Aircraft Braking Test Timing Before Landing Gear Extension
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pre-landing tests (PLT) for aircraft braking systems are often incomplete before landing due to the requirement for landing gear extension, leading to potential undesirable wear of aircraft tires if initiated late in the landing procedure.
Innovation Solution
A controller system that initiates at least part of the braking system interrogation procedure before the landing gear extension command, based on predetermined stages in the landing procedure, using sensor data and flight crew approval, to ensure complete testing before touchdown.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the pre-landing test is initiated after the landing gear extension command, then the test can be performed with the landing gear extended, but the test may not be completed before touchdown, causing tire wear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by initiating the braking system interrogation procedure before the landing gear extension command is issued. The controller detects when the aircraft is at a predetermined stage in the landing procedure (before gear extension) and starts the test early, allowing sufficient time for completion before touchdown. This resolves the contradiction by performing the test in advance rather than waiting for gear extension, ensuring both test completeness and avoiding tire wear.
2Loss of time
If the pre-landing test is initiated early in the landing procedure, then there is sufficient time for test completion, but the test may interfere with other landing preparations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses feedback by having the controller continuously monitor aircraft state parameters (such as landing gear control lever position, altitude, speed) to determine when the predetermined stage is reached. The test initiation is triggered by feedback from these sensors, ensuring it occurs at the optimal moment that provides sufficient time for completion without interfering with other landing preparations. This resolves the contradiction by using real-time feedback to coordinate test initiation with the overall landing procedure.
Data Source
AI summary
An aircraft system for an aircraft is disclosed having a controller that is configured to receive at least one signal during a landing procedure of the aircraft and to determine that the aircraft is at a predetermined stage in the landing procedure, on the basis of the at least one signal. The predetermined stage in the landing procedure is before a command to extend at least one landing gear of the aircraft is issued during the landing procedure. The controller is configured to cause initiation of at least a part of a procedure to interrogate an aircraft braking system, on the basis of the determination.