Abstract: A method of determining a service interval for an actuator of a landing gear assembly is suitable for used with a landing gear assembly in which the actuator positions the landing gear assembly between a stowed position and a deployed position. The method includes the steps of determining an actuator travel value for a time interval and increasing a total actuator accumulated travel value by the actuator travel value for the time interval. The method further includes the step of comparing the total actuator accumulated travel value to a predetermined value.

Abstract: A pin for a pinned joint includes a hollow body with a first and second end caps coupled to first and second ends, respectively. The body and the end caps at least partially define a cavity within the body, wherein at least one aperture extends through the hollow body. A main piston is slidably disposed within the cavity and divides the cavity into a first chamber proximate to the first end and a second chamber proximate to the second end and fluidly isolated from an environment around the body. A lubricant is disposed within the first chamber. The main piston moves toward the first end of the body when a pressure in the second chamber is greater than a pressure of the environment. Movement of the main piston toward the first end of the body discharges lubricant through the at least one aperture.

Abstract: A disclosed controller is configured with logic that, when executed, performs actions to extend landing gear of a maglev vehicle. The actions include receiving a height control target value and transitioning between a standby control state and an active control state. The controller maintains the landing gear in a fixed position when the controller is in the standby control state, and the controller controls extension and retraction of the landing gear according to the height control target value when the controller is in the active control state.

Abstract: A maglev system includes a maglev vehicle that reciprocates between a levitated state and a non-levitated state. The vehicle includes a capsule supported by a first left wheel and a corresponding first right wheel when the vehicle is in the non-levitated state. The system further includes a track having a left rail and a right rail, each of the left and right rails having a plurality of plates arranged in series. Proximate ends of adjacent plates define a joint. Each rail provides a support surface that the first left and right wheels rollingly engage when the vehicle is in the non-levitated state. The joints of the left rail are offset in a longitudinal direction from the joints of the right rail.

Abstract: A drive system includes a motor having a rotatable output shaft that is operably coupled to a lead screw by a transmission that converts rotary output of the motor into linear translation of the lead screw. The drive system further includes a position sensor configured to sense a position of the lead screw. A method for determining a backlash of the drive system includes the steps of sensing an initial position and driving the lead screw in a first direction to a calculated second position by controlling the motor to rotate the output shaft an amount that corresponds to a distance between the initial position and the calculated second position. The method further includes the steps of sensing an actual second position of the lead screw; and determining a backlash value according to a difference between the calculated second position and the actual second position.

Abstract: A method for extending a landing gear system for a vehicle is disclosed. The landing gear system includes a first landing gear assembly and a second landing gear assembly. The method includes the steps of sensing a first load on the first landing gear assembly after the first landing gear assembly has reached a wheels-on-ground state and comparing the first load to a first target value. The method further includes the step of controlling an extension speed of the first landing gear assembly according to a difference between the first load and the first target value.

Abstract: A disclosed method extends a support system for a maglev vehicle, the support system having at least a first landing gear assembly and a second landing gear assembly. The method includes the steps of determining a weight-on-wheels status for each of the first and the second landing gear assemblies and determining a distance from each of the first and second landing gear assemblies to a support surface. First and second extension speeds are determined for each of the first and second landing gear assemblies, respectively. The first landing gear assembly is extended at the first extension speed until the first landing gear assembly reaches a weight-on-wheels condition, and the second landing gear assembly is extended at the second extension speed until the second landing gear assembly reaches the weight-on-wheels condition.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for docking and undocking a hyperloop vehicle in a station. The method includes the step of extending a support system to a first position, wherein the support system engages a surface to support the hyperloop vehicle at a first elevation. The method further includes the steps of moving the hyperloop vehicle to a predetermined docking position and engaging a coupler to fixedly position the hyperloop vehicle relative to a docking platform.

Abstract: A disclosed controller is configured with logic that, when executed, performs actions to extend landing gear of a maglev vehicle. The actions include receiving a height control target value and transitioning between a standby control state and an active control state. The controller maintains the landing gear in a fixed position when the controller is in the standby control state, and the controller controls extension and retraction of the landing gear according to the height control target value when the controller is in the active control state.

Abstract: A passive lateral stability system maintains the position of a vehicle relative to a guideway. The system includes first and second guide assemblies that urge the vehicle away from first and second electrically conductive guide walls, respectively. The first guide assembly includes a wheel configured to reciprocate toward and away from the first guide wall. A biasing element bias biases the wheel toward the first guide wall. The system further includes a magnetic element associated with the wheel, wherein movement of the magnetic element relative to the first guide wall produces a magnetic force that biases the wheel away from the first guide wall. A second guide assembly is mounted to the vehicle and urges the vehicle away from the second guide wall.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a control unit for a vehicle is provided. The vehicle may be a maglev vehicle. The control unit is configured to autonomously control positions of landing gear on the vehicle that are extendible and retractable. In some embodiments, the control unit is configured to detect a change in a weight-on-wheels state of the vehicle, and to transition between passively controlling extension or retraction of the landing gear and actively controlling the extension distance of the landing gear in order to maintain a desired distance between the vehicle and a levitation mechanism.

Abstract: A brake assembly is configured for use with a wheel in an ambient environment. The wheel includes a rim rotatably mounted to an axle. The brake assembly includes a brake stack and an actuation assembly configured to selectively apply a force to the brake stack. A cover sealingly engaged the rim to at least partially define a fluidic barrier between a brake cavity and the ambient environment. The brake stack is located within the brake cavity.

Abstract: A method of determining a service interval for an actuator of a landing gear assembly is suitable for used with a landing gear assembly in which the actuator positions the landing gear assembly between a stowed position and a deployed position. The method includes the steps of determining an actuator travel value for a time interval and increasing a total actuator accumulated travel value by the actuator travel value for the time interval. The method further includes the step of comparing the total actuator accumulated travel value to a predetermined value.

Abstract: A method for extending a landing gear system for a vehicle is disclosed. The landing gear system includes a first landing gear assembly and a second landing gear assembly. The method includes the steps of sensing a first load on the first landing gear assembly after the first landing gear assembly has reached a wheels-on-ground state and comparing the first load to a first target value. The method further includes the step of controlling an extension speed of the first landing gear assembly according to a difference between the first load and the first target value.

Abstract: A passive lateral stability system maintains the position of a vehicle relative to a guideway. The system includes first and second guide assemblies that urge the vehicle away from first and second electrically conductive guide walls, respectively. The first guide assembly includes a wheel configured to reciprocate toward and away from the first guide wall. A biasing element bias biases the wheel toward the first guide wall. The system further includes a magnetic element associated with the wheel, wherein movement of the magnetic element relative to the first guide wall produces a magnetic force that biases the wheel away from the first guide wall. A second guide assembly is mounted to the vehicle and urges the vehicle away from the second guide wall.

Abstract: A disclosed method extends a support system for a maglev vehicle, the support system having at least a first landing gear assembly and a second landing gear assembly. The method includes the steps of determining a weight-on-wheels status for each of the first and the second landing gear assemblies and determining a distance from each of the first and second landing gear assemblies to a support surface. First and second extension speeds are determined for each of the first and second landing gear assemblies, respectively. The first landing gear assembly is extended at the first extension speed until the first landing gear assembly reaches a weight-on-wheels condition, and the second landing gear assembly is extended at the second extension speed until the second landing gear assembly reaches the weight-on-wheels condition.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a control unit for a vehicle is provided. The vehicle may be a maglev vehicle. The control unit is configured to autonomously control positions of landing gear on the vehicle that are extendible and retractable. In some embodiments, the control unit is configured to detect a change in a weight-on-wheels state of the vehicle, and to transition between passively controlling extension or retraction of the landing gear and actively controlling the extension distance of the landing gear in order to maintain a desired distance between the vehicle and a levitation mechanism.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for docking and undocking a hyperloop vehicle in a station. The method includes the step of extending a support system to a first position, wherein the support system engages a surface to support the hyperloop vehicle at a first elevation. The method further includes the steps of moving the hyperloop vehicle to a predetermined docking position and engaging a coupler to fixedly position the hyperloop vehicle relative to a docking platform.

Abstract: A shock strut for a vehicle includes a housing with a through channel and a motor mount, and a motor fixed to the housing. The cylinder of a shock strut is configured to define a lead screw on its outer surface. The cylinder extends through the housing. The piston of the shock strut is attached to a ground engaging assembly. A gear nut rotatably mounted in the housing threadably engages the threaded cylinder, and is configured to be driven by the motor. The housing is attached to the vehicle, and the gear nut is controllably rotated to extend and retract the shock strut. A sensor provided on the assembly monitors the position of the shock strut. A torsion link assembly reacts rotational forces on the cylinder.

Abstract: A shock strut for a vehicle includes a housing with a through channel and a motor mount, and a motor fixed to the housing. The cylinder of a shock strut is configured to define a lead screw on its outer surface. The cylinder extends through the housing. The piston of the shock strut is attached to a ground engaging assembly. A gear nut rotatably mounted in the housing threadably engages the threaded cylinder, and is configured to be driven by the motor. The housing is attached to the vehicle, and the gear nut is controllably rotated to extend and retract the shock strut. A sensor provided on the assembly monitors the position of the shock strut. A torsion link assembly reacts rotational forces on the cylinder.