Aircraft Brake Cooling Using Airflow Amplifier Entrainment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft braking assemblies experience significant heat generation during braking, leading to oxidation and damage of friction disks, which reduces their usable life.
Innovation Solution
A system that includes an airflow amplifier coupled to a wheel assembly, utilizing compressed gas to entrain ambient air and direct it to the braking assembly, thereby reducing the temperature of the friction disks through convective cooling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If friction disks are pressed together during braking, then braking force is generated, but significant heat is generated causing oxidation and damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful heat generated during braking into a beneficial cooling opportunity by directing compressed air flow through the friction disks. The heat that causes oxidation is transformed into a temperature differential that drives convective cooling, extending friction disk life while maintaining braking performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs compressed air (pneumatics) as the cooling medium, utilizing the aircraft's existing compressed air system to flow through the friction disks. This pneumatic cooling system removes heat without adding mechanical complexity, directly addressing the oxidation problem caused by braking heat
2Temperature
If carbon-carbon composite materials are used for friction disks, then heat resistance is improved, but oxidation damage still occurs at elevated temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous compressed air flow through the friction disks during and after braking operations. This continuous cooling action maintains the friction disk temperature below oxidation thresholds throughout the braking cycle, ensuring reliable operation and extending service life of the carbon-carbon composite materials
3Object-affected harmful factors
If airflow amplifier is mounted to rotating rim, then cooling effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases due to bearing and dynamic seal requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a mounting plate as an intermediary component that couples the airflow amplifier to the wheel assembly. This mounting plate serves as a stationary interface that receives compressed air and directs it to the friction disks without requiring rotating connections, thereby reducing complexity by eliminating bearing and dynamic seal requirements while maintaining effective cooling
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 effectively inhibits oxidation and damage to the friction disks, thereby extending their lifespan by maintaining lower temperatures during and between brake usage.
Implementation Method 1
the airflow amplifier is configured to entrain ambient air ('entrained air') in response to compressed gas from the compressed gas source flowing to the airflow amplifier via the conduit
Implementation Method 2
the airflow amplifier is configured to entrain ambient air ('entrained air') in response to compressed gas from the compressed gas source flowing to the airflow amplifier via the conduit
Implementation Method 3
The airflow amplifier may be configured to direct the entrained air and the compressed gas to the braking assembly to reduce the temperature of the braking assembly
Data Source
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AI summary
A system for reducing a temperature of a braking assembly (320) includes the braking assembly of a wheel assembly, an airflow amplifier (310), and a conduit (305). The braking assembly includes a plurality of friction disks. The airflow amplifier (310) is coupled to the wheel assembly, and the conduit (305) extends from a compressed gas source (301) to the airflow amplifier (310). Generally, the airflow amplifier is configured to entrain ambient air ("entrained air") in response to compressed gas from the compressed gas source flowing to the airflow amplifier (310) via the conduit (305). The airflow amplifier (310) is configured to direct the entrained air and the compressed gas to the braking assembly (320) to reduce the temperature of the braking assembly.