Aircraft Brake Controller Wheel Lock Trigger Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft braking systems face unpredictability during low-speed operations, as locked wheel protection mechanisms can disrupt steering by misinterpreting steering maneuvers as imminent skids, leading to unpredictable aircraft movements and pilot discomfort.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that determine an aircraft reference speed and identify differences in wheel rotational velocities to calculate a compensation factor, adjusting the locked wheel trigger velocity accordingly, thereby preventing unnecessary locked wheel protection during steering events.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If locked wheel protection is activated to prevent tire skidding, then wheel lock protection is improved, but aircraft steering control deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the locked wheel trigger velocity parameter based on aircraft reference speed and turning radius. At low speeds where steering maneuvers occur, the trigger velocity is raised to allow temporary wheel speed differences during turns without activating protection. This parameter adaptation enables the system to distinguish between genuine skid conditions and normal steering operations, maintaining both protection reliability and steering ease of operation
2Reliability
If locked wheel protection releases all braking pressure to prevent skid, then wheel skid prevention is improved, but aircraft directional control deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system modifies the trigger velocity parameter as a function of aircraft reference speed and turning radius, creating a speed-dependent protection threshold. At low speeds during steering maneuvers, the elevated trigger velocity prevents premature protection activation that would cause unpredictable movements. The parameter dynamically adapts to operational context, ensuring skid prevention reliability while avoiding harmful unpredictable aircraft movements during normal steering
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors wheel velocity differences, aircraft reference speed, and turning radius to dynamically adjust the trigger velocity parameter. This feedback mechanism allows the system to recognize when wheel speed differences are due to steering rather than skidding, preventing inappropriate protection activation that would disrupt directional control and create unpredictable aircraft movements
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems and methods disclosed herein may be useful for braking systems for use in, for example, an aircraft. A method is disclosed comprising determining, at a brake controller, an aircraft reference speed for an aircraft having a first wheel and a second wheel, identifying, at the brake controller, a state comprising the first wheel having a different rotational velocity than the second wheel, wherein the difference in rotational velocity sums to about zero, calculating, at the brake controller, a compensation factor for at least one of the first wheel and the second wheel, and adjusting, at the brake controller, a locked wheel trigger velocity in accordance with the compensation factor.