초록 ▼

An onboard system for use in measuring, computing and displaying the weight and center-of-gravity for aircraft, while keeping aircraft movement to a minimum. Pressure sensors are mounted in relation to each of the landing gear struts. An onboard pump and reservoirs are attached to each of the landin

An onboard system for use in measuring, computing and displaying the weight and center-of-gravity for aircraft, while keeping aircraft movement to a minimum. Pressure sensors are mounted in relation to each of the landing gear struts. An onboard pump and reservoirs are attached to each of the landing gear struts and are activated by a computer/controller, while landing gear strut pressures are monitored in the determination of strut stiction. The computer/controller calculates the stiction of each landing gear strut and compensates for the pressure distortions caused by landing gear strut stiction. Additional features include reducing strut stiction, measuring landing gear strut fluid levels, monitoring landing gear strut health, weight adjustments for external ice and de-icing fluids, weight adjustments for wind, monitoring aircraft landing gear strut movement.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A method of obtaining information about an aircraft, said aircraft being supported by plural pressurized landing gear struts, said landing gear struts experiencing friction, often referred to as stiction, said stiction distorting internal strut pressures as they relate to

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A method of obtaining information about an aircraft, said aircraft being supported by plural pressurized landing gear struts, said landing gear struts experiencing friction, often referred to as stiction, said stiction distorting internal strut pressures as they relate to weights supported by said landing gear struts, said landing gear struts comprising a fluid, said method comprising the steps of:a) changing the amount of said fluid in each of said landing gear struts so as to move said respective landing gear strut in a first direction;b) detecting said movement of each of said landing gear struts;c) upon said detection of said movement of said respective landing gear strut, ceasing to change the amount of said fluid in said respective landing gear strut so as to keep said respective landing gear strut movement to a minimum, so as to minimize aircraft movement and to minimize temperature changes and said pressure distortions caused by said temperature changes of said respective landing gear strut fluid;d) repeating steps a) through c) so as to move each of said respective landing gear strut in a second direction that is opposite to said first direction;e) during steps a) through d) determining the pressure within each of said respective landing gear struts;f) compensating said pressure determinations of said landing gear struts for said distortions caused by said strut stiction.