Brake cooling control system

Abstract

The invention relates to a brake cooling control system. In some examples, a cooling system defines a first flow path for a first gas flow and a second flow path for a second gas flow. The cooling system is configured to combine the first gas stream and the second gas stream to produce a mixed gas stream and to provide the mixed gas stream to cool a brake assembly of the wheel. A control circuit is configured to adjust a flow rate of the second gas flow based on a pressure and / or other flow parameter of the first gas flow. In an example, the control circuit is configured to initiate and / or substantially stop cooling of the brake assembly based on a temperature signal indicative of a temperature of the brake assembly.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a brake system for a vehicle. Background Art

[0002] Vehicles such as aircraft may use wheel brake assemblies that include multi-disc brake assemblies. For example, a multi-disc brake assembly may include a stack of discs that includes a plurality of rotor discs that engage a wheel and a plurality of stator discs that are interleaved with the rotor discs. The rotor discs and the wheel are configured to rotate about an axis, while the stator discs remain stationary. To decelerate the rotational movement of the rotating wheel, the brake assembly may displace a piston against a pressure plate to compress the rotating rotor discs that engage the wheel against the stationary stator discs, thereby generating a torque that decelerates the rotational movement of the wheel. In some examples, the rotor discs may engage the wheel via rotor drive keys positioned on an inner surface of the wheel. In some examples, the stator discs may engage a stationary torque tube that surrounds the axis via splines positioned on the torque tube. In some such examples, the brake assembly may be configured to compress the rotor discs and the stator discs between the piston and a backing plate supported by the torque tube. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The present disclosure describes devices, systems, and techniques related to cooling one or more components of a wheel brake assembly of a vehicle. When the brake assembly is applied to stop and / or slow down the vehicle, one or more components of the brake assembly may generate heat energy via friction. One or more components may need to be cooled before the brake assembly is reapplied to prevent failure and / or damage of the brake assembly. In some examples, there may be sufficient time between applications of the brake assembly to allow natural cooling of one or more components of the brake assembly. For example, the vehicle may be stationary for a sufficient amount of time to allow one or more components to naturally cool to a threshold temperature range. In some examples, there may not be sufficient time to allow natural cooling of one or more components. In such examples, an operator of the vehicle may need to enable a brake cooling system of the vehicle to actively cool one or more components (e.g., via one or more gas flows, via one or more fans). Requiring the operator to manually enable and / or disable the active brake cooling system may distract the operator from the operation of the vehicle.

[0004] The present disclosure describes example devices, methods, and systems for automatically enabling and / or disabling a brake cooling system based on meeting one or more threshold conditions. The threshold conditions may correspond to, but are not limited to, the speed of a vehicle, the state of the vehicle (e.g., whether the vehicle is on the ground, whether the vehicle is in the air), the temperature of a brake of the brake cooling system, and / or the state of the brake cooling system. In some examples, the cooling systems described herein may enable the brake cooling system to cool one or more components of a brake assembly (e.g., a brake) based on meeting one or more threshold conditions. For example, the cooling system may enable the brake cooling system based on determining that the state of the brake cooling system meets a threshold condition and the vehicle meets one or more other threshold conditions. The cooling system may disable the brake cooling system based on determining that one or more threshold conditions are no longer met.

[0005] The devices, systems, and methods described herein may provide several technical advantages over other vehicle brake assembly cooling systems. By enabling and disabling the brake cooling system based on meeting or not meeting threshold conditions, respectively, the example devices, systems, and methods described herein may reduce unnecessary cooling of one or more components of the brake assembly, thereby reducing unnecessary power consumption. In some examples, the devices, systems, and methods described herein may automatically enable or disable the brake cooling system based on one or more threshold conditions, which may reduce the amount of information output to an operator and / or actions the operator needs to perform, thereby reducing the likelihood of operator distraction during operation of the vehicle. The example devices, systems, and methods may be implemented on existing vehicles with minor or no modification to existing vehicles, brake assemblies, and brake cooling systems, which may allow existing vehicles to cool brake assemblies with increased efficiency in accordance with the present disclosure without requiring significant and costly modifications.

[0006] In some examples, the present disclosure describes a system for a vehicle, the system comprising: a plurality of sensors, wherein at least one of the plurality of sensors is coupled to a brake assembly of the vehicle; a brake control unit, the brake control unit comprising processing circuitry and being coupled to the plurality of sensors and a brake cooling device of the vehicle, wherein the brake cooling device is configured to cool the brake assembly of the vehicle, and wherein the brake control unit is configured to: receive signals corresponding to the temperature of the one or more brakes, the state of the vehicle, and the cooling rate of the brake cooling device from the plurality of sensors; cause the brake cooling device to begin cooling the one or more brakes in response to: determining that the cooling rate of the brake cooling device meets a threshold cooling rate; and one or more of: determining that the temperature of the one or more brakes meets a threshold temperature, or determining that the state of the vehicle meets at least one of one or more threshold states.

[0007] In some examples, the present disclosure describes a method, the method comprising: receiving, by a brake control unit of a vehicle, signals corresponding to the temperature of one or more brakes of the vehicle, the state of the vehicle, and the state of a brake cooling device of the vehicle from one or more sensors of the vehicle; determining, by the brake control unit, that the state of the brake control unit meets a threshold brake control unit state; determining, by the brake control unit, that the received signals meet one or more threshold conditions, wherein the one or more threshold conditions include one or more of the following conditions: a threshold brake temperature; or one or more threshold vehicle states; and causing, by the brake control unit, the brake cooling device to actively cool the one or more brakes in response to determining that the received signals meet the one or more threshold conditions and that the state of the brake control unit meets the threshold brake control unit state.

[0008] In some examples, the present disclosure describes a computer-readable medium that includes instructions that, when executed, cause a processing circuit of a brake control unit of a vehicle to perform the following operations: receive signals corresponding to the temperature of one or more brakes of the vehicle, the state of the vehicle, and the state of a brake cooling device of the vehicle from one or more sensors of the vehicle; determine that the state of the brake control unit meets a threshold brake control unit state; determine that the received signals meet one or more threshold conditions, where the one or more threshold conditions include one or more of the following conditions: a threshold brake temperature; or one or more threshold vehicle states; and in response to determining that the received signals meet the one or more threshold conditions and the state of the brake control unit meets the threshold brake control unit state, cause the brake cooling device to actively cool the one or more brakes.

[0009] Details of one or more examples are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the following description. Other features, objects, and advantages will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Figure 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example vehicle cooling system as described herein.

[0011] Figure 2 is illustrative of Figure 1 Another example view of the vehicle cooling system.

[0012] Figure 3 is illustrative of Figure 1 An example decision tree of the vehicle cooling system.

[0013] Figure 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example process for cooling a brake assembly of a vehicle cooling system.

[0014] Figure 5 is a flowchart illustrating another example process for cooling a brake assembly of a vehicle cooling system.

[0015] Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example process for terminating cooling of a brake assembly of a vehicle by a brake cooling device of a vehicle cooling system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] The present disclosure describes articles, systems, and techniques related to cooling components including a wheel and a brake assembly. The wheel is configured to rotate about a wheel axis. The brake assembly may include a stack of discs, the stack of discs including one or more rotor discs and one or more stator discs. For example, the stack of discs may include a plurality of rotor discs interleaved with a plurality of stator discs. The rotor discs are rotationally coupled to the wheel such that rotation of the wheel about the wheel axis causes rotation of the rotor discs about the wheel axis. The stator discs are configured to remain substantially stationary relative to the wheel and the rotor discs. The brake assembly is configured to compress the stack of discs to cause engagement of friction surfaces on the rotating rotor discs and the stationary stator discs, thereby reducing the rotational speed of the rotor discs about the wheel axis. The rotor discs are configured to engage the wheel such that a decrease in the rotational speed of the rotor discs causes a decrease in the speed of the wheel.

[0017] Engagement of the friction surfaces of the rotating rotor discs and the stationary stator discs can cause an increase in the temperature of the rotor discs, the stator discs, or other components of the brake assembly. In some cases (e.g., after an aircraft lands), it may be desirable to supply a cooling fluid (e.g., coolant, cooling gas) to the stack of discs or other parts of the brake assembly to more quickly reduce the temperature. An operator of a vehicle may engage a brake cooling system of the vehicle to cool a portion of the brake assembly of the vehicle. In some vehicles having a brake cooling system, it may be necessary for the operator to manually enable and disable the brake cooling system. The requirement for manual operation of the brake cooling system may (e.g., by cooling the brake assembly when active cooling of the brake assembly is not needed, or vice versa) reduce the cooling efficiency of the brake assembly and / or unnecessarily increase wear on the components of the brake cooling system. In some examples, the requirement for the operator to enable / disable the brake cooling system may result in an increase in the delay between using the brake assembly and actively cooling the brake assembly via the cooling system and / or an increase in operator distraction.

[0018] In the examples described herein, a cooling system for a brake assembly of a vehicle is configured to actively cool the brake assembly in response to meeting a threshold condition. The threshold condition may correspond to a state of the vehicle, a speed of the vehicle, a temperature of a component of the brake assembly, a state of the cooling system, etc. By actively cooling the brake assembly in response to meeting the threshold condition, the cooling system described herein can improve the efficiency of cooling the brake assembly, for example, by reducing the delay in starting to cool the brake assembly and by reducing unnecessary active cooling of the brake assembly. Although the cooling system is described with reference to an aircraft, in other examples, the cooling system may be used with other vehicles (such as land vehicles, watercraft, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), etc.). The cooling system may be integrated into the vehicle.

[0019] Figure 1is a block diagram illustrating an example vehicle cooling system 100 (also referred to herein as "system 100") as described herein. System 100 may include one or more components that are disposed within or otherwise coupled to a vehicle 102. System 100 may include: one or more sensors 108 that are coupled to wheels 104 of vehicle 102; one or more brake cooling devices 114 that are coupled to a brake assembly 106 of vehicle 102; and a brake control unit (BCU) 112 that is coupled to sensors 108 and brake cooling devices 114. BCU 112 may receive sensed signals from sensors 108 and determine, at least in part based on the sensed signals, whether vehicle 102 meets one or more threshold conditions. In response to determining that one or more threshold conditions are met, BCU 112 may send a signal to brake cooling devices 114 to actively cool brake assembly 106, such as by delivering a cooling fluid to one or more components of brake assembly 106.

[0020] Brake assembly 106 may be configured to interface with wheels 104 of vehicle 102 to slow or stop vehicle 102, such as by slowing or stopping rotation of wheels 104. Brake assembly 106 may include a stack of discs that includes one or more rotor discs and one or more stator discs. In other examples, brake assembly 106 may include other components for slowing or stopping rotation of wheels 104 of vehicle 102. The stack of discs of brake assembly 106 may include a plurality of rotor discs interleaved with a plurality of stator discs. Each brake assembly 106 may be coupled to one or more of wheels 104. A rotor disc may be rotatably coupled to one of wheels 104 such that rotation of wheels 104 about a wheel axis causes rotation of the rotor disc about the wheel axis. A stator disc may be configured to remain substantially stationary relative to wheels 104 and rotor discs. Brake assembly 106 may be configured to compress the stack of discs to cause engagement of friction surfaces on the rotating rotor discs and stationary stator discs, thereby reducing the rotational speed of the rotor discs about the wheel axis. The rotor discs are configured to engage wheels 104 such that a decrease in the rotational speed of the rotor discs causes a decrease in the speed of wheels 104.

[0021] The sensor 108 can be coupled to the wheel 104, the brake assembly 106, and / or the brake cooling device 114, and can be configured to sense signals from the wheel 104, the brake assembly 106, and / or the brake cooling device 114. In some examples, one or more of the sensors 108 can be coupled to the wheel 104 and can sense signals corresponding to the rotation of the wheel 104, for example, based on visual signals, electrical signals from magnetic elements of the sensor 108, etc. In some examples, when the vehicle 102 is an aircraft, the sensor 108 can include one or more sensors of a wheel-on-weights (WOW) system configured to sense forces acting on one or more of the wheels 104. In some examples, one or more of the sensors 108 (e.g., the temperature sensor 110) can be coupled to one or more components of the brake assembly 106 (e.g., coupled to one or more rotor disks, coupled to one or more stator disks). In such examples, the temperature sensor 110 can sense signals corresponding to the temperature of one or more components of the brake assembly 106. The temperature sensor 110 can include, but is not limited to, a brake temperature probe.

[0022] The BCU 112 can be coupled to the sensor 108, the brake cooling device 114, the communication circuit 116, the memory 118, and the user interface (UI) 120 of the vehicle 102. The BCU 112 can receive information from the sensor 108, the communication circuit 116, the memory 118, and / or the UI 120, and determine whether the vehicle 102 meets one or more threshold conditions based on the received information. If the vehicle 102 meets one or more threshold conditions, the BCU 112 can transmit a signal to the brake cooling device 114 to cause the brake cooling device 114 to start cooling the brake assembly 106. In some examples, if the BCU 112 determines that the vehicle 102 no longer meets one or more threshold conditions while the brake cooling device 114 is cooling the brake assembly 106, then the BCU 112 can transmit a signal to the brake cooling device 114 to cause the brake cooling device 14 to stop cooling the brake assembly 106.

[0023] The BCU 112 may include a processing circuit 113. The processing circuit 113 may retrieve instructions from the memory 118 and execute the instructions to determine that a threshold condition is met and to control the brake cooling device 114. The processing circuit 113 may be implemented in any one of a variety of types of solid-state circuit elements, such as a CPU, a CPU core, a GPU, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a mixed-signal integrated circuit, a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a microcontroller, a programmable logic controller (PLC), a programmable logic device (PLD), a complex PLD (CPLD), a system on a chip (SoC), any sub-part of any of the foregoing elements, any interconnection or distributed combination of any of the foregoing elements, or any other integrated or discrete logic circuit, or any other type of component or one or more components capable of being configured according to any of the embodiments disclosed herein.

[0024] The processing circuit 113 may determine values of one or more parameters of the vehicle 102. The parameters may include, but are not limited to, the speed of the vehicle 102, the state of the vehicle 102 (e.g., the WOW state of the vehicle 102), the temperature of components of the brake assembly 106, or the state of the brake cooling device 114. The processing circuit 113 may determine the speed of the vehicle 102 based at least in part on a signal from the sensor 108 indicative of the rotational speed of the wheel 104, a signal received from an external navigation / guidance system (e.g., via the communication circuit 116) indicative of the speed of the vehicle 102, etc. In some examples, the processing circuit 113 determines whether the vehicle 102 is on the ground or in the air based at least in part on a signal from the WOW sensor of the sensor 108 indicative of a force (e.g., weight) on the wheel 104. The processing circuit 113 may determine the temperature of components of the brake assembly 106 based on a sensed signal from the temperature sensor 110, the sensed signal corresponding to the temperature of components of the brake assembly 106.

[0025] The status of the vehicle 102 may include, but is not limited to, whether the vehicle 102 is stationary or whether the vehicle 102 is in the air. The processing circuitry 113 may determine the status of the vehicle 102 at least in part based on signals from the sensors 108 or from an external navigation / guidance system via the communication circuitry 116. The status of the brake cooling device 114 may include, but is not limited to, the cooling rate of the brake cooling device 114 or the operating condition of one or more components of the brake cooling device 114. When the brake cooling device 114 actively cools the brake assembly 106 (e.g., at a time prior to the current time), the processing circuitry 113 may determine the cooling rate of the brake cooling device 114 based on temperature data of the brake assembly 106 obtained via the temperature sensor 110. The processing circuitry 113 may determine the operating condition of one or more components of the brake cooling device 114 based on the cooling rate of the brake cooling device 114 and / or the time period since record maintenance of the brake cooling device 114 began. The processing circuitry 113 may retrieve the previous maintenance time of the brake cooling device 114 from the memory 180, from an external storage device / system via the communication circuitry 116, or from user input via the UI 120.

[0026] The processing circuitry 113 may compare the values of one or more parameters with threshold conditions for those parameters. Based on determining that the vehicle 102 is traveling at a speed less than or equal to a threshold speed (e.g., the wheel speed of the vehicle 102 is less than or equal to the threshold speed), the processing circuitry 113 may determine that the vehicle 102 meets the threshold condition (e.g., the threshold speed). Based on determining that the temperature of the brake assembly 106 is greater than or equal to a threshold temperature, the processing circuitry 113 may determine that the vehicle 102 meets the threshold brake assembly temperature. The processing circuitry 113 may determine that the vehicle 102 is in a threshold vehicle status (e.g., on the ground), and / or that the brake cooling device 114 is in a threshold brake cooling device status (e.g., the cooling rate is greater than or equal to a threshold cooling rate and has been maintained for a time period less than or equal to a threshold time period prior to the current time).

[0027] Based on meeting one or more different threshold conditions, the processing circuit 113 can transmit a signal to the brake cooling device 114 to cause the brake cooling device 114 to start cooling the brake assembly 106, with each threshold condition corresponding to a different parameter. Based on meeting the threshold state of the brake cooling device 114 and one or more of the threshold speed, threshold brake assembly temperature, or threshold state of the vehicle 102, the processing circuit 113 can transmit a signal to enable the brake cooling device 114. In some examples, in addition to any combination of other threshold conditions, it may be necessary to meet the threshold state of the brake cooling device 114, for example, to inhibit the unintended operation of the brake cooling device 114 when the brake cooling device 114 is damaged, worn, or otherwise unable to effectively cool the brake assembly 106.

[0028] The brake cooling device 114 can be configured to transfer a cooling fluid (e.g., from a fluid source, from outside the vehicle 102) to the brake assembly 106. The cooling fluid can be a liquid (e.g., a liquid coolant) or a gas (e.g., air). The brake cooling device 114 can include, but is not limited to, a cooling fan assembly, a cooling pump assembly, etc. The brake cooling device 114 can include a motor configured to rotate or operate a fan or pump of the brake cooling device 114 to cool the brake assembly 106. The brake cooling device 114 can cool the fluid before transferring the fluid to the brake assembly 106. The brake cooling device 114 can transfer the fluid to the brake assembly 106 in response to a first signal from the BCU 112 and can stop the transfer of the fluid in response to a second signal from the BCU 112. The second signal can be different from the first signal. In some examples, the brake cooling device 114 forms a complete circuit for the fluid. In such examples, the brake cooling device 114 can circulate the fluid into the brake assembly 106, out of the brake assembly 106 (e.g., into a fluid reservoir, into a compressor), and then back to the brake assembly 106 to continuously cool the brake assembly 106. The vehicle 102 can include a single brake cooling device 114 or two or more brake cooling devices 114 coupled to the brake assembly 106 of the wheel 104. In such examples with two or more brake cooling devices 114, each brake cooling device 114 can be fluidly coupled to a single brake assembly 106 or two or more brake assemblies 106.

[0029] The communication circuit 116 can receive signals from one or more sources and / or transmit signals to the one or more sources. The one or more sources can include, but are not limited to, the vehicle 102, one or more other vehicles, a base station, a traffic controller, etc. In some examples, in the case where the BCU 112 is disposed within a component of the vehicle 102 and / or includes a component of the vehicle, the processing circuit 113 can retrieve signals directly from a component on the vehicle 102 (e.g., the sensor 108). The communication circuit 116 can communicate with the one or more sources via wired or wireless communication. The wireless communication can be performed via one or more wireless transmission protocols, which include but are not limited to Wi-Fi, radio communication, infrared communication, wireless avionics internal communication (WAIC), or any other wireless transmission protocol.

[0030] The communication circuit 116 can receive signals indicating the speed or status of the vehicle 102. In some examples, the communication circuit 116 can receive signals indicating the position of the vehicle 102, and the processing circuit 113 can determine the speed and / or status of the vehicle 102 based on the received signals (e.g., based on the change in the position of the vehicle 102 over time). These positions can be determined via one or more systems, which include but are not limited to the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), the Global Positioning System (GPS), the Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) system, or any other system that the vehicle can use to determine the position of the vehicle. The position can be absolute (e.g., relative to longitude and latitude) or relative (e.g., relative to another vehicle, relative to a landmark such as a runway).

[0031] The vehicle 102 can include one or more navigation systems for determining the movement of the vehicle 102 (e.g., altitude, heading, acceleration, speed, turning rate), such as an Inertial Navigation System (INS). In some examples, the vehicle 102 can determine the movement of the vehicle based on, for example, the change in the position of the vehicle detected by the GNSS. The vehicle 102 can monitor the position and movement of the vehicle 102 via one or more navigation systems (e.g., constantly, periodically). The one or more navigation systems can be connected to the system 100 (e.g., via a wired connection to the BCU 112, via wireless communication to the communication circuit 116).

[0032] Memory 118 may store program instructions executable by processing circuitry 113. When executed by processing circuitry 113, such program instructions may cause processing circuitry 113 to perform the functionality belonging to it herein. The program instructions may be embodied in software and / or firmware, and memory 118 may include any volatile, non-volatile, magnetic, optical, or electronic medium, such as random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), non-volatile RAM (NVRAM), electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), flash memory, or any other digital medium.

[0033] UI 120 may be configured to receive input from an operator of vehicle 102 and convey information to the operator of vehicle 102. UI 120 may receive input in the form of visual, tactile, or auditory signals. UI 120 may output information to the operator in the form of visual, tactile, or auditory signals. Processing circuitry 113 may cause UI 120 to output a notification to the operator in response to processing circuitry 113 causing brake cooling device 114 to begin cooling brake assembly 106, stop cooling brake assembly 106, and / or while brake cooling device 114 is cooling brake assembly 106. UI 120 may be configured to receive input from the operator to enable or disable brake cooling device 114. Such input may override a determination made by processing circuitry 113 and may cause processing circuitry 113 to convey a signal to brake cooling device 114 in accordance with an instruction received by UI 120. UI 120 may include, but is not limited to, a digital display, a microphone, a speaker, a camera, a touchpad, buttons, a keypad, a keyboard, a knob, a joystick, a switch, etc.

[0034] Figure 2 is an illustration Figure 1 of another example view of system 100. Figure 2 Illustrates an example of signals being conveyed between components of system 100 and / or components of vehicle 102 to control brake cooling device 114 to cool brake assembly 106. In other examples, system 100 may convey signals along other paths between components of system 100 and / or components of vehicle 102 to control brake cooling device 114.

[0035] Wheel 104 and brake assembly 106 may be coupled to one or more of sensors 108. In some examples, where vehicle 102 is an aircraft or an aerial vehicle (e.g., a UAV), wheel 104 may be coupled to a landing gear control unit (LGCU) of vehicle 102. Vehicle 102 may control the movement of the landing gear structure of vehicle 102 (including wheels 104). The LGCU may include one or more LGCU sensors 202 configured to monitor wheel 104, e.g., movement of wheel 104, rotation of wheel 104, weight bearing of wheel 104. The LGCU sensors 202 may include, but are not limited to, magnetic sensors, optical sensors, or pressure sensors. In some examples, the LGCU sensors 202 include one or more WOW sensors. Brake assembly 106 may be coupled to a temperature sensor 110, e.g., as previously described herein.

[0036] Sensors 108 may be communicatively coupled to BCU 112 (e.g., to processing circuit 113 of BCU 112). In some examples, as Figure 2 illustrated, sensors 108 may be coupled to BCU 112 via cables 204A-N (also collectively referred to herein as "cables 204"). The cables 204 may include one, two, three, or more individual cables 204. In some examples, sensors 108 may be wirelessly coupled to BCU 112 (e.g., via communication circuit 116).

[0037] Processing circuit 113 may receive sensed signals from sensors 202, e.g., via cables 204. In some examples, processing circuit 113 receives at least a portion of the sensed signals from communication circuit 116 and / or from UI 120. Processing circuit 113 may determine values of parameters of vehicle 102 based on the sensed signals received from sensors 202, communication circuit 116, and / or UI 120. For example, processing circuit 113 is configured to determine one or more of a state of vehicle 102 (e.g., the WOW state of vehicle 102), a state of brake cooling device 114, a speed of vehicle 102 (e.g., wheel speed), and / or a temperature of components of brake assembly 106 based on the received sensed signals.

[0038] The processing circuit 113 may retrieve or receive threshold conditions of parameters from the communication circuit 116, the memory 118, and / or the UI 120. The threshold conditions may be stored in the memory 118 of the system 100, may be stored in an external device / storage space, and / or may be manually input (e.g., by an operator of the vehicle 102). The processing circuit 113 may compare the determined parameter values of the vehicle 102 with the threshold conditions and determine whether one or more threshold conditions are satisfied. In some examples, the processing circuit 113 determines whether a particular combination of threshold conditions has been satisfied. For example, the processing circuit 113 may determine that the threshold state of the brake cooling device 114 is satisfied and that one or more other threshold conditions have been satisfied.

[0039] Each particular combination of threshold conditions is referred to herein as a "set of threshold conditions". Each set of threshold conditions may include one, two, three, or more threshold conditions. Within each set of threshold conditions, the individual threshold conditions may be unique and / or may each directly target different parameters of the vehicle 102. The processing circuit 113 may analyze each set of threshold conditions individually to determine whether the determined parameter values of the vehicle 102 satisfy at least one set of threshold conditions.

[0040] The processing circuit 113 may control the brake cooling device 114 to start cooling the brake assembly 106 in response to determining that one or more threshold conditions and / or at least one set of threshold conditions have been satisfied. The processing circuit 113 may control the brake cooling device 114 to stop cooling the brake assembly 106 in response to determining that no threshold conditions and / or no set of threshold conditions are satisfied. The processing circuit 113 of the BCU 112 may be coupled to the brake cooling device 114 via the cable 206. In some examples, the processing circuit 113 may be wirelessly coupled to the brake cooling device 114 via the communication circuit 116. The processing circuit 113 may transmit signals to the brake cooling device 114 along the cable 206 or via the communication circuit 116 to control the brake cooling device 114. In some examples, in the case where the brake cooling device 114 includes or is coupled to one or more sensors configured to sense signals from components of the brake cooling device 114, the processing circuit 113 may receive sensed signals from the one or more sensors via the communication circuit 116 and / or the cable 206.

[0041] Some example vehicles may include a BCU that is electrically separated from the brake cooling equipment. In such examples, the brake cooling equipment of the vehicle is configured to be manually operated by an operator of the vehicle. A manufacturing component may insert a cable 206 into the vehicle to connect the BCU of the vehicle to the brake cooling equipment of the vehicle. The insertion of the cable 206 may be the only physical modification required for an existing vehicle to allow the cooling system of the existing vehicle to perform the processes described herein. The BCU of the example vehicle may receive and execute instructions to perform the example processes described herein, and may transmit the example signals described herein along the cable 206 to the brake cooling equipment, such as to automatically control the brake cooling equipment of the vehicle.

[0042] Figure 3 is an illustration Figure 1 of a block diagram of an example decision tree 300 of system 100. As Figure 3 illustrated, system 100 may enable a brake cooling device (318) in response to meeting at least one set of threshold conditions. Although decision tree 300 illustrates three example sets of threshold conditions, it should be understood that this is a non-limiting list of example sets of threshold conditions. Other example sets of threshold conditions may include any other combination of one, two, three, or more threshold conditions as described herein.

[0043] Each set of threshold conditions may include one or more subsets of threshold conditions. For example, as illustrated by decision tree 300, each set of threshold conditions may include either subset 302A-N (collectively referred to herein as "subset 302") and subset 303. The processing circuit 113 may determine that a subset (e.g., subset 302, subset 303) is met based on determining that all of the threshold conditions within the subset of threshold conditions have been met. The processing circuit 113 may determine that a set of threshold conditions has been met based on all of the subsets within the set of threshold conditions being met. For example, as illustrated by decision tree 300, the processing circuit 113 may determine that a set of threshold conditions has been met based on the threshold conditions of either subset 302 and subset 303 being met.

[0044] Subset 302A may include threshold conditions 304, 306, and 308. Threshold conditions 304, 306, and 308 may correspond to a threshold brake component temperature, a threshold vehicle state, and a threshold vehicle speed, respectively. The processing circuit 113 may determine that subset 302A has been met based on determining that the parameter values of vehicle 102 meet each of the threshold conditions 304, 306, and 308.

[0045] The processing circuit 113 may determine that the threshold condition 304 is met based on determining that the brake temperature of the components of the brake assembly 106 meets the threshold condition 304 (e.g., is greater than or equal to the threshold brake assembly temperature). The threshold brake assembly temperature may be up to about 500 °C (e.g., about 932 °F). In some examples, the threshold brake assembly temperature is up to about 100 °C (e.g., about 212 °F). The threshold brake assembly temperature may vary based on other parameter values. For example, when the vehicle 102 is in motion, the threshold brake assembly temperature may be lower (e.g., at about 100 °C). In another example, after the vehicle 102 lands, the threshold brake assembly temperature may be higher (e.g., at about 500 °C).

[0046] The processing circuit 113 may determine that the threshold condition 306 is met by determining that the state of the vehicle 102 matches the threshold state of the threshold condition 306. The state of the vehicle 102 may correspond to the WOW state of the vehicle 102. The threshold state of the vehicle 102 may be the "on the ground" WOW state. The processing circuit 113 may determine the WOW state based on the magnitude of the load borne by the wheels 104 and compare the determined WOW state with the threshold state of the threshold condition 304 to determine whether the determined WOW state matches the threshold state. In some examples, the processing circuit may determine the state of the vehicle 102 based on position, speed, and / or altitude information from the navigation / guidance system of the vehicle 102.

[0047] The processing circuit 113 may determine that the threshold condition 308 is met by determining that the speed of the vehicle 102 meets the threshold speed of the threshold condition 308 (e.g., is less than or equal to the threshold speed). The processing circuit 113 may determine the speed of the vehicle 102 based on the rotation rate of the wheels 104, based on the change in position of the vehicle 102 from the navigation / guidance system, etc. The threshold speed may be up to about 30 knots (e.g., about 55.5 kilometers per hour (km / hr) or about 34.5 miles per hour (mph)).

[0048] The subset 302B may include threshold conditions 310 and 312. The threshold conditions 310 and 312 may correspond to the threshold change in the state of the vehicle 102 and the threshold brake assembly temperature, respectively. The processing circuit 113 may determine that the subset 302B has been met based on determining that the parameter values of the vehicle 102 meet each of the threshold conditions 310 and 312.

[0049] The processing circuit 113 may determine that the threshold condition 310 is satisfied based on determining that the state of the vehicle 102 changes from a first threshold state to a second threshold state (e.g., from "in the air" to "on the ground"). The processing circuit 113 may determine the change in the state of the vehicle 102 based on the change in the WOW state. The processing circuit 113 may determine the change in the WOW state based at least in part on the change in the load borne by the wheel 104. In some examples, the processing circuit may determine the change in the state of the vehicle 102 based on position, speed, and / or altitude information from the navigation / guidance system of the vehicle 102. The processing circuit 113 may determine whether the threshold brake assembly temperature of the threshold condition 312 has been satisfied according to the example processes described previously herein.

[0050] The subset 302N may include the threshold condition 314. In other examples, in addition to the threshold condition 314, the subset 302N may further include one or more threshold conditions (e.g., one or more of the threshold conditions 304 to 312). The threshold condition 314 may correspond to the state of the vehicle 102 that satisfies the threshold state of the vehicle 102 for at least a threshold time period. The processing circuit 113 may determine that the threshold condition 314 has been satisfied based on determining that the state of the vehicle 102 has changed to the threshold state and has matched the threshold state for at least the threshold time period. The threshold time period may be up to five minutes. The processing circuit 113 may determine the state of the vehicle 102 according to one or more example processes described previously herein and compare the state with the threshold state. Based on determining that the determined state matches the threshold state, the processing circuit 113 may determine whether the vehicle 102 has been in the determined state for at least the threshold time period before the current time (e.g., for at least five minutes before the current time). The processing circuit 113 may determine that the threshold condition 314 is satisfied based on determining that the time period for which the vehicle 102 has assumed the threshold state is greater than or equal to the threshold time period.

[0051] In response to determining that one or more of the subsets in the subset 302 have been satisfied, the processing circuit 113 may determine whether the subset 303 has been satisfied. The subset 303 may include the threshold condition 316. In some examples, the subset 303 includes one or more of the threshold conditions 302 to 314. In some examples, each set of threshold conditions includes only one subset of the subset 302, and the threshold condition 316 is included in each subset of the subset 302.

[0052] The threshold condition 316 corresponds to a threshold state of the brake cooling device 114. In some examples, based on determining that the brake cooling device 114 cools the brake assembly 106 at a rate greater than or equal to a threshold cooling rate during a previous application of the brake cooling device 114, the processing circuit 113 determines that the brake cooling device 114 meets the threshold state of the brake cooling device 114. The processing circuit 113 may determine the cooling rate of the brake cooling device 114 based on the change in temperature of the brake assembly 106 over time during a previous application of the brake cooling device 114. The threshold cooling rate can be up to about 10 degrees Celsius per minute (°C / min). In some examples, the processing circuit 113 determines that the brake cooling device 114 meets the threshold state of the brake cooling device 114 based on determining that the brake cooling device 316 has been maintained for a threshold period of time prior to the current time. The threshold period of time can be up to about 25 minutes.

[0053] Figure 4 is a flowchart of an example process for cooling the brake assembly 106 of the vehicle 102. Although the vehicle 102 is mainly described below with reference to a vehicle that is an aircraft Figure 4 , the vehicle 102 can be any other type of vehicle described herein. Additionally, although the steps are mainly described below in Figure 4 the order illustrated Figure 4 , the system 100 can perform the steps of Figure 4 to cool the brake assembly 106 in other orders.

[0054] The system 100 can receive signals (402) corresponding to the temperature of the brake assembly 106, the speed of the vehicle 102, the state of the vehicle 102, and the cooling rate of the brake cooling device 114 from the sensor 108. The sensor 108 can be disposed within the vehicle 102, within one or more systems of the vehicle 102 (e.g., within the brake assembly 106 of the vehicle 102, within the LGCU of the vehicle 102), and / or can be external to the vehicle 102. The sensor 108 can include a temperature sensor 110, an LGCU sensor 202, a WOW sensor, and / or any other sensor / sensing device described herein. The processing circuit 113 of the BCU 112 of the system 100 can receive the sensed signals via the communication circuit 116, the UI 120, and / or a cable (e.g., cable 204) that couples the sensor 108 to the BCU 112. The processing circuit 113 can determine the temperature of the brake assembly 106, the state of the vehicle 102 (e.g., the WOW state of the vehicle 102), and the cooling rate of the brake cooling device 114 based on the received sensed signals.

[0055] System 100 can determine that the cooling rate of the brake cooling device 114 meets a threshold condition (404). System 100 can determine that at least one of the temperature of the brake assembly 106, the speed of the vehicle 102, or the state of the vehicle 102 meets one or more threshold conditions (406). The parameters of the vehicle 102 can include but are not limited to the temperature of the brake assembly 106, the state of the vehicle 102, and / or the cooling rate of the brake cooling device 114. The processing circuit 113 can receive / retrieve the threshold conditions from the memory 118 of the system 100 via the communication circuit 116 and / or the UI 120 and / or from an external source (e.g., from a storage device / system external to the vehicle 102, from an operator of the vehicle 102). The processing circuit 113 can compare the determined value of each parameter with the threshold corresponding to that parameter to determine whether the vehicle 102 meets the threshold condition for that parameter.

[0056] The processing circuit 113 can determine whether the vehicle 102 has met a set of threshold conditions. In some examples, the set of threshold conditions includes a threshold condition corresponding to the cooling rate of the brake cooling device 114 and one or more of a threshold condition corresponding to the temperature of the brake assembly 106 or a threshold condition corresponding to the state of the vehicle 102.

[0057] The processing circuit 113 can compare the temperature of the brake assembly 106 with a threshold brake assembly temperature to determine whether the temperature meets the threshold condition. In such examples, the processing circuit 113 can determine that the threshold condition has been met based on determining that the temperature of the brake assembly 106 is greater than or equal to the threshold brake assembly temperature.

[0058] The processing circuit 113 can compare the state of the vehicle 102 (e.g., the WOW state of the vehicle 102) with a threshold vehicle state to determine whether the state of the vehicle 102 meets the corresponding threshold condition (e.g., whether the state of the vehicle 102 matches the threshold vehicle state). In some examples, the threshold condition corresponding to the state of the vehicle 102 can be a threshold change in the vehicle state. In such examples, the processing circuit 113 can determine that the threshold condition has been met based on determining that the state of the vehicle 102 has changed from a first threshold state (e.g., "in the air") to a second threshold state (e.g., "on the ground").

[0059] The processing circuit 113 can compare the cooling rate of the brake cooling device 114 with a threshold cooling rate to determine whether the cooling rate meets the corresponding threshold condition. For example, the processing circuit 113 can determine that the threshold condition is met based on determining that the cooling rate of the brake cooling device 114 is greater than or equal to the threshold cooling rate.

[0060] System 100 may cause brake cooling device 114 to begin cooling brake assembly 106 (408). Processing circuit 113 may determine that each threshold condition within a set of threshold conditions has been met (e.g., a parameter value of vehicle 102 meets a threshold cooling rate and one or more of a threshold brake assembly temperature or a threshold vehicle state). Processing circuit 113 may transmit a signal to brake cooling device 114 in response to the set of threshold conditions being met to cause brake cooling device 114 to begin active cooling of brake assembly 106 (e.g., via activation of a pump, fan, or other fluid conveyance device of brake cooling device 114). In some examples, processing circuit 113 compares the parameter value to two or more sets of threshold conditions, where each set of threshold conditions includes at least one threshold condition different from one or more of the sets of threshold conditions. Processing circuit 113 may cause brake cooling device 114 to begin cooling brake assembly 106 in response to one or more of the sets of threshold conditions being met.

[0061] While brake cooling device 114 is cooling brake assembly 106, processing circuit 113 may continue to receive signals from sensor 108 and compare the determined parameter values (e.g., based on the received signals) to the set of threshold conditions. In response to determining that no set of threshold conditions is met, processing circuit 113 may transmit another signal to brake cooling device 114 to stop cooling of brake assembly 106.

[0062] Figure 5 is a flowchart of another example process for cooling a brake assembly of a vehicle system. Although vehicle 102 is described below primarily with reference to a vehicle that is an aircraft Figure 5 , vehicle 102 may be any other type of vehicle described herein. Additionally, although the steps are described below primarily in the Figure 5 order illustrated Figure 5 , system 100 may perform the steps of Figure 5 in a different order to cool brake assembly 106.

[0063] System 100 may receive sensed signals (502) corresponding to vehicle 102 from one or more sensors 108. System 100 may determine the temperature of brake assembly 106 of vehicle 102, the state of vehicle 102, the speed of vehicle 102, and the state of brake cooling device 114 of vehicle 102 based on the received sensed signals (504). System 100 may perform steps 502, 504 according to other example processes described previously herein (e.g., with respect to Figure 4 ).

[0064] System 100 can determine whether the status of the brake cooling device 114 meets a threshold condition (506). The threshold condition for the status of the brake cooling device 114 can include, but is not limited to, the threshold cooling rate of the brake cooling device 114 and / or the threshold time period since the previous maintenance of the brake cooling device 114. The status of the brake cooling device 114 can indicate the cooling rate of the brake cooling device 114 and / or the time period since the previous maintenance session or the brake cooling device 114. The processing circuit 113 can compare the status of the brake cooling device 114 with the threshold condition to determine whether the status of the brake cooling device 114 meets the threshold condition.

[0065] Based on determining that the status of the brake cooling device 114 does not meet the threshold condition (the "no" branch of 506), system 100 can continue to receive sensing signals corresponding to the vehicle 102 from one or more sensors 108 (502). System 100 can perform steps 502 to 506 periodically or regularly until system 100 determines that the temperature of the brake assembly 106, the speed of the vehicle 102, and / or the status of the vehicle 102 do not meet any of the one or more threshold conditions, and / or until system 100 receives an instruction to terminate the process (e.g., via the communication circuit 116, via the UI 120).

[0066] Based on determining that the status of the brake cooling device meets the threshold condition (the "yes" branch of 506), system 100 can determine whether the temperature of the brake assembly 106, the speed of the vehicle 102, and / or the status of the vehicle 102 meet one or more threshold conditions (508). The processing circuit 113 can compare the parameter values of the vehicle 102 (e.g., the temperature of the brake assembly 106, the speed of the vehicle 102, the status of the vehicle 102) with the corresponding thresholds to determine whether the vehicle 102 meets the threshold condition. For example, the processing circuit 113 can compare the temperature of the brake assembly 106 with the threshold brake assembly temperature, compare the speed of the vehicle 102 with the threshold speed, and / or compare the status of the vehicle 102 with the threshold status and / or threshold status change to determine whether the vehicle 102 meets one or more threshold conditions. The processing circuit 113 can perform such comparisons according to the example processes and techniques described previously herein.

[0067] In response to determining that the temperature of the brake assembly 106, the speed of the vehicle 102, and / or the status of the vehicle 102 do not meet any of the one or more threshold conditions (the "no" branch of 508), system 100 can continue to receive sensing signals corresponding to the vehicle 102 from one or more sensors. System 100 can perform Figure 5The illustrated steps 502 to 508 continue until the system 100 determines that the temperature of the brake assembly 106, the speed of the vehicle 102, and / or the state of the vehicle 102 do not meet any of one or more threshold conditions, and / or until the system 100 receives an instruction to terminate the process (e.g., via the communication circuit 116, via the UI 120).

[0068] In response to determining that the temperature of the brake assembly 106, the speed of the vehicle 102, and / or the state of the vehicle 102 do not meet any of one or more threshold conditions (the "yes" branch of 508), the system 100 may cause the brake cooling device 114 to cool the brake assembly 106 of the vehicle 102. For example, the processing circuit 113 of the system 100 may transmit a signal to the brake cooling device 114 to cause the brake cooling device 114 to start actively cooling the brake assembly 106. The system 100 may continue to receive sensing signals from the sensor 108 (502) and perform Figure 5 The illustrated steps 502 to 510 until the system 100 determines that the temperature of the brake assembly 106, the speed of the vehicle 102, and / or the state of the vehicle 102 do not meet any of one or more threshold conditions, and / or until the system 100 receives an instruction to terminate the process (e.g., via the communication circuit 116, via the UI 120).

[0069] Figure 6 FIG. is a flowchart of an example process illustrating termination of cooling of the brake assembly 106 of the vehicle 102 by the brake cooling device 114 of the system 100. Although the vehicle 102 is mainly described below as an aircraft Figure 6 , the vehicle 102 may be any other type of vehicle described herein. Additionally, although the steps are mainly described below in Figure 6 the illustrated order Figure 6 , the system 100 may perform the steps in a different order Figure 6 to cool the brake assembly 106.

[0070] In accordance with one or more example processes and / or techniques described herein, system 100 may cause brake cooling device 114 to cool brake assembly 106 (602) of vehicle 102. System 100 may sense the temperature of brake assembly 106 of vehicle 102 (604). Processing circuitry 113 of system 100 may sense the temperature of brake assembly 106 via one or more sensors 108 (e.g., via temperature sensor 110). Processing circuitry 113 may sense the temperature of a particular component of brake assembly 106 (e.g., one or more discs of brake assembly 106) via one or more sensors 108. In some examples, processing circuitry 113 periodically senses the temperature of brake assembly 106 at regular time intervals (e.g., once every thirty seconds, once a minute, once every five minutes). In some examples, processing circuitry 113 continuously senses the temperature of brake assembly 106 over time. Processing circuitry 113 may store the sensed temperature in memory 118 of system 100 or within an external storage device / system.

[0071] System 100 may determine whether the temperature of brake assembly 106 (e.g., one or more components of brake assembly 106) is less than or equal to a target temperature (606). The target temperature may correspond to an operating temperature at which brake assembly 106 may be enabled to slow or stop vehicle 102 without damaging components of brake assembly 106. The operating temperature may be up to about 380 °C (e.g., about 716 °F). In some examples, the target temperature corresponds to the temperature to which brake assembly 106 can passively cool within a set time period. The set time period may be defined by the amount of time remaining until vehicle 102 is expected to start moving and / or increase speed. In such examples, the target temperature may be a particular amount of temperature higher than the maximum operating temperature. The particular amount may depend on the temperature of the environment surrounding vehicle 102. Processing circuitry 113 may receive / retrieve the target temperature and / or set period from the guidance / navigation system of vehicle 102, from an external guidance / navigation system (e.g., from a base station), and / or from an operator of vehicle 102 via communication circuitry 116 and / or UI 120.

[0072] Based on determining that the temperature of brake assembly 106 is greater than the target temperature value (the "no" branch of 606), system 100 may continue to cause brake cooling device 114 to cool brake assembly 106 (602) and sense the temperature of brake assembly 106 (604). Based on determining that the temperature of brake assembly 106 is less than or equal to the target temperature (the "yes" branch of 606), system 100 may cause brake cooling device 114 to terminate cooling of brake assembly 106 (608). For example, processing circuitry 113 may transmit a signal to brake cooling device 114 to cause brake cooling device 114 to terminate cooling of brake assembly 106.

[0073] The present disclosure includes the following embodiments.

[0074] Embodiment 1: A system for a vehicle, the system comprising: a plurality of sensors, wherein at least one of the plurality of sensors is coupled to a brake assembly of the vehicle; a brake control unit, the brake control unit including processing circuitry and coupled to the plurality of sensors and a brake cooling device of the vehicle, wherein the brake cooling device is configured to cool the brake assembly of the vehicle, and wherein the brake control unit is configured to: receive signals corresponding to the temperature of the one or more brakes, the state of the vehicle, and the cooling rate of the brake cooling device from the plurality of sensors; cause the brake cooling device to start cooling the one or more brakes in response to: determining that the cooling rate of the brake cooling device meets a threshold cooling rate; and one or more of: determining that the temperature of the one or more brakes meets a threshold temperature, or determining that the state of the vehicle meets at least one of one or more threshold states.

[0075] Embodiment 2: The system according to Embodiment 1, wherein the brake control unit is configured to: determine the cooling rate of the brake cooling device while the brake cooling device is cooling the one or more brakes; compare the cooling rate with the threshold cooling rate; and based on determining that the cooling rate is less than or equal to the threshold cooling rate, cause the brake cooling device to terminate cooling of the one or more brakes.

[0076] Embodiment 3: The system according to any one of Embodiments 1 or 2, wherein the plurality of sensors includes a wheel-on-weight (WOW) sensor, and wherein, in order to determine that the state of the vehicle meets the at least one of the one or more threshold states, the brake control unit is configured to: receive at least one signal from the WOW sensor of the vehicle; determine, based on the at least one signal received from the WOW sensor, whether the vehicle is an airborne vehicle or a land vehicle; and based on determining that the vehicle is a land vehicle and the speed of the vehicle is less than or equal to a threshold speed, determine that the state of the vehicle meets the at least one threshold state.

[0077] Embodiment 4: The system according to Embodiment 3, wherein the threshold speed is 30 knots.

[0078] Example 5: The system according to any one of Examples 1 to 4, wherein the plurality of sensors includes wheel-on-weight (WOW) sensors, and wherein, in order to determine that the state of the vehicle satisfies at least one of the one or more threshold states, the brake control unit is configured to: receive at least one signal from the WOW sensors of the vehicle; determine, based on the at least one signal from the WOW sensors, whether the vehicle is an airborne vehicle or a land vehicle; and determine that the state of the vehicle satisfies the at least one threshold state based on determining that the vehicle is a land vehicle for at least a threshold time period.

[0079] Example 6: The system according to any one of Examples 1 to 5, wherein, in order to determine that the cooling rate of the brake cooling device satisfies the threshold cooling rate, the brake control unit is configured to determine that a previous cooling rate of the brake cooling device from a previous voyage is greater than or equal to the threshold cooling rate.

[0080] Example 7: The system according to any one of Examples 1 to 6, wherein the brake cooling device includes a fan and a motor coupled to the fan, and wherein, in order to cause the brake cooling device to start cooling the one or more brakes, the brake control unit is configured to cause the motor to start rotating the fan.

[0081] Example 8: The system according to any one of Examples 1 to 7, wherein the at least one sensor includes a brake temperature probe.

[0082] Example 9: The system according to any one of Examples 1 to 8, wherein the vehicle includes an aircraft, wherein the plurality of sensors includes one or more sensors coupled to a landing gear control unit (LGCU) of the aircraft, and wherein the brake control unit is configured to receive a signal corresponding to the state of the vehicle from the one or more sensors.

[0083] Example 10: The system according to any one of Examples 1 to 9, wherein the threshold brake temperature is 100 degrees Celsius.

[0084] Example 11: A method, the method comprising: receiving, by a brake control unit of a vehicle, signals corresponding to temperatures of one or more brakes of the vehicle, a state of the vehicle, and a state of a brake cooling device of the vehicle from one or more sensors of the vehicle; determining, by the brake control unit, that the state of the brake control unit meets a threshold brake control unit state; determining, by the brake control unit, that the received signals meet one or more threshold conditions, wherein the one or more threshold conditions include one or more of the following conditions: a threshold brake temperature; or one or more threshold vehicle states; and in response to determining that the received signals meet the one or more threshold conditions and that the state of the brake control unit meets the threshold brake control unit state, actively cooling, by the brake control unit, the one or more brakes with the brake cooling device.

[0085] Example 12: The method according to Example 11, the method further comprising: determining, by the brake control unit and based on the received signals, a cooling rate of the brake control unit; comparing, by the brake control unit, the cooling rate with a threshold cooling rate; and in response to determining that the cooling rate is less than or equal to the threshold cooling rate, terminating, by the brake control unit, the cooling of the one or more brakes with the brake cooling device.

[0086] Example 13: The method according to any one of Examples 11 or 12, wherein the threshold brake control unit state includes one or more of the following: a threshold cooling rate of the brake control unit; or a threshold time period since a previous inspection of the brake cooling device.

[0087] Example 14: The method according to any one of Examples 11 to 13, wherein the one or more sensors include a wheel on weight (WOW) sensor, wherein the state of the vehicle includes an indication of the vehicle position from the WOW sensor, and wherein determining that the received signals meet the one or more threshold conditions includes: determining, by the brake control unit and based on the indication of the vehicle position from the WOW sensor, that the vehicle is a land vehicle; and determining, by the brake control unit and based on the indication of the vehicle position from the WOW sensor, the speed of the vehicle; and determining, by the brake control unit, that the received signals meet the one or more threshold conditions based on determining that the vehicle is a land vehicle and the speed of the vehicle is less than or equal to a threshold speed.

[0088] Example 15: The method according to Example 14, wherein the threshold speed is 30 knots.

[0089] Example 16: The method according to any one of Examples 11 to 15, wherein the one or more sensors include a wheel on weight (WOW) sensor, wherein the state of the vehicle includes an indication of the vehicle position from the WOW sensor, and wherein determining that the received signal meets the one or more threshold conditions includes: determining by the brake control unit and based on the indication of the vehicle position from the WOW sensor that the vehicle is a land vehicle for at least a threshold time period.

[0090] Example 17: The method according to any one of Examples 11 to 16, wherein the brake cooling device includes a fan and a motor coupled to the fan, and wherein causing the brake cooling device to begin cooling the one or more brakes includes causing the motor to begin rotating the fan by the brake control unit.

[0091] Example 18: The method according to any one of Examples 11 to 17, wherein at least one of the one or more sensors includes a brake temperature probe.

[0092] Example 19: The method according to any one of Examples 11 to 18, wherein the threshold brake temperature is 100 degrees Celsius.

[0093] Example 20: A computer-readable medium comprising instructions that, when executed, cause a processing circuit of a brake control unit of a vehicle to: receive signals corresponding to the temperature of one or more brakes of the vehicle, the state of the vehicle, and the state of a brake cooling device of the vehicle from one or more sensors of the vehicle; determine that the state of the brake control unit meets a threshold brake control unit state; determine that the received signals meet one or more threshold conditions, wherein the one or more threshold conditions include one or more of the following conditions: a threshold brake temperature; or one or more threshold vehicle states; and in response to determining that the received signals meet the one or more threshold conditions and the state of the brake control unit meets the threshold brake control unit state, cause the brake cooling device to actively cool the one or more brakes.

[0094] Example 21: The computer-readable medium according to Example 20, the computer-readable medium comprising instructions that, when executed, cause the processing circuit to perform the method according to any one of Examples 12 to 19.

[0095] The techniques described in this disclosure may be implemented, at least in part, in hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof, including those that are part of processing circuitry 113 and other control circuitry, processing circuitry, sensors, or various components. For example, aspects of the techniques may be implemented within one or more processors, which may include one or more microprocessors, DSPs, ASICs, FPGAs, or any other equivalent integrated or discrete logic circuitry, as well as any combination of such components embodied in any suitable device. For example, processing circuitry, control circuitry, sensing circuitry, and other processors, controllers, and sensors described herein may be implemented, at least in part, as or include one or more executable applications, application modules, libraries, classes, methods, objects, routines, subroutines, firmware, and / or embedded code. Additionally, instead of or in addition to some or all of the digital hardware and / or software described herein, analog circuits, components, and circuit elements may be used to construct one, some, or all of the control circuitry and sensors. Thus, analog or digital hardware, or a combination of both, may be used.

[0096] In one or more examples, the functions described in this disclosure may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. If implemented in software, the functions may be stored as one or more instructions or code on a computer-readable medium and executed by a hardware-based processing unit. The computer-readable medium may be an article of manufacture that includes a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium encoded with instructions. The instructions embedded or encoded in the article of manufacture (including the encoded non-transitory computer-readable storage medium) may cause one or more programmable processors or other processors to implement one or more of the techniques described herein, such as when the instructions included or encoded in the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium are executed by one or more processors. Example non-transitory computer-readable storage media may include RAM, ROM, programmable ROM (PROM), erasable programmable ROM (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), flash memory, a hard disk, a CD-ROM, a floppy disk, magnetic media, optical media, or any other computer-readable storage device or tangible computer-readable medium.

[0097] In some examples, the computer-readable storage medium includes a non-transitory medium. The term "non-transitory" may indicate that the storage medium is not embodied in a carrier wave or a propagated signal. In certain examples, the non-transitory storage medium may store data that can change over time (e.g., in RAM or a cache).

[0098] The functionality described herein may be provided within dedicated hardware and / or software modules. Describing different features as modules or units is intended to highlight different functional aspects and does not necessarily imply that such modules or units must be implemented by separate hardware or software components. Rather, the functionality associated with one or more modules or units may be performed by separate hardware or software components, or integrated within common or separate hardware or software components. Moreover, these techniques may be implemented entirely within one or more circuits or logic elements.

[0099] Various embodiments have been described. These and other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A system for a vehicle, the system comprising: a plurality of sensors, wherein at least one sensor of the plurality of sensors is coupled to a brake assembly of a vehicle; and a brake control unit comprising processing circuitry and coupled to the plurality of sensors and a brake cooling device of the vehicle, wherein the brake cooling device is configured to cool the brake assembly of the vehicle, and wherein the brake control unit is configured to: receiving signals from the plurality of sensors corresponding to a temperature of one or more brakes, a state of the vehicle, and a cooling rate of the brake cooling device; and The brake cooling device is caused to begin cooling the one or more brakes in response to: determining that the cooling rate of the brake cooling device satisfies a threshold cooling rate; as well as One or more of: determining that the temperature of the one or more brakes satisfies a threshold temperature, or determining that the state of the vehicle satisfies at least one of one or more threshold states.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the brake control unit is configured to: determining the cooling rate of the brake cooling device while the brake cooling device is cooling the one or more brakes; comparing the cooling rate to the threshold cooling rate; and Based on determining that the cooling rate is less than or equal to the threshold cooling rate, the brake cooling device is caused to terminate cooling of the one or more brakes.

3. The system of any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein the plurality of sensors comprises a weight on wheels (WOW) sensor, and wherein to determine that the state of the vehicle satisfies the at least one of the one or more threshold states, the brake control unit is configured to: receiving at least one signal from the WOW sensor of the vehicle; determining whether the vehicle is an airborne vehicle or a land vehicle based on the at least one signal received from the WOW sensor; as well as Based on determining that the vehicle is a land vehicle and that a speed of the vehicle is less than or equal to a threshold speed, it is determined that the condition of the vehicle satisfies the at least one threshold condition.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the threshold speed is 30 knots.

5. The system of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the plurality of sensors comprises a weight on wheels (WOW) sensor, and wherein to determine that the state of the vehicle satisfies the at least one of the one or more threshold states, the brake control unit is configured to: receiving at least one signal from the WOW sensor of the vehicle; determining whether the vehicle is an airborne vehicle or a land vehicle based on the at least one signal from the WOW sensor; as well as Based on determining that the vehicle was a land vehicle for at least a threshold period of time, it is determined that the condition of the vehicle satisfies the at least one threshold condition.

6. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein in order to determine that the cooling rate of the brake cooling device meets the threshold cooling rate, the brake control unit is configured to determine that a previous cooling rate of the brake cooling device from a previous voyage is greater than or equal to the threshold cooling rate.

7. The system of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the brake cooling device comprises a fan and a motor coupled to the fan, and wherein in order for the brake cooling device to begin cooling the one or more brakes, the brake control unit is configured to cause the motor to begin rotating the fan.

8. The system of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the at least one sensor comprises a brake temperature probe.

9. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the vehicle comprises an aircraft, wherein the plurality of sensors comprises one or more sensors coupled to a landing gear control unit (LGCU) of the aircraft, and wherein the brake control unit is configured to receive signals corresponding to the state of the vehicle from the one or more sensors.

10. The system of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the threshold brake temperature is 100 degrees Celsius.

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