict accurately the accumulated fatigue damage on landing gear components.