Emergency Park Brake Electrical Interface Against Uncommanded Braking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional aircraft emergency park brake systems face complexity and susceptibility to uncommanded braking due to mechanical linkages, which can lead to unintended braking during critical operations like takeoff.
Innovation Solution
An emergency park brake system utilizing a user input interface with a displacement sensor, an electromechanical actuator, and a hydraulic brake valve, where the actuator is selectively powered based on a displacement threshold and power supply condition to prevent uncommanded braking, using discrete hardware controllers and separate electrical communication pathways for redundancy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional mechanical linkage systems are used to connect the brake interface to the braking force actuator, then the system can be implemented with simple components, but the system becomes difficult and complex to implement and is susceptible to uncommanded braking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional mechanical linkage system with an electrical configuration that includes a displacement sensor, controller, and electromechanical actuator. The displacement sensor detects user input at the brake interface and generates an electrical signal, which is processed by the controller to determine whether to activate the electromechanical actuator. This substitution eliminates the direct mechanical connection that causes complexity and uncommanded braking issues, while achieving more reliable controlled operation.
2Device complexity
If conventional electrical configurations are used to replace mechanical linkages, then some complexities are solved, but the system becomes susceptible to uncommanded braking due to user error or component failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the displacement sensor continuously monitors the brake interface position and provides real-time electrical signals to the controller. The controller processes these signals to determine whether the displacement exceeds a threshold value, and only then activates the electromechanical actuator. This feedback loop ensures that braking force is applied only when genuine user intent is detected, preventing uncommanded braking while maintaining system simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary controller between the displacement sensor and the electromechanical actuator. This controller acts as a mediator that receives electrical signals from the sensor, processes them according to predetermined logic, and decides whether to activate the actuator. The intermediary adds a layer of intelligence that filters out false signals from user error or component failure, thereby preventing uncommanded braking while keeping the overall system implementation manageable.
3Speed
If the electromechanical actuator is continuously powered, then the system responds quickly to braking commands, but the risk of uncommanded braking increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic power control where the electromechanical actuator is not continuously powered but is activated only when the controller determines that genuine braking intent has been detected through the displacement sensor feedback. The system transitions between powered and unpowered states based on real-time conditions, optimizing both response speed and safety by ensuring the actuator is ready to respond quickly when needed while minimizing the window for uncommanded activation.
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 system effectively prevents uncommanded braking by ensuring the electromechanical actuator is only activated when a valid emergency braking input exceeds a threshold displacement, ensuring safe and controlled braking operations.
Implementation Method 1
a displacement sensor coupled to the user input interface. The displacement sensor may be configured to detect the displacement of the user input interface and generate an emergency braking command based on the displacement of the user input interface
Implementation Method 2
an electromechanical actuator in selective power receiving communication with the electrical power interface, and a hydraulic brake valve, wherein the electromechanical actuator is mechanically coupled to and configured to selectively actuate the hydraulic brake valve
Implementation Method 3
a hydraulic brake valve, wherein the electromechanical actuator is mechanically coupled to and configured to selectively actuate the hydraulic brake valve
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2A
AI summary
An emergency park brake system of an aircraft may include an electrical power interface (119), an electromechanical actuator (130), and a hydraulic brake valve (132). The electrical power interface may be configured to receive electrical power from a power source. The electromechanical actuator may be in selective power receiving communication with the electrical power interface and the electromechanical actuator may be mechanically coupled to and configured to selectively actuate the hydraulic brake valve. The electrical connection between the electromechanical actuator and the electrical power interface may be based on an emergency braking input.