Patent ID: 7878602
Filing Date: 2011-02-01
Classification: B60T

Abstract:
1. In a method for controlling electric aircraft carbon brakes of an aircraft having a plurality of wheels and a corresponding plurality of wheel brakes when the aircraft is taxiing, the method including the step of providing a plurality of brake actuators of each wheel brake with brake clamping force commands, the improvement in the method comprising: providing a first portion of the plurality of electric brake actuators of each wheel brake with a first range of low brake clamping force responsive to low brake clamping force commands, and a second portion of the plurality of electric brake actuators of each brake with a second range of high brake clamping force responsive to high brake clamping force commands; monitoring commanded initiation of braking of any of the plurality of wheel brakes of the aircraft; setting a residual brake clamping force to a predetermined minimum residual brake clamping force for the plurality of wheel brakes in response to said commanded initiation of braking of any of the plurality of wheel brakes; actuating said first portion of electric brake actuators to apply said predetermined minimum residual brake clamping force when wheel braking is commanded and maintaining said predetermined minimum residual brake clamping force despite a commanded release of braking of any of the plurality of wheel brakes; determining a first average wheel speed; comparing said first average wheel speed with a first predetermined wheel speed threshold; discontinuing applying said predetermined minimum residual brake clamping force in response to a first control logic condition in which said first average wheel speed is less than said first predetermined wheel speed threshold or in response to at least one second control logic condition; monitoring commanded initiation of braking of any of the plurality of wheel brakes of the aircraft; determining a second average wheel speed; comparing said second average wheel speed with a second predetermined wheel speed threshold greater than said first predetermined wheel speed threshold; comparing said second average wheel speed with a third predetermined wheel speed threshold less than said first predetermined wheel speed threshold; actuating said first portion of electric brake actuators to apply said predetermined minimum residual brake clamping force when wheel braking is commanded and said second average wheel speed reaches said second predetermined wheel speed threshold, and maintaining said predetermined minimum residual brake clamping force despite a commanded release of braking of any of the plurality of wheel brakes; and discontinuing applying said predetermined minimum residual brake clamping force in response to a third control logic condition in which said second average wheel speed is less than said third predetermined wheel speed threshold or in response to at least one said second control logic condition.