Aircraft Brake Disc Thickness Compensation via Resurfacing and Reassembly
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft brake discs wear out quickly, necessitating frequent maintenance and replacement, which is costly and inefficient in terms of resource utilization.
Innovation Solution
A method for extending the life of brake discs by resurfacing and reusing them in multiple stacks, where a worn disc is combined with another disc of varying thickness to form new stacks, allowing for three life cycles before replacement, thereby optimizing disc lifetime and reducing recycling costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If brake discs are used in traditional single-life cycles, then maintenance frequency is high and resource utilization is low, but disc replacement costs and downtime increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a disc recovery system where worn brake discs are collected, resurfaced to restore their friction surfaces, and reused in subsequent service cycles. This transforms the traditional linear disposal model into a circular economy approach, extending disc service life while managing thickness reduction through systematic refurbishment and selective replacement
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the disc lifecycle into distinct phases (initial use, resurfacing, reuse, final replacement) and manages thickness compensation differently in each phase. By dividing the service life into multiple可控 stages, the system optimizes the balance between extending disc usage and managing material loss through targeted interventions at appropriate intervals
2Productivity
If worn discs are resurfaced and reused multiple times, then disc lifetime is extended and resource utilization improves, but additional manufacturing and assembly operations are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple operations (resurfacing, thickness measurement, quality inspection, and reassembly) into an integrated renovation workflow. By merging these previously separate processes into a coordinated system, the patent reduces overall complexity while maintaining the ability to extend disc service life through multiple controlled reuse cycles
Solution Approach 2:
The patent systematically changes key parameters (disc thickness, surface roughness, material hardness) through controlled processes during each renovation cycle. By monitoring and adjusting these parameters within defined thresholds, the system extends disc lifetime without requiring overly complex intervention procedures at each stage
3Reliability
If discs are frequently replaced instead of reused, then brake system reliability is maintained, but manufacturing costs and environmental impact increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary resurfacing and quality restoration operations on worn discs before they are returned to service, ensuring that reliability requirements are met without needing to manufacture entirely new discs. This advance refurbishment maintains brake system performance while significantly reducing the energy consumption associated with full disc replacement and manufacturing
Data Source
Figure 1~2b
Figure 3a~5b
Figure 4~6
AI summary
The invention relates to a method of using and renovating a brake disc (9) comprising the steps of using the disc over several lives and compensating for a decrease in disc thickness after each life by assembling the disc with a complementary portion or by associating the disc with another rotor or stator type disc if the disc is respectively of stator or rotor type.