SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR AIRCRAFT BRAKING AND TAXIING

• US 20130292992A1
• Filed: 05/03/2012
• Published: 11/07/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/03/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Goodrich Corporation (Rtx Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Goodrich Corporation (Rtx Corporation)
• Inventors: Cahill, Eric D.
• Granted Patent: US 9,017,219 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 301/6.2
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 25/405 Powered wheels, e.g. for taxing
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 25/44 Actuating mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 50/80 Energy efficient operational measures, e.g. ground operations or mission management

Abstract

Systems and methods are disclosed for aircraft braking and taxiing systems for use in, for example, an aircraft. In this regard, system comprising an electric motor coupled to a first transmission, a first clutch for selectively engaging the first transmission to a propulsion transmission and a brake damping system, wherein, in response to engagement with the propulsion transmission, the electric motor drives an aircraft wheel, wherein, in response to engagement with the actuator ram, the electric, motor drives the brake clamping system to apply force to an aircraft brake disk stack.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

an electric motor coupled to a first transmission;

a first clutch for selectively engaging the first transmission to a propulsion transmission and a brake clamping system,

wherein, in response to engagement with the propulsion transmission, the electric motor drives an aircraft wheel,

wherein, in response to engagement with the actuator ram, the electric motor drives the brake clamping system to apply three to an aircraft brake disk stack,

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the brake clamping system comprises a ballscrew and a ram.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the brake clamping system comprises a second transmission coupled to the ballscrew.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the first clutch includes a neutral position, wherein, in response to engagement in the neutral position, the first transmission is not in engagement with the brake clamping system and not in engagement with the propulsion transmission.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising an aircraft wheel, wherein the propulsion transmission drives rotation of the aircraft wheel.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the first transmission is a high gear ratio transmission.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the first transmission includes a planetary gear set.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the propulsion transmission and the second transmission have variable gear ratios.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein a brake control unit provides a command to the electric motor.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein a cockpit instrument provides input to the brake control unit.

11. A system comprising:

an aircraft wheel comprising a mating portion for mating with a propulsion transmission, the aircraft wheel coupled to an aircraft brake;

the aircraft brake comprising a brake clamping system for selectively engaging a brake disk stack;

a rotating member;

a first clutch for selectively engaging the rotating member to at least one of the propulsion transmission and the brake clamping system.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the brake clamping system comprises a ballscrew and a ram.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the brake clamping system comprises a second transmission coupled to the ballscrew.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein the first clutch includes a neutral position, wherein, in response to engagement in the neutral position, the first transmission is not in engagement with the brake clamping system and not in engagement with the propulsion transmission.

15. The system of claim 11, wherein a second clutch provides selective engagement of the propulsion transmission and the aircraft wheel.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the mating portion comprises a geared portion.

17. The system of claim 11, wherein at least one of the propulsion transmission and the second transmission have variable gear ratios.

18. The system of claim 11, wherein the rotating member is driven by an electric motor.

19. A method comprising:

stopping an electric motor, the electric motor coupled to a first transmission;

disengaging a first clutch to decouple the first transmission from a brake clamping system; and

engaging the first clutch to couple the first transmission to the propulsion transmission.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising placing the first clutch in a neutral position.