Abstract: Systems and methods for adaptive deceleration are disclosed. A brake system controller may perform a method comprising receiving a pedal deflection signal comprising a pedal deflection level, determining a present level of deceleration, and mapping the pedal deflection level to a desired level of deceleration, wherein the desired level of deceleration is greater than the present level of deceleration.

Abstract: Systems and methods facilitate the monitoring of tire pressure, the detection/determination of wheel speed, or a combination thereof. A system is provided comprising a hub cap, a target coupled to the hub cap, and at least two displacement sensors configured to measure a displacement between each displacement sensor and the target. The target has a variable thickness, and the target comprises a hollow vessel in fluid communication with a tire.

Abstract: Systems and methods facilitate the monitoring of tire pressure, the detection/determination of wheel speed, or a combination thereof. A system is provided comprising a hub cap, a target coupled to the hub cap, and at least two displacement sensors configured to measure a displacement between each displacement sensor and the target. The target has a variable thickness, and the target comprises a hollow vessel in fluid communication with a tire.

Abstract: A system, apparatus and method provide a means for indicating an overload condition has occurred during aircraft operation. The occurrence of an overload condition is automatically determined and an indication output thereof. Based on the indication received by the cockpit, avionics, maintenance, etc., further action may be taken to correct the effects of the overload condition on the tires and/or landing gear.

Abstract: A system, apparatus and method provide a means for testing operation of vehicle brake system. More particularly, a brake actuator is automatically commanded to engage a brake disk stack while the vehicle is in a benign state. An engagement force applied to the brake-disk stack by the actuator then is determined, and the engagement force is compared to a first threshold value. If the engagement force is within a predetermined range of the first threshold value, it is concluded that the brake system is operating normally, otherwise it is concluded that the brake system is operating abnormally.

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.

Abstract: A system, apparatus and method provide a means for managing wear of brake friction material such that even friction material wear is experienced between brakes. The available friction material of each brake is monitored to determine an amount of wear. Based on the amount of wear, a braking force applied by each brake may be varied to ensure even wear between brakes.

Abstract: A system, apparatus and method provide a means for indicating an overload condition has occurred during aircraft operation. The occurrence of an overload condition is automatically determined and an indication output thereof. Based on the indication received by the cockpit, avionics, maintenance, etc., further action may be taken to correct the effects of the overload condition on the tires and/or landing gear.

Abstract: A system, apparatus and method provide emergency differential braking for effecting braked steering of an aircraft. A brake input device is provided that not only allows for emergency and parking brake functions, but also enables differential braking. The brake input device (e.g., a parking and/or emergency brake lever, pedal, handle, etc.) can be used in a brake system including a brake system control unit (BSCU), one or more electro-mechanical actuator controllers (EMACs) and a brake assembly including one or more electrical actuators. Each EMAC is electrically coupled to one or more of the actuators so as to provide electrical power for driving the actuators. Each EMAC is also communicatively coupled to the BSCU so as to receive braking data therefrom. In an emergency, the input device sends braking signals directly to the brake actuators.

Abstract: A system to reduce or eliminate brake actuator contamination by providing a clean air source for the actuator such that a volume of a void in the actuator can vary without introducing moisture and/or contaminants into the actuator. A movable wall moves in response to changes in the volume of the void of the actuator to compensate for the changes without drawing moisture or contaminants into the actuator housing. By reducing or eliminating actuator contamination the service life of the actuator can be extended.

Abstract: A braking system that can reduce wiring without sacrificing performance. The system includes a data concentrator in the form of a distributed sensor processor unit for receiving braking command signals from a plurality of sensors and, based on the command signals, generating a brake control signal to be sent to a brake system control unit via a serial connection or the like.

Abstract: A system, apparatus and method provide a means for controlling an electric brake actuator. An electromechanical actuator controller (EMAC) is configured to receive first data indicative of a desired braking force, second data indicative of a braking command generated by a brake input device, the second data different from said first data, and third data indicative of a braking mode. Based on the third data, the EMAC selectively uses the first data or the second data to control the actuator.

Abstract: A system, apparatus and method of controlling a brake system of a vehicle having a brake input device, such as a brake pedal, a plurality of rotating wheels and a plurality of brakes, each brake of the plurality of brakes corresponding to one wheel of the plurality of wheels, is provided. In controlling the brakes, data indicative of a deflection of the brake pedal is received, and the received data is used to derive a target deceleration rate. A braking command is provided to each of the plurality of brakes, wherein the braking command is varied for each brake to regulate a deceleration rate the vehicle in accordance with the target deceleration rate.

Abstract: Systems and methods to determine whether a brake is dragging based on post-takeoff spindown data are provided. The method comprises measuring spindown of a wheel to obtain spindown data. The spindown data is compared with a spindown envelope, and notification is provided if the spindown data indicates a wheel is spinning down outside a spindown envelope.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining aircraft brake pedal sensor failure are provided. A brake pedal sensor and/or a brake pedal may be “failed” if brake pedal sensor readings unlikely to be generated as a result of human input are detected. The method comprises acquiring brake pedal measurements from a brake pedal sensor, determining a state of the brake pedal sensor, and providing a notification of the state. Each brake pedal measurement comprises a brake pedal deflection amount. The brake pedal sensor test algorithm may be conducted at regular intervals, in preparation for aircraft landing, at the request of a human operator, and the like.

Abstract: A method for providing anti-skid braking control for a vehicle having a plurality of wheels, each wheel including a corresponding wheel speed sensor and brake, wherein when velocity data from at least one wheel speed sensor is lost, velocity data from a wheel speed sensor coupled to a different wheel is used as the wheel speed for the wheel with the non-operational sensor.

Abstract: A brake control system for a landing gear of an aircraft is provided. The system includes a first control channel for providing brake control signals to one or more brakes on the landing gear, and a second control channel for providing brake control signals to another one or more brakes on the landing gear. At least one of the first control channel and the second control channel is configured to act as an executive in monitoring braking efforts applied by the one or more brakes as compared to braking efforts applied by the another one or more brake, and to cause the braking efforts of at least one of the one or more brakes or the another one or more brakes to be modified in an effort to equalize the braking efforts.

Abstract: A system, apparatus and method of verifying operation of a vehicle fluid brake system shutoff valve is provided, wherein the shutoff valve is adapted to enable or inhibit the transmission of fluid pressure to at least one brake solenoid valve that controls operation of at least one brake actuator so as to effect wheel braking. In verifying operation of the system, the shutoff valve is commanded to inhibit the transmission of fluid pressure to the at least one brake solenoid valve, and the at least one brake solenoid valve is commanded to apply fluid pressure to the at least one brake actuator. An operational status of the shutoff valve is determined based on the absence or presence of wheel braking.

Abstract: A system, apparatus and method of controlling a braking system of a vehicle having a plurality of rotating wheels and a plurality of brakes, each brake corresponding to one of the plurality of wheels, is provided. In controlling the brakes, an operational status of the braking system is determined. Based on the determined operational status, different feedback regulation schemes are selectively implemented to control the brake force applied by the brakes.

Abstract: A compact aircraft brake actuation measurement unit (5) mountable between left and right brake pedals for measuring the position of each pedal. The unit (5) can generate a signal indicative of a position of a pedal that can be used to control a brake assembly. The unit (5) can be mounted to a floor, bulkhead, forward wall, or any other suitable surface of a cockpit. The unit (5) includes sensors (20; 22), such as linear variable transducers (LVDTs), connectable to the pedals for sensing the position of the pedals.