Aircraft Wheel Brake Cable Structure with Ceramic and Metallic Layers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Aircraft wheel brakes operate in harsh environments with high temperatures, posing challenges for the integration and protection of electronic components like temperature sensors, which require effective thermal management and robust attachment methods to withstand extreme conditions.

Innovation Solution

A cable structure comprising elongate elements with ceramic spacer layers and a metallic layer surrounding a ceramic cover layer is used to protect signals and wires, and a temperature sensing device with a surface acoustic wave sensor is attached using ceramic adhesive or bolts to withstand high temperatures and vibrations, enabling wireless communication for temperature monitoring.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If electronic components are integrated into aircraft wheel brakes, then temperature sensing capability is improved, but thermal protection and reliability deteriorate due to harsh high-temperature environment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature sensing capabilityVSAvoidthermal protection

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces ceramic adhesive as an intermediary substance between the temperature sensor and the brake component. This ceramic adhesive layer serves as a thermal barrier while maintaining mechanical bonding, allowing the sensor to function in the high-temperature environment without direct thermal exposure that would compromise reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite material structures including ceramic layers, metallic layers, and polymer insulation layers in the cable assembly. These composite materials provide combined properties of thermal resistance, mechanical strength, and electrical insulation, enabling the sensing system to operate reliably in harsh thermal environments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If ceramic adhesive is used to attach the temperature sensor, then thermal protection is improved, but attachment strength may deteriorate under high vibration conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal protectionVSAvoidattachment strength

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the attachment system into multiple functional layers: a first ceramic layer for thermal protection, a ceramic adhesive layer for bonding, and a second ceramic layer for additional protection. This segmentation allows each layer to specialize in its function while collectively providing both thermal protection and mechanical strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a composite attachment structure combining ceramic materials with ceramic adhesive. This composite approach leverages the thermal resistance of ceramic and the bonding capability of the adhesive, creating an attachment system that maintains both thermal protection and vibration resistance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If a robust cable structure with multiple layers is used, then thermal protection is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal protectionVSAvoidcable structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a nested cable structure where an inner core containing conductors is surrounded by polymer insulation, which is then enclosed by a metallic layer, and finally protected by an outer ceramic or polymer layer. This nested arrangement provides multiple protective functions within a compact, integrated structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite material layers (metallic, ceramic, polymer) in the cable structure, where each material contributes specific properties. This composite approach achieves comprehensive thermal and mechanical protection through material selection rather than structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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

The solution provides reliable thermal protection and effective temperature sensing in harsh aircraft wheel brake environments, ensuring accurate temperature measurement and durability against high temperatures and vibrations.

Implementation Method 1

one or more ceramic spacer layers, a ceramic cover layer and a metallic layer surrounding the one or more ceramic spacer layers and the ceramic cover layer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 2

a temperature sensing device with a surface acoustic wave sensor is attached using ceramic adhesive or bolts to withstand high temperatures and vibrations, enabling wireless communication for temperature monitoring

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSurface acoustic wave: Surface Acoustic Wave

Data Source

PatentUS20230166834A1Cable structure for use in aircraft wheel brakes

Publication Date: 2023.06.01 AIRBUS OPERATIONS LTD

AI summary

A cable structure to carry signals to and from a component of a temperature sensing arrangement in an aircraft wheel brake is disclosed including elongate elements including a plurality of cables and/or wires, one or more ceramic spacer layers, a ceramic cover layer and a metallic layer surrounding the one or more ceramic spacer layers and the ceramic cover layer. Also disclosed is an aircraft wheel brake comprising the cable structure and an aircraft comprising the aircraft wheel brake.