Aircraft Braking Actuator Current Monitoring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing monitoring systems for electromechanical aircraft braking actuators are sensitive to environmental disturbances and result in weight increases due to additional equipment, failing to effectively detect malfunctions like accidental locking without continuous pilot intervention.

Innovation Solution

A method that compares the current value of an electromechanical actuator's power supply with a reference current value from other actuators to detect abnormal operations, using pre-existing sensors to identify differences above a threshold, thereby reducing sensitivity to environmental disturbances and avoiding weight increases.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If existing monitoring means are implemented to detect malfunctions of electromechanical actuators, then the reliability of braking system is improved, but the weight of the system increases due to additional sensors and equipment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection of abnormal operationVSAvoidweight of electromechanical actuator

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The electromechanical actuator monitors its own operational state by analyzing its own power supply current characteristics. The control means evaluate whether the actuator is correctly executing braking commands by comparing actual current consumption against expected current profiles, enabling self-diagnosis without external monitoring sensors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces physical monitoring sensors and additional hardware with an electrical/current-based monitoring approach. By substituting mechanical sensing equipment with analysis of electrical current characteristics already present in the system, the weight increase is avoided while maintaining detection capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If additional sensors and monitoring equipment are added to detect blocking member malfunctions, then the measurement precision of actuator state is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection of blocking member stateVSAvoidnumber of sensors and equipment

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control means perform self-monitoring by evaluating the actuator's own electrical characteristics. The system uses its existing control infrastructure to assess whether the blocking member is correctly positioned by analyzing current consumption patterns during different operational phases, eliminating the need for separate position sensors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The control means serve multiple functions: they both control the actuator's braking operation and simultaneously monitor its operational correctness. This multi-functionality allows the same electronic components to perform both control and diagnostic roles, reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If traditional monitoring methods are used that are sensitive to environmental disturbances, then the detection capability is improved, but the reliability decreases due to false detections under thermal and electromechanical stress

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensitivity to abnormal operationVSAvoidresistance to environmental disturbances

Core Design Contradiction:

Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control means continuously monitor the actuator's power supply current and compare it against expected current profiles for correct operation. This feedback mechanism allows real-time detection of deviations indicating malfunction, while the use of current-based metrics provides inherent resistance to thermal and environmental disturbances that would affect other sensing methods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the monitoring parameter from physical quantities sensitive to environmental disturbances (such as position or force sensors) to electrical current characteristics. By monitoring power supply current instead of mechanical parameters, the system achieves reliable detection that is insensitive to thermal expansion, electromagnetic interference, and other environmental factors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS9815447B2Method for monitoring at least two electromechanical braking actuators

Publication Date: 2017.11.14 SAFRAN LANDING SYSTEMS

AI summary

A method for monitoring at least two aircraft wheel electromechanical braking actuators. For each electromechanical actuator, the method includes first determining a current value representative of the power supply current of the electromechanical actuator and determining a reference current value estimated from the power supply currents of at least one other electromechanical actuator. Then, the representative current value and the reference current value are compared. Any abnormal operation of the electromechanical actuator is detected when the difference between the representative current value and the reference current value is above a predetermined threshold.