Vibration control of a landing gear system featuring electrorheological/magnetorheological fluids

The feasibility and effectiveness of electrorheological (ER) and magnetorheological (MR) fluid-based landing gear systems on attenuating dynamic load and vibration due to,the landing impact are demonstrated. First, the theoretical model for ER/MR shock struts, which are the main components of the landing gear system, is developed based on experimental data. The analysis of a telescopic-type landing gear system using the ER/MR shock struts is theoretically constructed, and its governing equation is derived. A sliding mode controller, designed to be robust against parameter variations and external disturbances, is formulated, and controlled performance of the simulated ER/MR landing gear system is theoretically evaluated during touchdown of the aircraft.