Aircraft Emergency Brake Controller With Redundant Brake Channels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft brake control systems face failures and un-commanded braking issues due to brake and brake control system malfunctions, necessitating improved emergency and park braking systems for enhanced safety and reliability.
Innovation Solution
An emergency and park brake system with a distinct control system that includes a processor-based controller, position encoder, and remote interfaces, allowing for electrically controlled braking and integrating redundancy to manage braking forces effectively, independent of primary brake systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If dissimilar independent separate and redundant channels are employed for emergency braking, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The brake system is divided into distinct segments: a primary brake system for normal operations and a separate emergency brake system for failure conditions. Each segment operates independently with its own control channels, allowing the emergency system to take over without interference from the primary system if failures occur.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the brake system have specialized functions tailored to their specific requirements. The primary brake system is optimized for normal braking operations, while the emergency brake system is specifically designed and configured for failure-mode operations, with dedicated sensors, actuators, and control logic localized to each function.
2Ease of operation
If electrically controlled braking with processor-based controller is implemented, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The emergency brake system replaces complex mechanical linkages and direct mechanical control with an electrical control architecture. A processor-based controller receives electrical signals from sensors and pilot inputs, then electronically actuates the brake actuators, eliminating the need for complex mechanical transmission systems while improving response time and control precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The processor-based controller serves as an intermediary between pilot inputs/sensors and the brake actuators. It processes electrical signals, implements control logic, and coordinates actuator activation, simplifying the overall control architecture while enabling sophisticated braking functions through software-based control strategies.
3Reliability
If redundancy is integrated to manage braking forces, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The emergency brake system integrates multiple redundant components including dual sensors, backup actuators, and parallel control channels into a unified system architecture. These redundant elements are merged and coordinated through the processor-based controller, which manages their collective operation to provide fail-safe braking capability while presenting a simplified interface to the pilot.
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems and methods for an aircraft emergency and park brake system are disclosed. The emergency and park brake system may comprise an emergency and park brake controller (130). The emergency and park brake controller may be configured to receive brake signals from mechanical and electrical inputs, generate a braking command comprising data from the brake signal, and transmit the braking command to control braking force. The emergency and park brake controller may receive brake signals from multiple locations including from the aircraft (10) and from a remote location.