Aircraft Wheel Brake Hub Layout for Higher Energy Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft braking systems face challenges in absorbing increasing braking energy due to rising aircraft sizes and weights, leading to size and weight penalties that impact operational efficiency, especially in supersonic operations, where weight and drag penalties are exacerbated.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a brake assembly into the hub portion of the aircraft wheel assembly, where the brake assembly occupies substantially all the available volume, providing increased braking energy without enlarging the wheel or landing gear, and allowing for accessible removal and replacement without dismounting the wheel from the landing gear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the volume of the braking system is increased to absorb increased braking energy, then the braking energy absorption capability is improved, but the size of the wheel assemblies and landing gear increases, resulting in unacceptable size and weight penalties
Solution Approach 1:
The brake assembly is nested within the hub portion of the wheel assembly, with the brake rotor and stator arranged concentrically around the wheel axle. The brake assembly occupies the internal volume of the hub portion, effectively utilizing space that would otherwise be empty or structurally necessary, thereby increasing braking energy absorption without increasing the external dimensions of the wheel assembly
Solution Approach 2:
The brake assembly is configured to occupy substantially all of the volume defined by the hub portion in multiple dimensions - radially extending from the wheel axle, axially along the hub length, and circumferentially around the rotor. This multi-dimensional space utilization maximizes brake material volume within the constrained external envelope of the wheel assembly
2Use of energy by moving object
If the volume of the braking system is increased to absorb increased braking energy, then the braking energy absorption capability is improved, but the weight of the wheel assemblies and landing gear increases, resulting in weight penalties that adversely impact operational efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The brake assembly is nested within the hub portion of the wheel assembly, with the brake rotor and stator arranged concentrically around the wheel axle. The brake assembly occupies the internal volume of the hub portion, effectively utilizing space that would otherwise be empty or structurally necessary, thereby increasing braking energy absorption without increasing the external dimensions of the wheel assembly
Solution Approach 2:
The brake assembly is configured to occupy substantially all of the volume defined by the hub portion in multiple dimensions - radially extending from the wheel axle, axially along the hub length, and circumferentially around the rotor. This multi-dimensional space utilization maximizes brake material volume within the constrained external envelope of the wheel assembly
3Use of energy by moving object
If the brake assembly is integrated into the hub portion occupying substantially all volume, then the braking energy absorption is improved, but the complexity of assembly and maintenance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The brake assembly is designed as a separate, modular unit that can be independently removed from the wheel assembly through the axle opening. This segmentation allows the brake components (rotor, stator, and mounting structure) to be serviced, replaced, or inspected without requiring removal of the entire wheel assembly from the landing gear, thereby reducing maintenance complexity despite the integrated volume utilization
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 solution enhances braking energy absorption within a given installation volume, avoiding weight and drag penalties, and simplifies maintenance by allowing brake assembly replacement without jacking the aircraft, thus improving operational efficiency and performance.
Implementation Method 1
the braking system may be employed to sufficiently reduce the speed of the aircraft... the aircraft braking system typically converts kinetic energy of the aircraft (1/2 mv2) into heat energy... brake rotors and stators to absorb this energy in the form of heat
Data Source
AI summary
An aircraft wheel and brake system includes a wheel assembly mounted on an axle portion of landing gear of an aircraft. The aircraft wheel and brake assembly may include a brake assembly installed within an interior space defined by the axle portion of the landing gear. The brake assembly may occupy substantially all of an interior installation volume defined by the axle portion, thus increasing a brake mass that can be accommodated by a given axle/wheel size/configuration. The brake assembly may be accessible at an open outboard side of the axle portion, allowing for removal and replacement of the brake assembly without removal of the wheel assembly from the axle portion of the landing gear and/or lifting of the aircraft to facilitate removal of the wheel assembly. The wheel assembly may include a tire mounted on a rim assembly including multiple rim portions coupled by an interior fastening ring.