Aircraft Brake Control Mode Degradation for Sensor Failure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aircraft brake systems lack effective control strategies to manage failures in brake components, such as wheel speed and force sensors, which can lead to suboptimal braking performance and safety issues during system malfunctions.
Innovation Solution
A feedback regulation scheme that dynamically changes based on the operational status of the brake system, degrading from deceleration braking control to force braking control and then to open-loop braking control when sensor malfunctions occur, ensuring optimal braking performance across all or affected brake/wheel combinations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single feedback regulation scheme is used for all operating conditions, then the control system is simple, but braking performance deteriorates when sensor failures occur
Solution Approach 1:
The control system dynamically switches between different feedback regulation schemes based on sensor operational status. The BSCU monitors sensor health and transitions from first feedback regulation scheme (normal operation) to second feedback regulation scheme (degraded operation) when sensor failures are detected, optimizing braking performance for each operating condition
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the control parameters and regulation strategy based on sensor availability. When wheel speed sensors fail, the system transitions from speed-based feedback control to alternative control schemes that rely on different measurement parameters, maintaining braking effectiveness despite parameter loss
2Reliability
If the feedback regulation scheme is degraded for all brakes when one sensor fails, then system safety is improved, but braking efficiency deteriorates for unaffected brakes
Solution Approach 1:
The control system segments the brake system into independent controllable units. When a sensor failure is detected in one wheel/brake combination, only the affected brake is degraded to the second feedback regulation scheme while other brakes maintain the first feedback regulation scheme, allowing localized fault management without compromising overall system performance
Solution Approach 2:
Different feedback regulation schemes are applied to different brake units based on their local sensor status. Brakes with functional sensors operate under optimal control (first scheme), while brakes with sensor failures operate under degraded control (second scheme), ensuring each unit receives appropriate control quality matching its operational capability
Data Source
AI summary
A system, apparatus and method of controlling a braking system of a vehicle having a plurality of rotating wheels and a plurality of brakes, each brake corresponding to one of the plurality of wheels, is provided. In controlling the brakes, an operational status of the braking system is determined. Based on the determined operational status, different feedback regulation schemes are selectively implemented to control the brake force applied by the brakes.