Launch Bar Dynamics Character Analysis of Carrier-Based Aircraft Catapult Launch

• Main Authors: Qidan Zhu, Peng Lu, Zhibo Yang, Xun Ji, Yu Han, Lipeng Wang
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2019-07-01
• Series: Applied Sciences
• Subjects: catapult launch; launch bar; holdback bar; steam catapult; carrier-based aircraft
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/9/15/3079

The launch bar is a unique device of carrier-based aircraft, which is connected to the nose gear and shuttle. In order to avoid the launch bar striking the flight deck after the launch bar pops out of the shuttle, it is very important to research the dynamics performance of the launch bar. This paper establishes a staged mathematical model of catapult launch including the launch bar, a steam-powered catapult, a holdback bar, and a carrier-based aircraft. This article studied the effect of the mass of the launch bar, restoring moment of the launch bar, and center of gravity position of the launch bar on the dynamics performance of the launch bar. The results showed the following: (1) we could reduce the risk collision of the launch bar and deck by reducing the mass of the launch bar, increasing the restoring moment, and shifting the center of gravity position of the launch bar; (2) under the working condition of this article, we changed the center of gravity position of the launch bar to control the sink of the launch bar end, having the most obvious effect, and we reduced the mass of the launch bar, having the least effect on controlling the sink of the launch bar end; however, reducing the mass of the launch bar could also greatly reduce the risk collision of the launch bar and deck; (3) in order to avoid the launch bar striking the flight deck, the restoring moment of the launch bar must overcome the sum of other moments. The study results can give a theoretical reference for designing and testing the launch bars of carrier-based aircraft. It can also give a theoretical reference for designing and testing the launch bar’s driving mechanisms.