Autobrake and decel control built-in test equipment

• US 8,712,626 B2
• Filed: 05/05/2009
• Issued: 04/29/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 05/05/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Goodrich Corporation (Raytheon Technologies Corporation d/b/a RTX)
• Original Assignee: Goodrich Corporation (Raytheon Technologies Corporation d/b/a RTX)
• Inventors: Cahill, Eric D., Metzger, Richard P. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Khatib, Rami
• Application Number:
  US12/435,712
• Publication Number:
  US 20100286880A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,820 Days
• Field of Search: 701/29, 701/29.1, 701/30.5, 701/31, 701/31.7, 701/31.8, 701/32.5, 701/70, 701/71, 701/82, 701/29.4, 701/29.7, 701/29.8, 701/30.3, 701/30.8, 701/30.9, 701/31.1, 701/31.2, 701/31.4, 701/32.8, 701/33.5, 701/33.7, 701/33.8, 701/33.9, 701/34.1, 701/34.4, 731/21, 731/28
• US Class Current: 701/29.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 17/221 Procedure or apparatus for checking or keeping in a correct functioning condition of brake systems hydraulic pressure systems in general F15B19/00, F15B21/04; testing structures or apparatus G01M
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 2270/406 Test-mode; Self-diagnosis
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 8/1703 for aircrafts
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 8/885 using electrical circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 25/426 Braking devices providing an automatic sequence of braking

Abstract

A system, apparatus and method provide a means for testing operation of a vehicle brake system. More particularly, a brake controller for controlling operation of the brake system includes a signal generator that can generate data indicative of wheel speed. Based on a user command, the controller uses either actual wheel speed data or simulated wheel speed data as inputs for controlling brake operation. The controller also includes logic for exercising various braking functions so as to enable maintenance personal to determine operational systems of the brake system.

Claims

1. A method for providing a test mode for testing an operation of a vehicle brake system that controls brakes based on deceleration, said vehicle brake system including at least one wheel speed sensor operatively coupled to a test device, the at least one wheel speed sensor configured to provide data indicative of actual wheel speed, the method comprising:

controlling, by the vehicle brake system, the brakes using simulated wheel speed data to determine deceleration, wherein a signal generator produces the simulated wheel speed data for the at least one wheel, wherein causing the signal generator to provide simulated wheel speed data that is responsive to the status of the vehicle includes;

determining if a sensor is providing a signal indicative of the vehicle being on the ground;

causing the signal generator to output wheel speed data indicative of a first wheel speed in response to determining that the vehicle is not on the ground; and

causing the signal generator to output wheel speed data indicative of a second wheel speed in response to determining that the vehicle is on the ground, wherein the second wheel speed is greater than the first wheel speed,

wherein the brake system is an autobrake system;

injecting, at a first switch, the simulated wheel speed data,

calculating, by the vehicle brake system, a deceleration value based upon the simulated wheel speed data,

receiving, by the vehicle brake system, brake pressure from a sensor; and

verifying, by the vehicle brake system, the brake pressure.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising monitoring at least one of software functions of a brake system control unit (BSCU) or hardware actions of the brake system.