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.

A method for braking an aircraft is disclosed herein. The method includes receiving, by a brake controller, a first signal from a position sensor of a first pedal, receiving, by the brake controller, a second signal from a pedal sensor of the first pedal, determining, by the brake controller, that the pedal is being pressed based on the first and second signals, and sending, by the brake controller, an instruction to apply a brake pressure in response to the determination that the pedal is being pressed.

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE: Braking systems and methods for an electrical vertical takeoff and landing aircraft are provided. A braking system may contain a pilot control device, brakes, wheels, sensors, and a controller. Pilot controls the pilot control device to transmit information to the controller such that the aircraft will slow down.

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE: Braking systems and methods for an electrical vertical takeoff and landing aircraft are provided. A braking system may contain a pilot control device, brakes, wheels, sensors, and a controller. Pilot controls the pilot control device to transmit information to the controller such that the aircraft will slow down.

A data processing unit for monitoring the performance of at least one undercarriage which is used for braking and/or steering an aircraft, wherein the data processing unit is configured to: receive data representative of operating characteristics of the undercarriage(s) and use that data to calculate a maximum achievable braking force and/or yaw moment to be generated by the undercarriage(s). Also a method for monitoring the performance of at least one aircraft undercarriage which is used for braking and/or steering an aircraft, the method including: receiving data representative of operating characteristics of the undercarriage(s); and using that data to calculate a maximum achievable braking force and/or yaw moment to be generated by the undercarriage(s).

A data processing unit for monitoring the performance of at least one undercarriage which is used for braking and/or steering an aircraft, wherein the data processing unit is configured to: receive data representative of operating characteristics of the undercarriage(s) and use that data to calculate a maximum achievable braking force and/or yaw moment to be generated by the undercarriage(s). Also a method for monitoring the performance of at least one aircraft undercarriage which is used for braking and/or steering an aircraft, the method including: receiving data representative of operating characteristics of the undercarriage(s); and using that data to calculate a maximum achievable braking force and/or yaw moment to be generated by the undercarriage(s).

A controller for an aircraft steering system, the controller being configured to receive a steering input representative of a desired direction of travel of a steerable nose landing gear, and to receive one or more force-based inputs representative of lateral forces acting upon the nose landing gear, wherein the controller is adapted to automatically adjust the steering input based upon the force-based input(s) so as to output an adjusted steering command for a steering actuator of the nose landing gear.

A controller for an aircraft steering system, the controller being configured to receive a steering input representative of a desired direction of travel of a steerable nose landing gear, and to receive one or more force-based inputs representative of lateral forces acting upon the nose landing gear, wherein the controller is adapted to automatically adjust the steering input based upon the force-based input(s) so as to output an adjusted steering command for a steering actuator of the nose landing gear.

An aircraft nose landing gear assembly is disclosed including two wheels, motors, brakes, and a controller. The wheels are separated by a steering axis and independently rotatable about a rotation axis in a rotation direction. The motors and brakes are each arranged to selectively engage a respective wheel. The motors and brakes supplement and resist rotation of the respective wheel in the rotation direction, respectively. On the basis of an indication to the controller of rotation of the two wheels in the rotation direction, the controller is arranged to: cause one motor to engage its respective wheel and supplement rotation, and cause the brake associated with the other wheel to engage the other wheel and resist rotation. Engagement of the motor and brake causes the wheels to pivot about the steering axis during a turning event.

An aircraft nose landing gear assembly is disclosed including two wheels, motors, brakes, and a controller. The wheels are separated by a steering axis and independently rotatable about a rotation axis in a rotation direction. The motors and brakes are each arranged to selectively engage a respective wheel. The motors and brakes supplement and resist rotation of the respective wheel in the rotation direction, respectively. On the basis of an indication to the controller of rotation of the two wheels in the rotation direction, the controller is arranged to: cause one motor to engage its respective wheel and supplement rotation, and cause the brake associated with the other wheel to engage the other wheel and resist rotation. Engagement of the motor and brake causes the wheels to pivot about the steering axis during a turning event.