SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR REFLECTED INERTIA PARKING BRAKE

• US 20130311005A1
• Filed: 05/15/2012
• Published: 11/21/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/15/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Goodrich Corporation (Rtx Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Goodrich Corporation (Rtx Corporation)
• Inventors: Cahill, Eric D.
• Granted Patent: US 9,073,530 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/3
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 13/741 acting on an ultimate actuator
• 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 parking brake systems for use in, for example, an aircraft. In this regard, a system is provided comprising a parking brake system for an aircraft comprising an electric motor coupled to a high gear ratio transmission, a first clutch for engaging the electric motor to a propulsion transmission, and a second clutch for engaging propulsion transmission to an aircraft wheel. The high gear ratio transmission has a gear ratio sufficient to maintain the aircraft wheel in a stationary position.

Claims

1. A parking brake system for an aircraft comprising:

an electric motor coupled to a high gear ratio transmission;

a first clutch for engaging the electric motor to a propulsion transmission; and

a second clutch for engaging propulsion transmission to an aircraft wheel,

wherein the high gear ratio transmission has a gear ratio sufficient to maintain the aircraft wheel in a stationary position.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the propulsion transmission engages the aircraft wheel along a circumference of the aircraft wheel.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the high gear ratio transmission has a gear ratio of between about 40:

1 to about 200;

1.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the high gear ratio transmission comprises a drive gear.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first clutch and the second clutch is actuated by a transmission solenoid.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first clutch and the second clutch is controlled by at least one of a cockpit control system and a wheel control panel.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein a parking brake mode is entered in response to the first clutch having an engaged position and the second clutch having an engaged position.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the electric motor may effect motion of the aircraft wheel while in the parking brake mode.

9. A method comprising:

stopping an electric motor, the electric motor coupled to a high gear ratio transmission;

engaging a first clutch to couple the high gear ratio transmission and a propulsion transmission; and

engaging a second clutch to couple the propulsion transmission and an aircraft wheel,

wherein the high gear ratio transmission has a gear ratio sufficient to maintain the aircraft wheel in a stationary position.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the engagement of the second clutch and the aircraft wheel occurs along a circumference of the aircraft wheel.

11. The method of claim 9, further comprising receiving, at an electric motor control unit, a command to engage the first clutch.

12. The method of claim 9, further comprising driving the electric motor to cause rotation of the aircraft wheel.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein the engaging the first clutch to couple the high gear ratio transmission and the propulsion transmission is performed by a transmission solenoid.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein the high gear ratio transmission comprises a drive gear.

15. The method of claim 9, wherein the high gear ratio transmission has a gear ratio of between about 40:

1 to about 80;

1.

16. A computer readable storage medium bearing instructions for manual braking, the instructions, when executed by a processor, cause said processor to perform operations comprising:

stopping an electric motor, the electric motor coupled to a high gear ratio transmission;

engaging a first clutch to couple the high gear ratio transmission and a propulsion transmission; and

engaging a second clutch to couple the propulsion transmission and an aircraft wheel,

wherein the high gear ratio transmission has a gear ratio sufficient to maintain the aircraft wheel in a stationary position.

17. The computer readable medium of claim 16, wherein the engagement of the second clutch and the aircraft wheel occurs along a circumference of the aircraft wheel.

18. The computer readable medium of claim 16, wherein the operations further comprise driving the electric motor to cause rotation of the aircraft wheel.

19. The computer readable medium of claim 16, wherein the engaging the first clutch to couple the high gear ratio transmission and the propulsion transmission is performed by a transmission solenoid.

20. The computer readable medium of claim 16, wherein the high gear ratio transmission has a gear ratio of between about 40:

1 to about 80;

1.