Aircraft Brake Control Using Real-Time Acceleration Feedback
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current anti-skid brake systems for aircraft are ineffective in varying climatic conditions, particularly on slippery surfaces, as they fail to accurately adjust brake energy based on dynamic friction changes, leading to overbraking and reduced braking efficiency, and are not designed to handle velocity variations and contamination effectively.
Innovation Solution
A self-adjustable braking energy control system that utilizes real-time acceleration data from the aircraft's inertia navigation system and GPS, combined with hydraulic brake pressure regulation, to dynamically adjust brake pressure and maintain optimal friction levels by identifying the peak friction point and adjusting brake energy application accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional anti-skid brake systems are used, then the system structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the braking efficiency deteriorates on slippery surfaces due to inability to adapt to varying friction conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The brake control system transitions from static, fixed brake pressure control to dynamic control that continuously adjusts brake pressure based on real-time acceleration feedback. The system monitors acceleration changes and modulates brake energy application dynamically to maintain optimal friction levels, allowing the brake system to adapt to varying surface conditions (dry, wet, contaminated) and velocity changes throughout the braking process.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention implements a feedback control mechanism where acceleration data from the inertia navigation system is continuously fed back to the brake control unit. This closed-loop feedback allows the system to detect when friction levels are declining (indicating approaching skid condition) and automatically reduce brake pressure accordingly, optimizing braking performance across different pavement conditions.
2Force
If brake pressure is increased to improve stopping distance, then braking force increases, but the risk of overbraking and skidding increases on contaminated surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses real-time acceleration feedback to continuously monitor the relationship between applied brake force and actual deceleration. When the acceleration feedback indicates that the vehicle is decelerating faster than expected from the applied brake pressure (suggesting friction is increasing), the system maintains or increases brake pressure. When deceleration is slower than expected (friction declining), the system reduces pressure to prevent skid, thereby optimizing the balance between braking force and skid prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention dynamically changes the brake pressure parameter based on real-time acceleration measurements and calculated friction levels. Rather than using fixed brake pressure thresholds, the system continuously adjusts the brake pressure parameter in response to changing friction conditions, allowing optimal braking force application across varying surface conditions without exceeding the friction limit.
3Adaptability or versatility
If acceleration-based friction monitoring is implemented, then braking performance adapts to surface conditions, but the device complexity increases due to additional sensors and control logic
Solution Approach 1:
The invention leverages the existing multi-functional inertia navigation system and GPS already present in modern aircraft for other purposes (navigation, flight management) and repurposes their acceleration and velocity data outputs for brake control. This eliminates the need for separate dedicated sensors, as the existing navigation system serves multiple functions including providing feedback for the adaptive brake control.
Solution Approach 2:
The brake control system utilizes data already being collected and processed by the aircraft's navigation and flight management systems. Rather than requiring entirely new sensing infrastructure, the system services itself by repurposing existing sensor outputs (acceleration from inertial navigation, velocity from GPS) for the additional function of brake pressure regulation.
4Device complexity
If fixed brake pressure control is used, then the control logic is simple, but the system cannot handle velocity variations and contamination effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The control system transitions from static, fixed brake pressure commands to dynamic pressure modulation based on real-time acceleration feedback and velocity data. The system continuously calculates friction levels using acceleration measurements and adjusts brake pressure dynamically throughout the braking event, enabling effective response to changing velocity conditions and surface contamination levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the control parameter from fixed brake pressure to variable brake pressure that is continuously adjusted based on calculated friction levels. The system monitors acceleration changes and modifies the brake pressure parameter in real-time, allowing the control logic to adapt to varying velocity and surface conditions while maintaining a relatively straightforward control algorithm based on friction feedback.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This system ensures optimal braking performance across different pavement conditions by continuously monitoring and adapting to changes in friction and acceleration, reducing the risk of overbraking and improving braking efficiency even on contaminated surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
This innovation bases knowledge on friction analysis behaviour between a rolling wheel and surface interface
Data Source
AI summary
A brake controller function to optimally brake a wheel of a vehicle in motion, such as an aircraft. The brake pressure control self regulates by means of applying brake pressure in accordance with vehicle acceleration information and the change in acceleration over time in the horizontal plane. Vehicle acceleration and information about its change enable a brake pressure control function to determine the brake pressure associated with maximum obtainable retardation for a vehicle at that given point in time. By continuously monitoring acceleration change and detecting retardation pinnacles, the culmination and turning points of retardation, with their associated brake pressure, maximum braking ability is assured at any given time. By applying acceleration data in real time as a controls reference in a brake logic control function to increase or reduce brake pressure, such a brake control function will assure a brake pressure perfectly fit with net of all the forces that a vehicle is subjected to. It will ensure optimal brake level with respect the vehicle tire/pavement surface interface.