Airbus Operations Gmbh

Airbus Operations (s.a.s.)

Antonio Colosimo

James Morris

Xavier Guery

Lukasz Sznajder

A method of controlling a drive system of an aircraft. The drive system comprised a drive motor arranged to drive at least one wheel of an aircraft landing gear. A power signal indicative of a power level for the drive motor and a speed signal indicative of a rotation speed of the drive motor are received. A torque level for the drive motor is determined using the power signal and the speed signal. The drive motor is then driven such that the torque generated by the drive motor is at the determined torque level.

Methods and control systems for controlling a drive system of an aircraft

The invention provides methods and systems for controlling speed of an aircraft during an autonomous pushback manoeuvre, i.e. under the aircraft's own power without a pushback tractor. The method includes applying a torque to at least one landing gear wheel of the aircraft, the torque being in a direction opposite to the backwards rolling direction of rotation of the landing gear wheel. The torque applied does not exceed a limit for ensuring aircraft longitudinal stability. For longitudinal stability the torque applied should not cause the aircraft to risk a tip-over event.

Aircraft autonomous pushback

The invention provides methods and systems for controlling speed of an aircraft during an autonomous pushback maneuver, i.e. under the aircraft's own power without a pushback tractor. The method includes applying a torque to at least one landing gear wheel of the aircraft, the torque being in a direction opposite to the backwards rolling direction of rotation of the landing gear wheel. The torque applied does not exceed a limit for ensuring aircraft longitudinal stability. For longitudinal stability the torque applied should not cause the aircraft to risk a tip-over event.

Growing community of inventors

Bristol, United Kingdom

Antonio Colosimo