Dual Electric Brake Actuator Layout for Lighter Aircraft Parking Brakes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft electric brake systems are heavier and more complex due to the additional components and wiring required for electric parking brake mechanisms, which increases weight and complexity.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a dual electric brake actuator system where one subset includes a parking brake mechanism and the other does not, with a controller managing both to apply braking forces efficiently, reducing the need for parking brake mechanisms in all actuators and associated wiring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electric brake actuators include parking brake mechanisms, then parking brake functionality is achieved, but weight and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The brake system is segmented into two distinct subsets: a first subset of electric brake actuators equipped with parking brake mechanisms, and a second subset without parking brake mechanisms. This segmentation allows the parking brake functionality to be distributed only where necessary, reducing overall system weight while maintaining required functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the brake system have different functions and configurations. The first subset of actuators has full parking brake capability while the second subset is optimized for braking only. This local differentiation ensures that weight is not added to components where it is not needed, while still providing parking brake functionality where required.
2Reliability
If all electric brake actuators include parking brake mechanisms, then parking brake reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The brake system is divided into functional subsets where only the first subset includes parking brake mechanisms. This segmentation reduces device complexity by eliminating redundant parking brake components from the second subset of actuators, while maintaining reliable parking brake functionality through the first subset.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies different functional qualities to different subsets of actuators. The first subset has complex parking brake capability where it is needed, while the second subset has simpler braking-only functionality. This local quality approach minimizes overall system complexity while ensuring parking brake reliability in critical locations.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If parking brake mechanisms are included in electric brake actuators, then parking brake force is maintained without power, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The brake system segments parking brake force maintenance capability into the first subset of actuators only. These actuators include mechanisms to maintain parking brake force without continuous power, while the second subset lacks this capability. This segmentation reduces overall weight by avoiding redundant weight-carrying components in actuators that do not require sustained parking brake force.
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
This configuration reduces the overall weight and complexity of the aircraft's braking system by eliminating unnecessary components and wiring, while maintaining effective braking and parking brake functionality.
Implementation Method 1
electric brake actuators configured to apply the braking force to the pressure plate
Implementation Method 2
brake systems generally employ a brake stack comprising a series of friction disks that may be forced into sliding contact with one another during brake actuation
Data Source
AI summary
A brake assembly coupled to a wheel is disclosed herein. The brake assembly includes a plurality of stator disks, a plurality of rotor disks interleaved with the plurality of stator disks and configured to apply a braking force to the wheel, a pressure plate disposed adjacent a rotor disk of the plurality of rotor disks, a first electric brake actuator disposed adjacent the pressure plate and configured to apply the braking force to the pressure plate, the first electric brake actuator including a parking brake mechanism, and a second electric brake actuator disposed adjacent the pressure plate and configured to apply the braking force to the pressure plate.