Robustness and availability of aircraft acceleration evaluation

• US 10,293,923 B2
• Filed: 10/06/2015
• Issued: 05/21/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 10/06/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Goodrich Corporation (Rtx Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Goodrich Corporation (Rtx Corporation)
• Inventors: Georgin, Marc
• Primary Examiner(s): Worden, Thomas E
• Application Number:
  US14/876,541
• Publication Number:
  US 20170096218A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,323 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 2210/36 Global Positioning System [GPS]
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 2270/413 Plausibility monitoring, cross check, redundancy
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 8/1703 for aircrafts
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 8/172 Determining control parameters used in the regulation, e.g. by calculations involving measured or detected parameters B60T8/17551 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 13/16 actuated automatically, e.g. responsive to gust detectors
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 25/426 Braking devices providing an automatic sequence of braking
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 47/00 Equipment not otherwise provided for

Abstract

A system for determining a deceleration rate of an aircraft, in various embodiments, includes at least one component capable of transmitting a first deceleration rate. The system also includes a brake control unit coupled to the at least one component and having a brake controller that is configured to receive the first deceleration rate from the at least one component and to determine a likely accurate deceleration rate based on the first deceleration rate, a second deceleration rate and a hierarchy of sources of deceleration rates.

Claims

1. A system for determining an accepted deceleration rate of an aircraft comprising:

an avionics unit capable of transmitting an avionics deceleration rate, the avionics unit having an avionics monitor circuit configured to transmit avionics operational data that indicates the avionics deceleration rate is either valid or invalid;

at least two wheel speed sensors configured to output wheel speed data including a wheel speed of a corresponding wheel;

a brake control unit comprising;

a first brake control unit card having a first accelerometer configured to detect a first accelerometer deceleration rate and having a first brake controller configured to transmit first accelerometer operational data that indicates the first accelerometer deceleration rate is either valid or invalid; and

a second brake control unit card having a second accelerometer configured to detect a second accelerometer deceleration rate and a second brake controller configured to transmit second accelerometer operational data that indicates the second accelerometer deceleration rate is ether valid or invalid,

wherein the brake control unit is in operable communication with the avionics unit and the at least two wheel speed sensors, the brake control unit configured to;

determine a wheel speed deceleration rate based on the wheel speed data; and

determine the accepted deceleration rate of the aircraft to be used by the brake control unit according to one of the following options A through G;

A) if the avionics deceleration rate is valid, the first accelerometer deceleration rate is invalid, and the second accelerometer deceleration rate is invalid, then the accepted deceleration rate is the avionics deceleration rate;

B) if the avionics deceleration rate is invalid, the first accelerometer deceleration rate is invalid, and the second accelerometer deceleration rate is invalid, then then the accepted deceleration rate is the wheel speed deceleration rate;

C) if the avionics deceleration rate is invalid, the first accelerometer deceleration rate is valid, and the second accelerometer deceleration rate is invalid, then the accepted deceleration rate is the wheel speed deceleration rate;

D) if the avionics deceleration rate is invalid, the first accelerometer deceleration rate is invalid, and the second accelerometer deceleration rate is valid, then the accepted deceleration rate is the wheel speed deceleration rate;

E) if the avionics deceleration rate is valid, the first accelerometer deceleration rate is valid, and the second accelerometer deceleration rate is valid, then;

 

determine whether or not the avionics deceleration rate is within a predetermined threshold percentage of both the first accelerometer deceleration rate and the second accelerometer deceleration rate,

 

if so, the accepted deceleration rate is the avionics deceleration rate;

 

if not, determine whether or not the avionics deceleration rate is within a predetermined threshold percentage of one of the first accelerometer deceleration rate and the second accelerometer deceleration rate,

 

if so, determine whether or not the first accelerometer deceleration rate and the second accelerometer deceleration rate are within a predetermined threshold percentage of each other,

 

if so, the accepted deceleration rate is an average between the avionics deceleration rate and the one of the first accelerometer deceleration rate and the second accelerometer deceleration rate that the avionics deceleration rate was within the predetermined threshold percentage of;

 

if not, the accepted deceleration rate is the wheel speed deceleration rate;

 

if not, determine whether or not the first accelerometer deceleration rate and the second accelerometer deceleration rate are within a predetermined threshold percentage of each other,

 

if so, the accepted deceleration rate is an average between the first accelerometer deceleration rate and the second accelerometer deceleration rate;

 

if not, the accepted deceleration rate is the wheel speed deceleration rate;

F) if the avionics deceleration rate is invalid, the first accelerometer deceleration rate is valid, and the second accelerometer deceleration rate is valid, then;

 

determine whether or not the first accelerometer deceleration rate and the second accelerometer deceleration rate are within a predetermined threshold percentage of each other,

 

if so, the accepted deceleration rate is an average between the first accelerometer deceleration rate and the second accelerometer deceleration rate;

 

if not, the accepted deceleration rate is the wheel speed deceleration rate;

G) if the avionics deceleration rate is valid, the first accelerometer deceleration rate is valid, and the second accelerometer deceleration rate is invalid, then;

 

determine whether or not the avionics deceleration rate and the first accelerometer deceleration rate are within a predetermined threshold percentage of each other,

 

if so, the accepted deceleration rate is an average between the avionics deceleration rate and the first accelerometer deceleration rate;

 

if not, the accepted deceleration rate is the wheel speed deceleration rate;

H) if the avionics deceleration rate is valid, the first accelerometer deceleration rate is invalid, and the second accelerometer deceleration rate is valid, then;

 

determine whether or not the avionics deceleration rate and the second accelerometer deceleration rate are within a predetermined threshold percentage of each other,

 

if so, the accepted deceleration rate is an average between the avionics deceleration rate and the second accelerometer deceleration rate;

 

if not, the accepted deceleration rate is the wheel speed deceleration rate.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein:

the first accelerometer includes a first X-axis accelerometer configured to detect deceleration along an X-axis extending from an aft end of the aircraft to a forward end of the aircraft and a first Y-axis accelerometer configured to detect deceleration along a Y-axis parallel to a wingspan of the aircraft; and

the second accelerometer includes a second X-axis accelerometer configured to detect deceleration along the X-axis and a second Y-axis accelerometer configured to detect an acceleration along the Y-axis.

3. A method for determining an accepted deceleration rate of an aircraft comprising:

receiving, at a first brake controller located on a first brake control unit (BCU) card and from an avionics unit, an avionics deceleration rate and an avionics operational data, the avionics unit having an avionics monitor circuit;

receiving, at the first brake controller and from the avionics monitor circuit, an indication that the avionics deceleration rate is either valid or invalid based on the avionics operational data;

receiving, at the first brake controller and from a first accelerometer also located on the first BCU card, a first accelerometer deceleration rate and a first accelerometer operational data, the first BCU card having a first accelerometer monitor circuit;

receiving, at the first brake controller from the first accelerometer monitor circuit, an indication that the first accelerometer is either valid or invalid based on the first accelerometer operational data;

receiving, at the first brake controller and from a second accelerometer located on a second BCU card, a second accelerometer deceleration rate and a second accelerometer operational data, the second BCU card having a second accelerometer monitor circuit, wherein the second BCU card further includes a second brake controller;

receiving, at the second brake controller from the second accelerometer monitor circuit, an indication that the second accelerometer is either valid or invalid based on the second accelerometer operational data;

receiving, at the first brake controller and from at least two wheel speed sensors, a wheel speed of a corresponding wheel;

determining, by the first brake controller, a wheel speed deceleration rate based on the received wheel speeds of the at least two wheel speed sensors;

determining, by the first brake controller, the accepted deceleration rate of the aircraft to be used by the brake control unit according to one the following options A through G;

A) if the avionics deceleration rate is valid, the first accelerometer deceleration rate is invalid, and the second accelerometer deceleration rate is invalid, then the accepted deceleration rate is the avionics deceleration rate;

B) if the avionics deceleration rate is invalid, the first accelerometer deceleration rate is invalid, and the second accelerometer deceleration rate is invalid, then then the accepted deceleration rate is the wheel speed deceleration rate;

C) if the avionics deceleration rate is invalid, the first accelerometer deceleration rate is valid, and the second accelerometer deceleration rate is invalid, then the accepted deceleration rate is the wheel speed deceleration rate;

D) if the avionics deceleration rate is invalid, the first accelerometer deceleration rate is invalid, and the second accelerometer deceleration rate is valid, then the accented deceleration rate is the wheel speed deceleration rate;

E) if the avionics deceleration rate is valid, the first accelerometer deceleration rate is valid, and the second accelerometer deceleration rate is valid, then;

determine whether or not the avionics deceleration rate is within a predetermined threshold percentage of both the first accelerometer deceleration rate and the second accelerometer deceleration rate,

if so, the accepted deceleration rate is the avionics deceleration rate;

if not, determine whether or not the avionics deceleration rate is within a predetermined threshold percentage of one of the first accelerometer deceleration rate and the second accelerometer deceleration rate,

if so, determine whether or not the first, accelerometer deceleration rate and the second accelerometer deceleration rate are within a predetermined threshold percentage of each other,

 

if so, the accepted deceleration rate is an average between the avionics deceleration rate and the one of the first accelerometer deceleration rate and the second accelerometer deceleration rate that the avionics deceleration rate was within the predetermined threshold percentage of;

 

if not, the accepted deceleration rate is the wheel speed deceleration rate;

if not, determine whether or not the first accelerometer deceleration rate and the second accelerometer deceleration rate are within a predetermined threshold percentage of each other,

 

if so, the accepted deceleration rate is an average between the first accelerometer deceleration rate and the second accelerometer deceleration rate;

 

if not, the accepted deceleration rate is the wheel speed deceleration rate;

F) if the avionics deceleration rate is invalid, the first accelerometer deceleration rate is valid, and the second accelerometer deceleration rate is valid, then;

determine whether or not the first accelerometer deceleration rate and the second accelerometer deceleration rate are within a predetermined threshold percentage of each other,

if so, the accented deceleration rate is an average between the first accelerometer deceleration rate and the second accelerometer deceleration rate;

if not, the accepted deceleration rate is the wheel speed deceleration rate;

G) if the avionics deceleration rate is valid, the first accelerometer deceleration rate is valid, and the second accelerometer deceleration rate is invalid, then;

determine whether or not the avionics deceleration rate and the first accelerometer deceleration rate are within a predetermined threshold percentage of each other,

if so, the accepted deceleration rate is an average between the avionics deceleration rate and the first accelerometer deceleration rate;

if not, the accepted deceleration rate is the wheel speed deceleration rate;

H) if the avionics deceleration rate is valid, the first accelerometer deceleration rate is invalid, and the second accelerometer deceleration rate is valid, then;

determine whether or not the avionics deceleration rate and the second accelerometer deceleration rate are within a predetermined threshold percentage of each other,

if so, the accepted deceleration rate is an average between the avionics deceleration rate and the second accelerometer deceleration rate;

if not, the accepted deceleration rate is the wheel speed deceleration rate.

4. A brake control unit (BCU) for use with an aircraft, comprising:

a first brake control unit (BCU) card having;

a first accelerometer configured to detect a first accelerometer deceleration rate, and

a first brake controller; and

a second BCU card having;

a second accelerometer configured to detect a second accelerometer deceleration rate, and

a second brake controller configured to;

receive an avionics deceleration rate from an avionics unit of the aircraft, the avionics unit having an avionics monitor circuit configured to transmit an indication that the avionics deceleration rate is either valid or invalid,

receive wheel speed data from at least two wheel speed sensors of the aircraft, the wheel speed data including a wheel speed of a corresponding wheel,

determine a wheel speed deceleration rate based on the wheel speed data,

receive the first accelerometer deceleration rate and the second accelerometer deceleration rate,

determine whether the first accelerometer deceleration rate is either valid or invalid,

determine whether the second accelerometer deceleration rate is either valid or invalid,

determine an accepted deceleration rate of the aircraft to be used by the second brake controller, and

generate brake control data for controlling brakes of the aircraft based on the accepted deceleration rate determined by the second brake controller;

wherein the accepted deceleration rate is determined according to one of the following options A through G;

A) if the avionics deceleration rate is valid, the first accelerometer deceleration rate is invalid, and the second accelerometer deceleration rate is invalid, then the accepted deceleration rate is the avionics deceleration rate;

B) if the avionics deceleration rate is invalid, the first accelerometer deceleration rate is invalid, and the second accelerometer deceleration rate is invalid, then then the accepted deceleration rate is the wheel speed deceleration rate;

C) if the avionics deceleration rate is invalid, the first accelerometer deceleration rate is valid, and the second accelerometer deceleration rate is invalid, then the accepted deceleration rate is the wheel speed deceleration rate;

D) if the avionics deceleration rate is invalid, the first accelerometer deceleration rate is invalid, and the second accelerometer deceleration rate is valid, then the accepted deceleration rate is the wheel speed deceleration rate;

E) if the avionics deceleration rate is valid, the first accelerometer deceleration rate is valid, and the second accelerometer deceleration rate is valid, then;

 

determine whether or not the avionics deceleration rate is within a predetermined threshold percentage of both the first accelerometer deceleration rate and the second accelerometer deceleration rate,

 

if so, the accepted deceleration rate is the avionics deceleration rate;

 

if not, determine whether or not the avionics deceleration rate is within a predetermined threshold percentage of one of the first accelerometer deceleration rate and the second accelerometer deceleration rate,

 

if so, determine whether or not the first accelerometer deceleration rate and the second accelerometer deceleration rate are within a predetermined threshold percentage of each other,

 

if so, the accepted deceleration rate is an average between the avionics deceleration rate and the one of the first accelerometer deceleration rate and the second accelerometer deceleration rate that the avionics deceleration rate was within the predetermined threshold percentage of;

 

if not, the accepted deceleration rate is the wheel speed deceleration rate;

 

if not, determine whether or not the first accelerometer deceleration rate and the second accelerometer deceleration rate are within a predetermined threshold percentage of each other,

 

if so, the accepted deceleration rate is an average between the first accelerometer deceleration rate and the second accelerometer deceleration rate;

 

if not, the accepted deceleration rate is the wheel speed deceleration rate;

F) if the avionics deceleration rate is invalid, the first accelerometer deceleration rate is valid, and the second accelerometer deceleration rate is valid, then;

 

determine whether or not the first accelerometer deceleration rate and the second accelerometer deceleration rate are within a predetermined threshold percentage of each other,

 

if so, the accepted deceleration rate is an average between the first accelerometer deceleration rate and the second accelerometer deceleration rate;

 

if not the accepted deceleration rate is the wheel speed deceleration rate;

G) if the avionics deceleration rate is valid, the first accelerometer deceleration rate is valid, and the second accelerometer deceleration rate is invalid, then;

 

determine whether or not the avionics deceleration rate and the first accelerometer deceleration rate are within a predetermined threshold percentage of each other,

 

if so, the accepted deceleration rate is an average between the avionics deceleration rate and the first accelerometer deceleration rate;

 

if not, the accepted deceleration rate is the wheel speed deceleration rate;

H) if the avionics deceleration rate is valid, the first accelerometer deceleration rate is invalid, and the second accelerometer deceleration rate is valid, then;

 

determine whether or not the avionics deceleration rate and the second accelerometer deceleration rate are within a predetermined threshold percentage of each other,

 

if so, the accepted deceleration rate is an average between the avionics deceleration rate and the second accelerometer deceleration rate;

 

if not, the accented deceleration rate is the wheel speed deceleration rate.