Aircraft Brake Mass Parameter Estimation via Thermal Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft brake discs made of Carbon-Carbon composites experience mass loss due to wear and oxidation, necessitating frequent servicing or replacement, and existing technologies lack effective methods for predicting brake condition and remaining useful life.
Innovation Solution
A processor-based system that determines a mass parameter of the brake assembly by estimating energy absorption and corresponding temperature change, allowing for trend analysis and prediction of future use cycles and brake condition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If brake discs are made of Carbon-Carbon composites to reduce mass, then weight is reduced and performance is improved, but mass loss due to wear and oxidation occurs more rapidly, reducing service life
Solution Approach 1:
The system monitors changes in thermal parameters (temperature, heat capacity) of the brake disc over time to detect mass loss. By tracking the thermal response of the brake disc during operation, the system can determine when the disc has degraded to a point requiring service, enabling optimized maintenance scheduling that extends brake life while ensuring safety.
2Measurement precision
If traditional mass monitoring methods are used to track brake wear, then mass can be measured, but the system is complex and requires direct physical access to the brake
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces direct mechanical mass measurement with thermal-based monitoring. By measuring temperature changes and heat capacity of the brake disc during normal operation, the system can infer mass loss without requiring direct physical access to the brake or complex mechanical measurement devices. This substitution simplifies the monitoring system while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The brake disc itself serves as the sensor by providing thermal response data during normal operation. The disc's inherent thermal properties (specific heat, thermal conductivity) are utilized to detect mass changes, eliminating the need for separate sensing systems. The brake's normal thermal cycles during braking operations are leveraged to gather monitoring data.
3Reliability
If frequent brake servicing is scheduled to ensure safety, then reliability is maintained, but operational time is lost and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides continuous feedback on brake disc condition through thermal parameter monitoring. By tracking temperature response and heat capacity changes, the system generates real-time information about brake health, enabling dynamic adjustment of maintenance schedules. This feedback loop allows operators to extend service intervals when brakes are healthy and schedule maintenance only when actually needed, optimizing both safety and productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection of brake degradation trends before critical wear occurs. By monitoring thermal parameters over time, the system can predict remaining service life and schedule maintenance in advance during planned downtime, preventing unscheduled stoppages and optimizing the timing of service interventions to minimize operational disruption.
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
Enables remote monitoring of brake health, predicting wear and oxidation, and scheduling maintenance to prevent unscheduled service or replacement, thereby optimizing aircraft operations and extending brake lifespan.
Implementation Method 1
brake assembly (200) associated with the wheel (104). The brake assembly (200) comprises a brake disc (202)
Implementation Method 2
a temperature sensor (216) configured to provide an indication of a temperature change at a measurement location
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is a method to and an apparatus comprising a processor configured to determine a mass parameter indicative of a mass of an aircraft brake assembly, the mass parameter determined using an estimated amount of energy absorbed by the brake assembly in a given period of time and a corresponding estimated change in temperature of the brake assembly. Also disclosed is a non-transitory computer readable storage medium having stored thereon instructions which when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform the method.