Aircraft Emergency Park Brake Electro-Hydraulic Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft braking systems lack efficient manual and remote control capabilities for emergency and park braking, particularly in unmanned situations, and face challenges in meeting safety and weight/economic considerations.
Innovation Solution
A brake system architecture incorporating a controller, vehicle management system, shut-off valves, servo valves, and redundant emergency/park power sources, with a tangible memory storing instructions to manage power signals for valve operation, enabling both manual and automatic control of emergency and park braking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a mechanical cable-based control system is used for emergency and park braking, then the system structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the system lacks efficient manual and remote control capabilities and cannot meet modern safety requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical cable-based control system with an electro-hydraulic control system. Electrical signals from the controller actuate electronic control valves (solenoid-operated shut-off valves and servo valves) that regulate hydraulic pressure to the brakes, enabling remote control capabilities while maintaining braking effectiveness and meeting modern safety requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces hydraulic fluid as an intermediary between the electrical control system and the mechanical brake components. The electro-hydraulic system uses controlled hydraulic pressure transmission to bridge the gap between electronic valve actuation and mechanical brake force application, enabling efficient remote control while isolating the complexity of electrical-hydraulic coordination from the pilot interface.
2Reliability
If redundant emergency/park power sources are implemented, then system reliability and safety are improved, but system complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the hydraulic power supply into multiple independent sources, with each power source connected to specific subsets of brake systems through dedicated control valves. This segmentation allows selective activation of power sources and brake systems, enabling redundancy without requiring all power sources to be simultaneously active, thereby managing weight while ensuring reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements differentiated power source allocation where different emergency/park power sources are assigned to different brake systems or wheel groups based on specific operational requirements. This local quality approach ensures that each brake system has access to sufficient power sources for its reliability needs without duplicating full power source redundancy across the entire aircraft, optimizing the weight-reliability trade-off.
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 supports safe and efficient manual and remote-controlled emergency and park braking while addressing safety and economic/weight concerns by ensuring reliable operation and redundancy in power sources.
Implementation Method 1
A hydraulic system may include a park/emergency power source, a shut off valve, and an outboard and inboard servo valve
Implementation Method 2
sending, by the controller, at least one of a first power signal and a second power signal to a shut-off valve (SOV), wherein in response to at least one of the first power signal or second power signal, the SOV is configured to open
Implementation Method 3
sending, by the controller, the largest of a plurality of signals to an outboard valve (OBV), wherein the plurality of signals comprises a VMS signal, a park value, and an emergency value, wherein in response to the largest signal being sent to the OBV, the OBV is configured to at least partially open
Data Source
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AI summary
A brake system is provided. The brake system may comprise a controller, a vehicle management system (VMS), a shut-off valve (SOV) 242, an outboard valve (OBV) 244, an inboard valve (IBV) 246, a control module 240, an emergency/park power source 216, and a tangible, non-transitory memory configured to communicate with the controller. The VMS may be in communication with the controller. The control module may be in communication with the SOV, OBV, and IBV. The SOV may be in communication with the controller. The OBV may be in communication with the controller and in fluid communication with the SOV. The IBV may be in communication with the controller and in fluid communication with the SOV. The emergency/park power source may be in fluid communication with the SOV.