Abstract: An aircraft hydraulic actuation system for retracting an aircraft landing gear. The actuation system includes a supply line arranged to carry hydraulic fluid pressurised by a pump, a return line arranged to return hydraulic fluid to a reservoir, and a hydraulic actuator 128. In a first mode of operation, a first chamber 130 of the actuator 128 is supplied with pressurised hydraulic fluid from the supply line such that a piston 134 is moved in a first direction so as to move a load such as a landing gear. In a second mode of operation, the first chamber 130 is taken out of fluid communication with the supply line and a second chamber 132 is in fluid communication with the return line, such that the piston 134 is able to be moved under the influence of the load, for example when the landing gear extends under gravity.

Abstract: A landing gear system controller for controlling a landing gear system of an aircraft. The controller is configured to receive a request to operate a non-landing gear system element of the aircraft, and to cause operation of at least part of the landing gear system of the aircraft during a take-off or landing procedure on the basis of the request.

Abstract: A method of operating a landing gear controller for an aircraft, including: the landing gear controller receiving one or more signals from at least one position sensor. The one or more signals indicate a position of one of a landing gear bay door and a landing gear when the landing gear bay door or the landing gear, respectively, is part way through a range of travel between two limits of travel. The method may also include the landing gear controller controlling movement of the other of the landing gear bay door and the landing gear on the basis of the one or more signals.

Abstract: A method of extending a landing gear of an aircraft is disclosed. The aircraft includes an uplock arranged to retain the landing gear in a retracted position, a primary landing gear system configured to retract and extend the landing gear, and an alternate landing gear system, independent from the primary landing gear system. The method includes the primary landing gear system holding the landing gear in place while the uplock is moved from a first configuration to a second configuration by the alternate landing gear system.

Abstract: A single acting actuator for an aircraft landing gear assembly is disclosed having a piston mounted in a cavity and moveable relative to a housing between a retracted position and an extended position, the piston dividing the cavity into first and second pressure chambers. At least one of the pressure chambers is associated with first and second outlets, with the actuator being arranged such that, in respect of the relative movement in which the pressure chamber is the decreasing volume pressure chamber, in a first stage of the relative movement the first and second outlets are open thereby allowing actuator fluid to flow out of the pressure chamber through the first and second outlets and in a second stage of the relative movement the second outlet is open but the first outlet is closed, thereby acting to slow the relative movement of the piston with respect to the housing.

Abstract: An aircraft control system 100 operably connected to a landing gear and a landing gear bay door of an aircraft 400. The system includes: a user interface 10 to receive manual inputs of first and second requests and a landing gear controller 20 configured to: receive a first indication indicative of user-operation of the user interface to input the first request, and to initiate movement of the landing gear bay door from a closed position to an open position on the basis of the first indication without initiating movement of the landing gear between an extended position and a retracted position; and receive a second indication indicative of user-operation of the user interface to input the second request, and to initiate movement of the landing gear between the extended position and the retracted position on the basis of the second indication.

Abstract: A landing gear system 100 for an aircraft including: a landing gear 130 that is movable between an extended position and a retracted position, the landing gear includes an extendible strut 136; a position sensor 140 configured to detect a position of a part of the extendible strut and output a signal indicative of the position; and a landing gear controller 150 that is communicably connected to the position sensor and is configured, in use, to: receive the signal from the position sensor; and, on the basis of the signal, determine that the strut has extended and the landing gear is in contact with the ground and automatically cause performance of at least a portion of a procedure to move the landing gear from the extended position to the retracted position.

Abstract: An system (10) for an aircraft (1) including a controller (100) configured to receive at least one signal during a take-off procedure of the aircraft. The signal includes information representative of at least one parameter of the aircraft. The controller is configured to determine whether a current or future aircraft climb rate associated with the take-off procedure meets a criterion, on the basis of the at least one signal. The controller is configured to determine at least one remedial action to be taken, such as performance of at least a portion of a procedure to retract a landing gear of the aircraft, when the controller determines that the aircraft climb rate does not meet the criterion.

Abstract: An aircraft hydraulic actuation system for retracting an aircraft landing gear. The actuation system includes a supply line arranged to carry hydraulic fluid pressurized by a pump, a return line arranged to return hydraulic fluid to a reservoir, and a hydraulic actuator 128. In a first mode of operation, a first chamber 130 of the actuator 128 is supplied with pressurized hydraulic fluid from the supply line such that a piston 134 is moved in a first direction so as to move a load such as a landing gear. In a second mode of operation, the first chamber 130 is taken out of fluid communication with the supply line and a second chamber 132 is in fluid communication with the return line, such that the piston 134 is able to be moved under the influence of the load, for example when the landing gear extends under gravity.

Abstract: A method of operating a landing gear controller for an aircraft, including: the landing gear controller receiving one or more signals from at least one position sensor. The one or more signals indicate a position of one of a landing gear bay door and a landing gear when the landing gear bay door or the landing gear, respectively, is part way through a range of travel between two limits of travel. The method may also include the landing gear controller controlling movement of the other of the landing gear bay door and the landing gear on the basis of the one or more signals.

Abstract: An aircraft landing gear control system 1000 configured to be operably connected to one or more landing gear systems 30, 40 of an aircraft. The aircraft landing gear control system includes a controller 20 configured to: send at least one output for initiating operation of the one or more landing gear systems; determine whether at least one landing gear system of the one or more landing gear systems has failed to operate correctly in response to the at least one output; and determine at least one remedial action to be taken, when the controller determines that the at least one landing gear system has failed to operate correctly.

Abstract: A single acting actuator for an aircraft landing gear assembly is disclosed having a piston mounted in a cavity and moveable relative to a housing between a retracted position and an extended position, the piston dividing the cavity into first and second pressure chambers. At least one of the pressure chambers is associated with first and second outlets, with the actuator being arranged such that, in respect of the relative movement in which the pressure chamber is the decreasing volume pressure chamber, in a first stage of the relative movement the first and second outlets are open thereby allowing actuator fluid to flow out of the pressure chamber through the first and second outlets and in a second stage of the relative movement the second outlet is open but the first outlet is closed, thereby acting to slow the relative movement of the piston with respect to the housing.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a high precision hollow metallic component, by obtaining, through extruding or roll forming, a precursor hollow metallic profile having a constant cross section and at least one precursor chamber; positioning the precursor hollow metallic profile in a split-die cavity, wherein at least two walls of said split die cavity have essentially outside dimensions of corresponding walls of the high-precision hollow metallic component; introducing a mandrel made of at least two parts into the precursor chamber; plastically deforming the precursor hollow metallic profile by expanding the mandrel to obtain finished dimensions of the high-precision hollow metallic component; removing the mandrel from the finished chamber after reversing an expanding action. A variable cross section hollow metallic component, with at least two chambers obtained with the method, is also described.

Abstract: A landing gear system controller for controlling a landing gear system of an aircraft. The controller is configured to receive a request to operate a non-landing gear system element of the aircraft, and to cause operation of at least part of the landing gear system of the aircraft during a take-off or landing procedure on the basis of the request.

Abstract: An aircraft control system 100 operably connected to a landing gear and a landing gear bay door of an aircraft 400. The system includes: a user interface 10 to receive manual inputs of first and second requests and a landing gear controller 20 configured to: receive a first indication indicative of user-operation of the user interface to input the first request, and to initiate movement of the landing gear bay door from a closed position to an open position on the basis of the first indication without initiating movement of the landing gear between an extended position and a retracted position; and receive a second indication indicative of user-operation of the user interface to input the second request, and to initiate movement of the landing gear between the extended position and the retracted position on the basis of the second indication.

Abstract: An aircraft landing gear control system 1000 configured to be operably connected to one or more landing gear systems 30, 40 of an aircraft. The aircraft landing gear control system includes a controller 20 configured to: send at least one output for initiating operation of the one or more landing gear systems; determine whether at least one landing gear system of the one or more landing gear systems has failed to operate correctly in response to the at least one output; and determine at least one remedial action to be taken, when the controller determines that the at least one landing gear system has failed to operate correctly.

Abstract: A landing gear system 100 for an aircraft including: a landing gear 130 that is movable between an extended position and a retracted position, the landing gear includes an extendible strut 136; a position sensor 140 configured to detect a position of a part of the extendible strut and output a signal indicative of the position; and a landing gear controller 150 that is communicably connected to the position sensor and is configured, in use, to: receive the signal from the position sensor; and, on the basis of the signal, determine that the strut has extended and the landing gear is in contact with the ground and automatically cause performance of at least a portion of a procedure to move the landing gear from the extended position to the retracted position

Abstract: A flexible body comprises a polymer film having a first surface and an opposing second surface. The polymer film has a plurality of apertures extending from the first surface to the second surface and a plurality of raised lips protruding from the first surface such that each of the plurality of apertures is surrounded by one of the plurality of raised lips. A method of producing a polymer film comprises placing a polymer solution into a one sided mold having a plurality of protrusions extending from a bottom of the mold wherein the polymer solution is characterized by a viscosity that inhibits the unaided flow of the polymer throughout the mold; urging the polymer solution around each of the plurality of protrusions; and solidifying the polymer solution.

Abstract: A system for reaming a medullary canal of a bone, comprises a reamer device including an elongated member and a reamer head rotatably coupled to a distal end of the elongated member and a drive shaft sized and shaped to be inserted through the elongated member so that a first connector at a distal end of the drive shaft is engagable with the reamer head, rotation of the drive shaft rotates the reamer head relative to the elongated member, the drive shaft including a channel extending longitudinally therethrough and a hole extending laterally therethrough from a first opening through a first side wall of the drive shaft to a second opening through a second side wall of the drive shaft in combination with a seal configured to be inserted through the hole of the drive shaft so that the seal extends across the channel of the drive shaft.

Abstract: A flexible body comprises a polymer film having a first surface and an opposing second surface. The polymer film has a plurality of apertures extending from the first surface to the second surface and a plurality of raised lips protruding from the first surface such that each of the plurality of apertures is surrounded by one of the plurality of raised lips. A method of producing a polymer film comprises placing a polymer solution into a one sided mold having a plurality of protrusions extending from a bottom of the mold wherein the polymer solution is characterized by a viscosity that inhibits the unaided flow of the polymer throughout the mold; urging the polymer solution around each of the plurality of protrusions; and solidifying the polymer solution.