396
11 Landing Gear Technology of Lunar Lander
Fig. 11.24 Static triggering
test
11.6.4 Cushion Performance Test and Verification of Single
Set of Landing Gear Mechanism
The cushion performance test of single set of landing gear mechanism was conducted
to verify whether the cushion and support capacity meets design requirements, as
well as emerge possible defects in design and manufacture process.
The test was generally conducted on specific cushion test bed. The test bed consists
of bearing pillars, track, lift and release device, force measurement platform (or
sandbox filled with analog lunar soil), as shown in Fig. 11.25. The impact cushion
test bed could only provide vertical movement. Therefore, the landing gear was
obliquely installed to simulate landing conditions with specific inclination.
The landing gear was vertically or obliquely installed on the gantry. The gantry
was raised up to a specific height by the lift device. Then the gantry was released
by the release device. The landing gear mechanism with the gantry was landed on
landing surface (force measurement platform or the analog lunar soil) with specific
velocity to simulate landing impact process. Test data was acquired by strain gauges,
displacement sensors and accelerometers on the landing gear mechanism and the
gantry. The data would be analyzed to evaluate cushion performance of single set of
landing gear mechanism. The image of cushion performance test field for single set
of landing gear mechanism is shown in Fig. 11.26.
11 Landing Gear Technology of Lunar Lander
Fig. 11.24 Static triggering
test
11.6.4 Cushion Performance Test and Verification of Single
Set of Landing Gear Mechanism
The cushion performance test of single set of landing gear mechanism was conducted
to verify whether the cushion and support capacity meets design requirements, as
well as emerge possible defects in design and manufacture process.
The test was generally conducted on specific cushion test bed. The test bed consists
of bearing pillars, track, lift and release device, force measurement platform (or
sandbox filled with analog lunar soil), as shown in Fig. 11.25. The impact cushion
test bed could only provide vertical movement. Therefore, the landing gear was
obliquely installed to simulate landing conditions with specific inclination.
The landing gear was vertically or obliquely installed on the gantry. The gantry
was raised up to a specific height by the lift device. Then the gantry was released
by the release device. The landing gear mechanism with the gantry was landed on
landing surface (force measurement platform or the analog lunar soil) with specific
velocity to simulate landing impact process. Test data was acquired by strain gauges,
displacement sensors and accelerometers on the landing gear mechanism and the
gantry. The data would be analyzed to evaluate cushion performance of single set of
landing gear mechanism. The image of cushion performance test field for single set
of landing gear mechanism is shown in Fig. 11.26.