Aircraft Brake Control Channel Equalization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft brake control systems with multiple channels often result in unequal braking efforts between brakes, leading to dynamic instability due to out-of-phase brake applications.
Innovation Solution
A brake control system with two channels that monitor and adjust braking efforts and timing to equalize the workload and phase of braking between brakes, using sensors and communication interfaces to ensure balanced braking forces and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple brake control channels are used to control different brakes on a given gear, then system redundancy and robustness are improved, but unequal braking efforts and dynamic instability occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the executive brake control channel continuously monitors the braking effort applied by brakes controlled by both the first and second control channels. Based on this feedback, the system dynamically adjusts the brake control signals to equalize the braking efforts, thereby preventing dynamic instability while maintaining the redundancy benefits of multiple control channels
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts brake control signals in real-time based on the monitored braking efforts. The executive channel modifies the braking effort of individual brakes dynamically to achieve equalization, allowing the system to adapt to varying conditions and maintain stability during different flight phases and braking scenarios
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple brake control channels control different brakes independently, then control flexibility is improved, but unequal workload distribution between brakes occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The executive brake control channel monitors the braking effort applied by each brake and uses this feedback information to dynamically adjust control signals, ensuring equal workload distribution while preserving the control flexibility of multiple independent channels
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the brake control signal parameters dynamically based on the monitored braking efforts. By adjusting parameters such as brake pressure and application timing, the system achieves equal workload distribution among brakes while maintaining the adaptability of the multi-channel control architecture
Data Source
AI summary
A brake control system for a landing gear of an aircraft is provided. The system includes a first control channel for providing brake control signals to one or more brakes on the landing gear, and a second control channel for providing brake control signals to another one or more brakes on the landing gear. At least one of the first control channel and the second control channel is configured to act as an executive in monitoring braking efforts applied by the one or more brakes as compared to braking efforts applied by the another one or more brake, and to cause the braking efforts of at least one of the one or more brakes or the another one or more brakes to be modified in an effort to equalize the braking efforts.