Aircraft Wheel Brake Cooling Time Equalization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft wheel brakes take varying times to cool down after use, leading to increased turn-around time as they must reach safe operating temperatures before subsequent flights, which can be inefficient due to differences in cooling rates between brakes.
Innovation Solution
A method and system to control the application of aircraft wheel brakes by determining and utilizing the unique cooling characteristics of each brake, adjusting brake pressure and distribution based on temperature and torque sensors to equalize the time for both brakes to reach specified temperatures, thereby minimizing turn-around time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If wheel brakes are applied to provide braking, then the speed of the aircraft is reduced, but the temperature of the brakes increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the temperature parameter of the brakes by controlling the distribution of braking force among multiple brakes. By adjusting which brakes are applied and to what extent, the system manages heat generation and dissipation, ensuring brakes cool down to safe temperatures between flights while still providing necessary braking capability.
2Reliability
If brakes are allowed to cool down to safe temperatures, then safe operation is ensured, but the turn-around time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different cooling strategies to different brakes based on their individual characteristics and wear states. Each brake is monitored and controlled independently, allowing the aircraft to minimize overall turn-around time by optimizing the cooling process for each specific brake rather than waiting for all brakes uniformly.
Solution Approach 2:
The braking system dynamically adjusts the distribution of braking force among multiple brakes based on real-time temperature monitoring and wear indications. This dynamic control allows the system to manage heat generation and dissipation actively, reducing the time required for brakes to cool down while maintaining safe operation.
3Loss of time
If braking is distributed among multiple brakes, then the time to reach specified temperatures is equalized, but the complexity of brake control increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback from temperature sensors and wear indication sensors to automatically adjust brake application distribution. This feedback mechanism simplifies the control complexity by using sensor data to automatically determine optimal braking force distribution, equalizing cooling times without requiring complex manual control procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The brake control system serves itself by automatically monitoring its own state through temperature and wear sensors, and autonomously adjusting the distribution of braking force. This self-service capability reduces the need for external intervention and simplifies the overall control complexity while achieving optimal cooling time equalization.
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 approach ensures that both brakes reach safe operating temperatures simultaneously, reducing turn-around time and enhancing operational efficiency by optimizing brake cooling through targeted pressure adjustments and distribution based on individual brake characteristics.
Implementation Method 1
Aircraft wheel brakes are applied to provide braking to reduce the speed of the aircraft. When the brakes are being applied, their temperature may increase.
Implementation Method 2
a first cooling characteristic of the first wheel brake, according to which the first wheel brake cools when in a first retracted position within the aircraft
Implementation Method 3
a first cooling characteristic of the first wheel brake, according to which the first wheel brake cools when in a first retracted position within the aircraft
Data Source
AI summary
A method for controlling the application of aircraft wheel brakes including: controlling the application of a first wheel brake of an aircraft and a second wheel brake of the aircraft in dependence upon a determined relationship to control the time taken for the first wheel brake and the second wheel brake to reach respective specified temperatures. The relationship is determined between a first cooling characteristic of the first wheel brake, according to which the first wheel brake cools when in a first retracted position within the aircraft, and a second cooling characteristic of the second wheel brake, according to which the second wheel brake cools when in a second retracted position within the aircraft.