Aircraft Brake Control System Friction Mapping
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current brake control systems for aircraft are inefficient in assessing and adapting to varying runway conditions, leading to reduced braking performance and increased stop distances due to the lack of real-time information on tire/runway interface friction properties.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that continuously assess tire/runway friction properties using real-time data from wheel speed sensors, tire pressure sensors, and location sensors to control brake torque, estimating friction coefficients and slip ratios, and creating a friction map for efficient braking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If brake control systems use traditional assessment methods to determine runway friction properties, then they can obtain friction information, but the time required to assess braking conditions increases, reducing braking performance and increasing stop distances
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary friction mapping during taxiing operations before landing, using wheel speed sensors and location sensors to collect data and build a friction map of the runway. This preliminary assessment eliminates the need for time-consuming friction evaluation after touchdown, allowing the aircraft to immediately use pre-determined friction properties for optimal brake control.
2Productivity
If brake control systems continuously monitor and adapt to real-time runway conditions, then braking performance is optimized, but the complexity of the control system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses existing multi-functional sensors (wheel speed sensors, location sensors, tire pressure sensors) already present in modern aircraft for multiple purposes: monitoring wheel rotation during taxiing to build friction maps, tracking position along the runway, and providing data for real-time brake control adjustments. This approach enables continuous adaptation to runway conditions without adding dedicated specialized hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors wheel speed, location, and tire pressure data to detect skid events and assess actual friction conditions during braking. This feedback is processed to update the friction map and adjust brake control in real-time, creating a closed-loop control system that adapts to changing runway conditions while maintaining manageable complexity through algorithmic processing of existing sensor data.
3Measurement precision
If the system collects and processes real-time data from multiple sensors to estimate friction coefficients, then the precision of friction property determination improves, but the computational requirements and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary friction mapping during the taxiing phase before landing, using collected wheel speed and location data to pre-calculate friction coefficients and build a friction map. This preliminary computation reduces the real-time processing burden during actual braking operations, as the system can reference pre-computed friction properties while making minimal real-time adjustments based on actual 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
Enables efficient and smooth braking performance by maintaining optimal slip velocity, reducing skid events, and minimizing stop distances by providing real-time adaptation to changing runway conditions.
Implementation Method 1
the tire/runway interface friction properties
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Systems and methods for a tire/runway friction property estimation method based on measured wheel speed, calculated acceleration, wheel reference and tire normal force estimation are disclosed. Based on the resulting estimations, a map and/or function of position for the friction properties may be formed and transmitted to external systems after an aircraft stop is completed.