Electromechanical Brake Actuator Controller Power Demand
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electromechanical brake systems face challenges in reducing peak power demand, which increases the size and weight of power supplies, particularly in aircraft where space and weight are critical and power is limited.
Innovation Solution
A controller for an electromechanical brake actuator that includes a velocity limiter and a current limiter, which limit the motor's velocity and current commands based on measured braking force signals to reduce peak power demand, using a nested loop feedback arrangement with sensors for force, velocity, and current feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the power supply size is increased to meet peak power demand, then adequate power is available, but the size and weight of the power supply increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the velocity and current commands time-varying and adaptive. The controller dynamically adjusts the motor's velocity and current commands based on real-time feedback from position, velocity, and current sensors, allowing the system to meet peak power demands only when necessary rather than maintaining constant high power capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters of velocity and current commands to control peak power demand. By modifying these command parameters based on feedback signals and predetermined thresholds, the system optimizes power consumption while maintaining adequate power availability, thereby reducing the required power supply size and weight.
2Speed
If the velocity command is increased to improve braking response, then braking performance is enhanced, but peak power demand increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses feedback from velocity sensors and current sensors to continuously monitor the actual motor performance. This feedback is fed back to the controller, which adjusts the velocity and current commands accordingly, enabling high braking response when needed while controlling peak power demand through adaptive adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts velocity commands based on real-time conditions rather than using fixed high velocity commands. This allows the motor to respond quickly to braking demands when necessary while reducing velocity commands during normal operation to limit peak power demand.
3Force
If the current command is increased to improve motor torque output, then braking force is enhanced, but peak power demand increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs current feedback from current sensors to monitor actual motor current consumption. The controller uses this feedback to adjust current commands, ensuring adequate torque output for required braking force while preventing excessive current draw that would increase peak power demand beyond necessary levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes current command parameters adaptively based on feedback signals and braking requirements. By adjusting these parameters in real-time, the system maintains sufficient torque output for effective braking while optimizing power consumption and reducing peak power demand.
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 solution effectively reduces peak power demand, allowing for smaller and lighter power supplies, ensuring adequate power for aircraft functions while minimizing the size and weight of electromechanical brake systems.
Implementation Method 1
The EBA has a motor that is driven in response to a motor drive signal generated by the controller
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2
AI summary
A controller (26) for an electromechanical brake actuator (28) (EBA) is provided. EBA (28) has a motor (20) driven in response to a motor drive signal generated by controller (20). Controller (26) includes a velocity limiter (108) and a current limiter (130). Velocity limiter (108) limits a velocity command in response to a measured braking force signal output (50). Limited velocity command (120) has a positive velocity limit boundary defined between a positive maximum velocity limit setpoint (W2) and a positive minimum velocity limit setpoint (W1) and a negative velocity limit boundary (W3) defined between a negative maximum velocity limit setpoint (W4) and a negative minimum velocity limit setpoint. Current limiter (130) limits a current command in response to the measured braking force signal output (50). Limited current command (132) has a positive current limit boundary defined between a positive maximum current limit setpoint (I2) and a positive minimum current limit setpoint (I1) and a negative current boundary defined between a negative maximum current limit setpoint (13) and a negative minimum current limit setpoint (14).