Abstract: A smart materials system includes a first tool configured to respond to an external stimulus, a second tool configured to respond to the external stimulus, and a core layer disposed between the first tool and the second tool such that the core layer is deformed when the first tool and the second tool respond to the external stimulus.

Abstract: A method for braking a motor in a high lift system of an aircraft, the high lift system comprising a central power drive unit for moving high lift surfaces arranged at a wing through providing rotational power by means of a transmission shaft to a plurality of drive stations operably coupled with the high lift surfaces; which power drive unit is operatively coupled to a controller and comprises at least one electric motor coupled therewith. The method includes determining a braking requirement for the at least one electric motor, measuring at least one of a current command to the motor and a current speed and direction of the at least one electric motor, based on the braking requirement, applying a braking command to the at least one electric motor, and reducing the braking command as the at least one electric motor comes to rest.

Abstract: A predictive system is provided and include a torque-limiter, a sensor disposed to sense a condition of the torque-limiter and a processing system. The processing system is coupled to the sensor and configured to process readings of the sensor, to calculate whether the condition of the torque-limiter is indicative of degradation or failure incidents based on the readings being processed and to determine whether an action should be taken based on a calculation result.

Abstract: A braking test for a high lift system. The system including a plurality of high lift surfaces movably arranged at a wing, a plurality of drive stations coupled with the high lift surfaces via a transmission shaft, a power drive unit coupled with the transmission shaft including an electric motor operably coupled with a brake, and a control unit operably coupled to the power drive unit. The control unit executing a method for testing the brake, including actuating an electric motor, acquiring a sensor output of a sensor coupled during the actuating of the motor and determining a motion of the motor, activating a selected brake under test, measuring an elapsed time until the brake has arrested the motion, and determining if the elapsed time is less than a threshold. Generating a brake failure signal for the selected brake if the elapsed time exceeds the threshold.

Abstract: A method for braking a motor in a high lift system of an aircraft, the high lift system comprising a central power drive unit for moving high lift surfaces arranged at a wing through providing rotational power by means of a transmission shaft to a plurality of drive stations operably coupled with the high lift surfaces; which power drive unit is operatively coupled to a controller and comprises at least one electric motor coupled therewith. The method includes determining a braking requirement for the at least one electric motor, measuring at least one of a current command to the motor and a current speed and direction of the at least one electric motor, based on the braking requirement, applying a braking command to the at least one electric motor, and reducing the braking command as the at least one electric motor comes to rest.

Abstract: A predictive system is provided and include a torque-limiter, a sensor disposed to sense a condition of the torque-limiter and a processing system. The processing system is coupled to the sensor and configured to process readings of the sensor, to calculate whether the condition of the torque-limiter is indicative of degradation or failure incidents based on the readings being processed and to determine whether an action should be taken based on a calculation result.

Abstract: A braking test for a high lift system. The system including a plurality of high lift surfaces movably arranged at a wing, a plurality of drive stations coupled with the high lift surfaces via a transmission shaft, a power drive unit coupled with the transmission shaft including an electric motor operably coupled with a brake, and a control unit operably coupled to the power drive unit. The control unit executing a method for testing the brake, including actuating an electric motor, acquiring a sensor output of a sensor coupled during the actuating of the motor and determining a motion of the motor, activating a selected brake under test, measuring an elapsed time until the brake has arrested the motion, and determining if the elapsed time is less than a threshold. Generating a brake failure signal for the selected brake if the elapsed time exceeds the threshold.