Aircraft Brake Proportioning via Dynamic Force Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current braking distribution methods in aircraft fail to optimize brake usage, leading to uneven wear and potential overheating of friction elements, as well as inadequate energy dissipation, which can result in reduced braking performance and accelerated wear.
Innovation Solution
A method that estimates the energy to be dissipated by each group of brakes and dynamically adjusts unit braking setpoints to ensure efficient energy dissipation while minimizing wear and preserving aircraft components, allowing for real-time distribution adjustments based on operational criteria such as minimizing friction and tire wear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If braking forces are distributed equally among all brakes, then the braking system is simple to control, but uneven wear and overheating occur in certain brakes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic brake force distribution by continuously monitoring the temperature of each brake and adjusting the braking force in real-time. The control system varies the braking force applied to each brake based on its current thermal state, transitioning from static equal distribution to dynamic adaptive distribution. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining operational simplicity while achieving uniform wear through real-time adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a feedback mechanism where temperature sensors monitor each brake's thermal state and feed this information back to the control system. The controller then adjusts the braking force distribution accordingly, creating a closed-loop system. This feedback approach maintains ease of operation while ensuring reliable uniform wear by automatically compensating for individual brake conditions.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If braking forces are distributed to reduce overall wear, then friction element lifespan increases, but certain brakes overheat and reach accelerated wear temperature ranges
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by treating each brake individually rather than as a uniform group. The control system monitors and adjusts the braking force for each specific brake based on its local thermal conditions. This allows the system to extend overall friction element lifespan while preventing localized overheating by adapting the braking force to each brake's specific state.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of braking force distribution from a fixed value to a variable parameter that depends on each brake's temperature. By making the braking force a function of thermal state, the system simultaneously extends friction element lifespan and maintains safe temperature levels, resolving the contradiction between durability and thermal management.
3Reliability
If anti-slip protection reduces braking force on slipping wheels, then wheel slip is prevented, but total braking effort falls below the braking target
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary control system that coordinates between anti-slip protection requirements and overall braking targets. When wheel slip is detected, the control system redistributes the braking force among non-slipping brakes rather than simply reducing total braking force. This intermediary redistribution maintains both wheel slip prevention and adequate total braking effort.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by proactively redistributing braking force before total braking effort becomes insufficient. When one brake reduces force due to anti-slip protection, the system preemptively increases force on other brakes to compensate, ensuring the total braking target is maintained while still preventing wheel slip.
4Loss of substance
If brakes are divided into fixed fractions for alternating use, then overall wear is reduced, but braking distribution cannot adapt to real-time brake conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static fixed-fraction brake distribution into a dynamic system that adapts to real-time brake conditions. Instead of predetermined alternating patterns, the control system continuously monitors brake temperatures and adjusts the distribution of braking forces accordingly. This dynamic approach maintains reduced overall wear while achieving adaptability to individual brake states.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by predicting future brake temperatures based on current conditions and energy dissipation estimates. The control system proactively adjusts the braking force distribution before thermal imbalances develop into problems, maintaining both reduced overall wear and adaptability to anticipated brake conditions.
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 optimizes brake usage by dynamically distributing braking forces, reducing wear and heat disparities among brakes, and ensuring efficient energy dissipation, thereby extending the lifespan of aircraft components and maintaining effective braking performance.
Implementation Method 1
dissipate by friction in the brakes the energy necessary for the required deceleration of the aircraft
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention concerns a method for brake control of an aircraft comprising multiple brakes having friction elements, including the following steps, for at least one brake group (12, 13): estimating a brake load to be achieved by said brake group; estimating unit brake loads for each of the brakes of said group such that all the unit brake loads enable, at least under normal operating conditions of the brakes, a braking to be provided according to the required brake load level, the unit brake loads being determined to satisfy at least one other given operational objective as well.