Meggitt Aerospace Limited

Dunlop Aerospace Limited

Nicholas Charles Griffin

Richard John Miller

David Alexander Bailey

Ross John Marshall

A method for charging an aircraft braking system for use includes monitoring actuations of an aircraft braking system to identify where generating usage and non-wear generating usage of the aircraft braking system, and charging the aircraft braking system for use based on the identified usage of the aircraft braking system. An apparatus for monitoring usage of aircraft brakes and charging the aircraft brakes for usage includes at least one sensor for sensing a brake output parameter when the aircraft brakes are actuated and providing signals indicative of values of the sensed brake output parameter. The apparatus further includes a processing system for processing the signals and determining whether an actuation of the aircraft brakes is a wear generating usage or a non-wear generating usage and operating a pricing scheme based on actuation of the aircraft brakes and the associated usage.

Brake condition monitoring

A system and method for monitoring the usage of brake members of an aircraft braking system. The system makes a separate record of each brake actuation in which there is relative movement of the brake member's facing friction surfaces which causes wear, determines the types of brake usage and operates a pricing/payment scheme to charge for brake usage.

A system and method for monitoring the applications of carbon-carbon brakes of an aircraft to determine brake condition and operate a brake maintenance program or charge a brake system user. The system and method includes monitoring each actuation of the brakes and making a separate record of each actuation of the brakes in which there is relative movement of the facing friction surfaces that cause wear, and from that separate record determining brake usage. The monitoring may include measuring changes and processing the signals to distinguish between those which fall below and those which are above a threshold value. The method and system may comprise sensing a plurality of braking parameters having values dependent upon the wear in the system and different faults of the system, and identifying and recording wear and faults based on combinations of values of the parameters.

System and method for monitoring the applications of the brakes, e.g. of an aircraft to determine brake condition and operate a brake maintenance programme or charge a brake system user. It is desirable to have accurate information for determining the condition and predicting the life of carbon-carbon brake discs. This is important for safety as well as commercial reasons. The number of landings of an aircraft is often used as a determinant for such as lifetime warranties for brake discs and recommended maintenance periods. However, at least for carbon disc brakes, this may not be entirely accurate. For example such brake discs also wear during taxiing. The system and method herein includes monitoring each actuation of the brakes and making a separate record of each actuation of the brakes in which there is relative movement of the facing friction surfaces that cause wear, and from that separate record determining brake usage. The monitoring may include measuring changes and processing the signals to distinguish between those which fall below and those which are above a threshold value. Herein there is also described, a method and apparatus for monitoring a braking system comprising sensing a plurality of braking parameters having values dependent upon wear in the system and different faults of the system, and identifying and recording wear and faults based on combinations of values of said parameters.

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Norton Lindsey, United Kingdom

Nicholas Charles Griffin