The University of Jordan

Faculty of Engineering & Technology

Mechanical Engineering Department
Design of Hydraulic & Pneumatic System (0904537)
Second Semester 2013/2014

Hydraulic System of
Landing Gear in
Aircraft
:By
AHMAD NAZIH
Reg. Number: 0095626
April-2014-17

Introduction
Hydraulics is based on the fact that
liquids are incompressible.
Hydraulic system is a system where
liquid under pressure is used to
transmit energy.
In it a hydraulic pump converts
mechanical power to hydraulic
power.
An actuating cylinder converts
hydraulic power to mechanical

Aircraft Manufacturers make greater use of hydraulic

systems than others, the hydraulic system of the
. average modern aircraft performs many functions

Hydraulic systems determine flight worthiness, usability

. and reliability

Basic Hydraulic System

Types of Hydraulic Fluids

There are three types of hydraulic fluids currently being
used in
:civil aircraft
1. Vegetable Base Hydraulic Fluid;
Composed of caster oil and alcohol, used in older
type aircraft and flammable.
2. Mineral Base Hydraulic Fluid;
Processed from petroleum and its flammable.
3. Phosphate Ester Base Fluid (Skydrol);
Non- petroleum, fire-resistance, Low corrosive side
effect, Low weight.

Functions of Landing Gear

i.

Support the static load of an aircraft on

ground.
ii. Absorb the landing shocks.
iii. Dampen the vibration.
iv. Facilitate aircraft for take off and landing.
v. Providing the aircraft the braking and
steering functions.

Landing Gear System

Retraction Process of Landing

Gear

Extension System Operation

i.
ii.

iii.
iv.
v.

To lower the landing gear, the pilot moves

the landing gear handle to the GEAR-DOWN
position and these events take place.
The landing gear handle actuates a switch
that turns on the hydraulic pump motor in the
power pack so that it turns in the direction
shown by the arrows in figure A.
Fluid flow through the passage and check
valve on the right side of the pump and
around the outside of the gears.
The output from the pump moves the gearup check valve piston to the right an unseat
the gear-up check valve.
Fluid flow into the down side of the three
actuating cylinder and forces the pistons out.
The nose gear is much easier to move than
the main gears, so the fluid flows into and
out of the nose gear actuating cylinder
through restrictor.

i.
ii.

iii.

iv.

v.

Retraction System Operation

When the aircraft is in the air, the pilot can

retract the landing gear by moving the
landing gear handle to the GEAR-UP.
The landing gear handle actuates a switch
that turns on the hydraulic pump motor in the
power pack so that it turns in the direction
shown in Figure B .
Fluid flow through the filter and the check
valve on the left side of the pump, around
the gears and out the right side, down to the
gear-up check valve.
The fluid from the pump moves the gear-up
check valve piston to the left, and the fluid
unseat the ball and flow to the gear-up side
of each of the gear actuating cylinders. The
first movement of the piston releases the
mechanical down locks and allows the gear
to retract.
Fluid return from the gear-down side of the
actuator past the shuttle valve, which the
spring has forced to the right, back into the
reservoir.

Emergency Extension
System
Some aircraft have an emergency release
handle in the flight deck that is connected through
a mechanical linkage to the gear up locks.
When the handle is operated, it releases the up
locks and allows the gear to free-fall to the
extended position under the force created by
gravity acting upon the gear.
Other aircraft use a non-mechanical back-up, as
pneumatic power, to unlatch the gear.
Landing Gear Positioning Indicator
i.
GREEN light is to indicate that the LG is DOWN and in
LOCKED position.
iv.
RED light indicates the unsafe condition such as the LG is
NOT DOWN and still in UNLOCKED or indicates that the LG
is still in transition from UP to DOWN position or vice-versa.
v.
NO LIGHT will indicate that the LG is fully UP and
LOCKED.