ENERGY ABSORBING LANDING GEAR SYSTEM FOR A VERTICAL LANDING APPARATUS AND METHOD OF USING THE SAME

摘要

There is provided an energy absorbing landing gear system (10) for attachment to a vertical landing apparatus. The energy absorbing landing gear system (10) includes a linear damper assembly (12), and a load limiter assembly (14) coupled to the linear damper assembly (12), the load limiter assembly (14) having at least one deformable element (130) to enhance an energy absorption capability. When the energy absorbing landing gear system (10) is attached to the vertical landing apparatus, during a landing phase, the linear damper assembly (12) contacts a landing surface, and a piston assembly (74) of the linear damper assembly (12) moves a first compression distance toward the load limiter assembly (14), and when the linear damper assembly (12) reaches a maximum compression, the linear damper assembly (12) moves a second compression distance into the load limiter assembly (14), and the at least one deformable element (130) deforms.