Aircraft Brake Controller Deceleration Rate Hierarchy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional aircraft braking systems face challenges in accurately determining deceleration rates due to potential inaccuracies or failures in avionics deceleration data, which can lead to unreliable braking control and increased stress on pilots.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that utilize multiple sources, including avionics units and accelerometers, to determine a likely accurate deceleration rate by comparing and validating data from avionics, first, and second accelerometers, and wheel speed sensors, with a brake controller configured to select the most reliable source based on predetermined criteria, ensuring robustness and accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If avionics deceleration data is used for braking control, then braking control can be implemented, but the data may be inaccurate or invalid leading to unreliable control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple deceleration rate sources (avionics unit, first accelerometer, second accelerometer, wheel speed sensors) into a unified braking control system. The brake controller receives deceleration rates from all sources and uses a hierarchy of sources to determine the most reliable value, ensuring continuous accurate control even when one source fails or provides inaccurate data.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter source dynamically by implementing a hierarchy of sources. When avionics deceleration data is invalid or inaccurate, the system automatically switches to alternative sources (accelerometers or wheel speed sensors) to provide the deceleration rate for braking control, maintaining system reliability through parameter substitution.
2Reliability
If multiple deceleration rate sources are used, then accuracy and robustness improve, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the deceleration rate determination function across multiple independent sources (avionics unit, accelerometers, wheel speed sensors). Each source operates independently and provides deceleration data through separate channels, allowing the system to isolate and evaluate each source's validity without affecting the others.
Solution Approach 2:
The brake controller serves as an intermediary that receives deceleration rates from multiple sources, validates them against predetermined criteria, and selects the most reliable source according to a hierarchy. This intermediary component manages the complexity by centralizing the decision-making logic for source selection.
3Ease of operation
If avionics deceleration data is relied upon, then braking control is simplified, but pilot stress increases due to unreliable data
Solution Approach 1:
The system prepares for potential avionics data failures by having predetermined alternative sources ready. The hierarchy of sources is established in advance, and when avionics data becomes invalid or inaccurate, the system automatically transitions to alternative sources without requiring pilot intervention, cushioning against the harmful effect of pilot stress.
4Measurement precision
If deceleration rate accuracy is improved through multiple sources, then braking control reliability improves, but response time may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary validation of deceleration rate sources by continuously monitoring multiple sources and pre-establishing a hierarchy of reliability. This preliminary action ensures that when the primary avionics source becomes invalid, the system can immediately switch to the next available source in the hierarchy without time-consuming analysis or pilot intervention.
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 provides a robust and accurate determination of deceleration rates, even when avionics data is invalid or inaccurate, by leveraging accelerometer and wheel speed data, thereby enhancing the reliability and safety of aircraft braking control.
Implementation Method 1
a first accelerometer configured to detect a first accelerometer deceleration rate
Data Source
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AI summary
A system for determining a deceleration rate of an aircraft, in various embodiments, includes at least one component capable of transmitting a first deceleration rate. The system also includes a brake control unit coupled to the at least one component and having a brake controller that is configured to receive the first deceleration rate from the at least one component and to determine a likely accurate deceleration rate based on the first deceleration rate, a second deceleration rate and a hierarchy of sources of deceleration rates.