1102

Item 1102

DESIGN: UniCopter ~ Landing Gear - Retractable - Tripod - Skids

Drawing:

General Notes:

The slope on the top of the skid is for strength (box section) and to reduce any dirt or twigs etc. remaining with the skid during retraction.

Have the skid viewable from the cockpit. Perhaps the bottom of the cockpit where the skid goes is open to the outside and the retracted skid closes the opening. This might result in loose items in the cockpit falling through the opening.

For calculated location of supports, see DESIGN: UniCopter ~ Landing Gear

Front Support:

Consider making the front skid with a channel shape, with the flanges turned up and wide. (deep). The flanges will add strength, but more importantly they will allow for wipers to be placed on either side of the opening in the fuselage and these wipers should wipe any 'gunk' off of the portion of the skid that goes into the fuselage, when the skid is retracted.

In addition there could be a 1/2" gap between the walls of the opening and the flanges on the skid. This will allow some gunk' to not stop the retraction of the skid. The rubber scrapper will fill these two 1/2" gaps.

When the motor is running, some of the exiting cooling air could blow out onto the skid as it retracts, thereby blowing of any light debris. Full retraction of the skid could block off the exiting cooling air, or if there is negative pressure in this area during all modes of flight, just let some of the exiting cooling air excape at all times. The negative pressure will help with at air flow.

A warning device may be required to indicate complete closure. However, a simple visual means might be more reliable and praclical.

Rear Supports:

Mockup Pictures:

Sketches:

Notes:

The mechanism should probably be attached to the fuselage, but at a location very close to engine /power-train mounting location(s).
The rotation is very close to 90º.
The support legs can be shaped to suit the fuselage and the plies laid up to suit the desired bending motion.
Both rear legs will be visible to the pilot during retraction. Therefore if they are 'dirty' he can fly slowly to a clean area, get out and clear off the leg/skid.

Thoughts:

One longitudinally placed cylinder under the seat could position all supports. It could be double ended or floating cylinder.

Deployment Backup:

Consider a second hydraulic pump connected to the X-rotor shaft.

What can be used to assure that the supports will not extend when the forward velocity is high?

Concerns:

Will the supports always be free of debris when they retract to up against the fuselage?

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Last Revised: November 23, 2006