Parking Brake State Indication Using Hydraulic Pressure Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing parking brake systems in aircraft do not accurately reflect the actual state of the brake system, as the parking brake lever only indicates the commanded position, not the actual engagement state, leading to potential safety issues when the system fails to maintain sufficient pressure.
Innovation Solution
A fault-tolerant parking brake system that includes pressure transducers to monitor fluid pressure, a brake selection device to indicate the actual engaged or disengaged state, and processors to determine if the fluid pressure is below a threshold, commanding the brake selection device to reflect the correct state, ensuring the system indicates its actual position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the parking brake lever is used to indicate the commanded position, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision of the actual brake state is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring fluid pressure through pressure transducers and using this information to update the brake selection device indication. The control module compares commanded position with actual pressure feedback, and automatically corrects the indication when pressure is insufficient, ensuring the display reflects the true brake engagement state rather than just the commanded position.
2Ease of operation
If the parking brake valve is used to trap hydraulic fluid, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability of brake engagement is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically monitoring its own pressure levels through pressure transducers and self-correcting when pressure is insufficient. The control module detects low pressure conditions and automatically commands the brake selection device to reflect the disengaged state, enabling the system to self-diagnose and self-report its actual state without pilot intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces mechanical linkage with electronic sensing and control. Instead of relying solely on mechanical connection between the lever and brake valve, the invention uses pressure transducers to sense fluid pressure and electronic control modules to process this information and update the indication, substituting mechanical state transmission with electronic measurement and control.
3Ease of operation
If the brake selection device reflects only the commanded position, then the ease of operation is maintained, but the loss of information about actual system state occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring fluid pressure through pressure transducers and using this information to update the brake selection device indication. The control module compares commanded position with actual pressure feedback, and automatically corrects the indication when pressure is insufficient, ensuring the display reflects the true brake engagement state rather than just the commanded position.
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 accurately reflects the actual state of the parking brake system, preventing false indications of engagement and maintaining pressure even when the parking brake valve is inoperative, thus enhancing safety by correcting the commanded state with actual system status.
Implementation Method 1
one or more pressure transducers that monitor a fluid pressure of the parking brake system
Data Source
AI summary
A parking brake system is disclosed and includes one or more pressure transducers that monitor the fluid pressure of the parking brake system and a brake selection device configured to indicate the parking brake system is either in an engaged state or a disengaged state. The parking brake system includes one or more processors and a memory coupled to the one or more processors. The memory stores data comprising a database and program code that, when executed by the one or more processors, causes the parking brake system to determine the fluid pressure of the parking brake system is less than a threshold pressure. In response to determining the fluid pressure of the parking brake system is less than the threshold pressure, the parking brake system instructs the brake selection device to indicate the parking brake system is in the disengaged state.