Characterisation of the Extension/Retraction Dynamics of Electrically Powered Landing Gears

The paper describes a simulation model of the electro-mechanical extension and retraction system of the landing gear of regional aircrafts. The main scope of the work is the evaluation of the electrical power absorption of the landing gear system, taking into account the effects of both aerodynamic and inertial loads. The simulation results reported in the paper highlight the relative importance, in terms of power absorption, of the different phenomena considered in the model (weight, inertia and aerodynamics). The mechanical, electrical and control sections of the landing gear system have been modelled in different simulation environments (Modelica-Dymola for the multi-body mechanics, Matlab-Simulink and AMESim for the electric/electronic parts) and then integrated into a Simulink platform for the simulation studies.