Aircraft Brake RDPC Architecture for Redundant Actuator Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft brake systems face challenges with electric brakes being heavier than hydraulic versions due to additional complexities and increased wiring requirements, which can compromise system reliability and safety.
Innovation Solution
A remote data and power concentrator (RDPC) architecture is introduced to control electric brake actuators, allowing for redundant control by a primary and secondary brake control unit, reducing wiring complexity and ensuring fail-safe operation by switching between active BCUs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electric brake actuators are used with redundant control units, then system reliability is improved, but device complexity and wiring requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The brake control system is segmented into distinct functional units: primary brake control unit, secondary brake control unit, and remote data power concentrators. Each unit has specific responsibilities, allowing redundant control while distributing complexity across modular components rather than concentrating it in a single complex controller
Solution Approach 2:
The remote data power concentrator acts as an intermediary device that receives commands from both primary and secondary brake control units and routes them to the appropriate electric brake actuators. This mediator simplifies the overall wiring architecture by providing a centralized routing point, reducing the need for direct complex wiring between multiple control units and actuators
2Reliability
If electric brake actuators are used with redundant control units, then system reliability is improved, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The remote data power concentrator combines multiple functions into a single device: it serves as a command router, power distribution point, and communication hub. By merging these functions, the patent avoids the need for separate heavy components for each function, thereby reducing overall system weight while maintaining redundant control capability
Solution Approach 2:
The remote data power concentrator is designed as a universal interface that can handle commands from both primary and secondary control units, distribute power to multiple actuators, and manage communication protocols. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for dedicated heavy-duty components for each specific function
3Ease of manufacture
If wiring complexity is reduced through RDPC architecture, then ease of manufacture is improved, but device complexity must be managed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex wiring and signal routing logic from the brake control units and relocates it to the remote data power concentrators. This extraction simplifies the manufacturing process for the control units while concentrating the routing complexity in standardized concentrator devices that can be manufactured and tested as separate modules
Data Source
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Figure 3A
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a system including a primary brake control unit (204a), a secondary brake control unit (204b), a first remote data power concentrator configured to receive a first command from the primary brake control unit (204a) and a second command from the secondary brake control unit (204b), and an electric brake actuator configured to receive the first command or the second command from the first remote data power concentrator in response to a first signal.