Aircraft Brake Thermal Control for Shorter Turnaround Time
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft braking systems face challenges with increased brake temperatures leading to longer braking distances, increased wear, and extended turnaround times due to inefficient heat management during normal operating conditions.
Innovation Solution
An aircraft brake temperature control system that utilizes a controller to regulate brake temperature through a thermal management system, employing fluid moving devices and natural convection to manage heat, with modes for varying flow rates and speeds based on flight conditions and objectives such as performance, lifespan, and noise reduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the aircraft uses conventional braking systems without active thermal management, then the system is simple and reliable, but brake temperature increases leading to longer braking distances and increased wear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the thermal management function from the conventional braking system by introducing a separate air flow system with fans and ducts that actively removes heat from the brake assembly, allowing the braking function and cooling function to operate independently yet concurrently
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary cooling action by activating fans and directing air flow to the brake assembly before the brake temperature reaches critical levels, preventing excessive heat buildup rather than merely responding to overheating conditions
2Reliability
If the aircraft employs active cooling systems to reduce brake temperature, then braking performance and brake life improve, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements multi-functionality by designing the air flow system to serve multiple purposes: cooling the brake assembly, preventing moisture ingress into the brake components, and potentially aiding in contamination removal, thereby consolidating multiple functions into a single integrated system
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes the aircraft's existing air supply infrastructure and natural air flow paths to provide cooling, reducing the need for dedicated complex cooling machinery and allowing the system to leverage already-available resources for thermal management
3Productivity
If the aircraft operates brakes frequently without adequate cooling intervals, then productivity increases, but brake wear and temperature-related failures increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent ensures continuous cooling action by maintaining air flow to the brake assembly throughout the operation cycle, including during intervals between braking events, thereby continuously removing heat and preventing cumulative temperature buildup that would otherwise extend turnaround time between flights
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
The system effectively reduces brake temperature, improving brake life and performance, and reducing turnaround times by actively managing heat during flight and on the ground, thus addressing safety and operational efficiency concerns.
Implementation Method 1
the controller is configured to cause at least one fluid moving device to drive a flow of fluid onto the brake to control the temperature of the brake
Implementation Method 2
employing fluid moving devices and natural convection to manage heat
Data Source
AI summary
An aircraft brake temperature control system (BTCS) (100) for controlling a temperature of a brake (220) of a landing gear (201) of the aircraft (200). The BTCS (100) includes a controller (110) configured to cause a thermal management system (2000) to regulate the temperature of the brake (220), on the basis of a selection of an objective for regulating the temperature of brake from a plurality of objectives (121), (122) for regulating the temperature of the brake. An aircraft (200) includes the BTCS; and a method (300) controls a temperature of a brake of a landing gear of an aircraft.