Abstract

A system and method are provided for continuous monitoring and controlling of aircraft braking that can reduce brake wear and aircraft operating costs through the retention of carbon brake powder from the brakes or addition of carbon powder in a device mounted with respect to the brake disk stack. The use of carbon powder reduces brake wear by providing small particles between the brake disks, acting as a buffer between the brake disks when the brake stack is clamped together. Moreover, when carbon powder or small particles are used at application, such use reduces the roughness of the carbon surface and reduces the number of large particles from braking off the carbon surface, thereby reducing brake wear. Adaptive or selective braking may be used in conjunction with carbon powder to further reduce carbon brake wear.

IPC Classes  ?

• F16D 65/00 - Parts or details of brakes
• B64C 25/42 - Arrangement or adaptation of brakes
• B60T 8/18 - Arrangements for adjusting wheel-braking force to meet varying vehicular or ground-surface conditions, e.g. limiting or varying distribution of braking force responsive to vehicle weight or load, e.g. load distribution
• B60T 8/32 - Arrangements for adjusting wheel-braking force to meet varying vehicular or ground-surface conditions, e.g. limiting or varying distribution of braking force responsive to a speed condition, e.g. acceleration or deceleration
• F16D 65/847 - Features relating to cooling for disc brakes with open cooling system, e.g. cooled by air
• B08B 3/08 - Cleaning involving contact with liquid the liquid having chemical or dissolving effect

Abstract

The present invention is a system and method for evaluating runway conditions that combines known brake control systems with a new runway condition monitoring unit working in conjunction with an anti-skid/brake control unit to improve runway condition evaluation. The runway condition monitoring unit is installed on an airplane and receives data from the brake control unit, and processes that data through hardware and software to formulate a runway condition report of the airplane while landing on a runway. The invention may include additional sensors or interfaces that supplement the data received from the BCU. The runway condition monitoring unit contains a processor and interfaces that calculates and creates a runway condition report. The runway condition monitoring unit communicates the report by way of the avionics communication network on the airplane to devices that then send the runway condition report to consumers of the data, such as the flight deck, air traffic controllers, airport operators and airline operations.

IPC Classes  ?

• B64D 45/04 - Landing aidsSafety measures to prevent collision with earth's surface
• B64C 25/46 - Brake regulators for preventing skidding or aircraft somersaulting
• H04L 12/40 - Bus networks

Abstract

The method and system for increasing accuracy of clamping force of electric aircraft carbon brakes, once braking has been commenced, provides a first pair of electric brake actuators with a range of low brake clamping force responsive to low brake clamping force commands, and a second pair of electric brake actuators with a range of high brake clamping force responsive to high brake clamping force commands. The first pair of electric brake actuators is actuated to apply a minimum residual braking force once wheel braking is commenced, and the second pair of electric brake actuators is actuated only when the commanded braking force is in the high range of brake clamping force.

IPC Classes  ?

• B60T 8/86 - Arrangements for adjusting wheel-braking force to meet varying vehicular or ground-surface conditions, e.g. limiting or varying distribution of braking force responsive to a speed condition, e.g. acceleration or deceleration wherein the brakes are automatically applied in accordance with a speed condition and having means for overriding the automatic braking device when a skid condition occurs