Aircraft Electrical Braking System Phase Current Oscillation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electrical braking systems in aircraft face heating issues due to continuous high motor current supply, leading to winding degradation, which is mitigated by over-dimensioning, increasing mass and bulk.
Innovation Solution
A control method and system that modulates the phase current to the electric motor windings, causing it to oscillate around the setpoint current, reducing continuous current supply and minimizing heating, even during constant force applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the windings are over-dimensioned to avoid heating, then the reliability is improved, but the weight and volume increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by oscillating the phase current around its setpoint value. This creates time-varying current patterns that reduce continuous thermal loading on the windings, allowing smaller winding dimensions while maintaining reliability during constant force application scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the current parameter from a static continuous value to a dynamically oscillating value around the setpoint. This parameter transformation reduces the effective RMS current and thermal stress on the windings, enabling weight reduction while preserving braking performance and reliability.
2Reliability
If the windings are over-dimensioned to avoid heating, then the reliability is improved, but the bulk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The periodic oscillation of phase current around the setpoint reduces continuous thermal loading, allowing for compact winding designs that maintain reliability without excessive volume.
Solution Approach 2:
Transforming the current from continuous to oscillating around setpoint reduces thermal stress, enabling more compact actuator volume while preserving winding reliability during constant force operations.
3Force
If continuous high current is supplied to maintain constant force, then the braking performance is improved, but the heating increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by oscillating the phase current around the setpoint value. This creates time-varying current that maintains the average braking force while reducing continuous thermal loading through the oscillatory pattern, thereby controlling winding temperature during constant force application.
Solution Approach 2:
The current parameter is transformed from a continuous high value to an oscillating value around the setpoint. This parameter change maintains the effective braking force while reducing the RMS current and associated Joule heating, solving the temperature issue without sacrificing braking performance.
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 allows for the design of lighter and more compact electrical braking systems by avoiding the need for over-dimensioning windings, effectively reducing heating and maintaining braking performance.
Implementation Method 1
the winding(s) constituting the electric motor can be supplied continuously with a high motor current for a long duration, with as its consequence a heating of the windings due to Joule effect losses
Data Source
AI summary
A control method of an electrical braking system for aircraft includes a plurality of electromechanical actuators capable of applying a braking force on friction members. Each electromechanical actuator includes an electric motor equipped with one or more windings. The braking system further includes at least one power module configured to send to each electric motor winding a phase current and at least one control module configured to control, in response to a braking setpoint, the sending by the power module of a setpoint phase current determined depending on the braking force to be applied. The method further includes the variation of the phase current transmitted to each winding of the electric motor so as to cause the phase current to oscillate around the setpoint phase current.