Brake condition monitoring
First Claim
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1. An aircraft braking system maintenance program operating system for a hydraulic aircraft braking system comprising brake members having facing friction surfaces adapted to contact each other during brake actuations, the operating system comprising:
- a brake control system operable to detect brake inputs and brake outputs during brake actuations while an aircraft is in motion with relative rotational movement taking place between contacting frictional surfaces of the brake members;
a processing system operable to compare said brake outputs with expected brake outputs for respective brake inputs and selectively provide maintenance action signals based on the comparison of said brake outputs with said expected brake outputs.
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Abstract
A system and method for monitoring the usage of brake members of an aircraft braking system. The system makes a separate record of each brake actuation in which there is relative movement of the brake member'"'"'s facing friction surfaces which causes wear, determines the types of brake usage and operates a pricing/payment scheme to charge for brake usage.
38 Citations
26 Claims
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1. An aircraft braking system maintenance program operating system for a hydraulic aircraft braking system comprising brake members having facing friction surfaces adapted to contact each other during brake actuations, the operating system comprising:
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a brake control system operable to detect brake inputs and brake outputs during brake actuations while an aircraft is in motion with relative rotational movement taking place between contacting frictional surfaces of the brake members; a processing system operable to compare said brake outputs with expected brake outputs for respective brake inputs and selectively provide maintenance action signals based on the comparison of said brake outputs with said expected brake outputs. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method of operating an aircraft braking system maintenance program operating system, said method comprising:
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monitoring signals representative of at least one parameter affected by brake inputs and outputs during brake actuations of a hydraulic aircraft braking system while an aircraft is in motion with relative rotational movement taking place between contacting frictional surfaces of the aircraft braking system; identifying changes in said signals that are indicative of at least one of a predetermined braking system wear condition and a predetermined braking system fault condition; and instigating a maintenance action in response to the identification of at least one of a said predetermined braking system wear condition or said predetermined braking system fault condition. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. Aircraft brake monitoring apparatus for monitoring usage of hydraulic aircraft brakes comprising carbon-carbon multi-discs and providing for maintenance of said hydraulic aircraft brakes said apparatus comprising:
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at least one sensor for sensing a brake output parameter during brake actuations of said hydraulic aircraft brakes while an aircraft is in motion with the carbon-carbon multi-discs in engagement and in relative rotational movement and providing signals indicative of values of the sensed brake output parameter; a processor for processing said signals to determine at least one of a brake wear condition and a brake fault condition; and a signal provider for issuing a maintenance alert when at least one of said brake wear condition and a said brake fault condition is determined. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21)
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- 22. A monitoring system for monitoring the condition of a hydraulic aircraft braking apparatus having facing friction surfaces and actuation means for urging said surfaces towards one another and operating a maintenance program for said hydraulic aircraft braking apparatus, the monitoring system being operable for detecting and recording brake inputs and outputs during brake actuations of the braking apparatus during aircraft movement and being characterized in that it comprises distinguishing means for distinguishing, from other actuations, wear generating actuations in which said surfaces come into contact with one another and move relative to one another over the surfaces and generate significant wear of those surfaces, the monitoring system further comprising means capable of making available brake condition information dependent upon said wear generating actuations and selectively providing maintenance action signals based on said brake condition information.
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26. A method for monitoring the condition of a hydraulic aircraft braking apparatus having facing friction surfaces and actuation means for urging said surfaces towards one another and operating a maintenance program for the hydraulic aircraft braking apparatus, the method including detecting and recording brake inputs and outputs during brake actuations of the braking apparatus during aircraft movement and being characterized in that it comprises distinguishing between wear generating actuations of the braking apparatus in which said surfaces come into contact with one another and move relative to one another over the said surfaces and generate significant wear of those surfaces and other actuations of the apparatus, providing brake condition information dependent upon said wear generating actuations and selectively providing maintenance action signals based on said brake condition information.
Specification