Aircraft Thrust Reverser Control for Faster Landing Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft pilots face challenges in timely and accurate activation of thrust reversers during landing or aborted take-off, especially in stressful conditions like bad weather, leading to potential longitudinal runway excursions due to delayed or forgotten actuation.
Innovation Solution
A system that automatically controls thrust reversal by detecting conditions for activation, such as weight on wheels and engine power reduction, using a reverse idle control mechanism, which can be armed during pre-flight preparations, reducing pilot workload and reaction time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the pilot manually actuates the thrust reversers during landing, then the pilot maintains control over the braking process, but the reaction time is delayed and the risk of forgetting to actuate increases under stressful conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by automatically detecting landing conditions (weight on wheels, engine power reduction) and actuating the thrust reversers before the pilot can manually respond. The reverse idle control is pre-configured to trigger automatically when specific parameters are met, eliminating the need for pilot reaction time during the critical braking phase.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service by making the aircraft's control system automatically monitor its own state (weight on wheels, engine power) and autonomously activate the thrust reversers without pilot intervention. The aircraft essentially serves itself by detecting landing conditions and executing the braking maneuver independently.
2Loss of time
If the auto brake system is used to automatically actuate friction brakes, then the reaction time is reduced, but the braking efficiency is insufficient on wet airstrips or when excessive time has passed during flare
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the automatic brake system with the thrust reverser control system. When landing conditions are detected, both the friction brakes and thrust reversers are activated simultaneously or in coordinated sequence, combining their braking effects to overcome the limitations of either system alone on wet surfaces or delayed landings.
Solution Approach 2:
The braking solution uses a composite approach by combining two different braking mechanisms (friction brakes and thrust reversers) into a unified automatic braking system. This composite braking strategy leverages the advantages of both systems: the immediate response of automatic brake actuation and the enhanced braking capability of thrust reversers on wet surfaces.
3Loss of time
If the pilot positions the control lever in reverse idle position during final landing phase, then the reverse thrust can be implemented with reduced response time, but the pilot remains under significant stress and may still actuate too late or forget to actuate
Solution Approach 1:
The system eliminates the need for pilot action by making the control system automatically monitor landing parameters (weight on wheels, engine power) and autonomously activate the thrust reversers. The aircraft's systems serve themselves by detecting the appropriate moment and executing the braking maneuver without requiring pilot attention or manual lever positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from multiple sensors (weight on wheels detection, engine power monitoring) to automatically determine when landing conditions are met. This feedback loop allows the system to respond automatically to changing flight conditions, eliminating the need for continuous pilot monitoring and manual intervention during the critical final approach and landing phase.
Data Source
AI summary
This system (36) for controlling an aircraft thrust reversal means comprises a reverse idle control means (38), a first detection means (31) configured to detect, when the reverse idle control is active, a condition for activation of the thrust reversal means, and an actuation means (52) configured to activate the thrust reversal means when the first detection means (31) detects a condition for activation of the thrust reversal means.It further comprises a second detection means (42, 44, 46, 48, 49) configured to detect a condition for activation of the reverse idle control, the control means (38) being configured to activate the reverse idle control when the second detection means (42, 44, 46, 48, 49) detects a condition for activating the reverse idle control.