VTVL concept optimisation of the landing gear

Abstract

Vertical takeoff, vertical landing (VTVL) is a subject of international interest at the moment thanks to the successful recovery of the Blue Origin vehicle. Aggressive weight targets with a short development time in the aerospace and space industry clearly need an integration of advanced computer aided structural optimization methods. Topological optimization is used from the concept phase of a design process development in order to obtain a fundamental design approach. The aim of the article is to determine the principal directions for distribution of the material for a VTVL landing gear within the specified volume in order to obtain the initial design approach. To achieve the maximum performance within the studied component, the result is then refined from a manufacturability point of view. The use of such methods notably reduces the development iterations between the design and stress departments. Thus, the overall time is reduced which translates into a lower overall cost and shorter time development from the concept to the final product.

Keywords

• VTVL
• landing gear
• structural optimisation
• topological optimisation
• low mass