Method and apparatus for providing power in an aircraft to one or more aircraft systems

Abstract

A method and apparatus is disclosed in which an aircraft system such as the landing gear system or braking system is operated at least partially under power provided by a generator driven by the wheels of the landing gear.

1 . Apparatus for providing power in an aircraft to an aircraft braking system, said apparatus comprising:
 a generator associated with a set of landing gear for an aircraft, said generator being coupled to one or more wheels of said landing gear for extracting kinetic energy from the or each said wheel and to convert said kinetic energy into a first power type for use by an aircraft braking system;   an aircraft braking system arranged to utilise said first power type; and   a control system operable to controllably supply said first power type from said generator to said aircraft braking system for operating one or more brakes for said aircraft.   
     
     
         2 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  in which said braking system is associated with said set of landing gear. 
     
     
         3 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  in which said control system is operable to supply said first power type to said braking system for operation of said braking system during landing of said aircraft. 
     
     
         4 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  in which said control system comprises an energy storage device arranged to be charged with energy from said generator for powering said braking system when the output of said generator is below a predetermined threshold. 
     
     
         5 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  in which said aircraft braking system is powered by a second power type and said control system is operable to convert said first power type from said generator to said second power type. 
     
     
         6 . Apparatus according to  claim 5  in which said first or second power type is hydraulic, pneumatic or electric. 
     
     
         7 . A method for providing power in an aircraft to an aircraft braking system, said method comprising the steps of:
 receiving a command to operate an aircraft braking system arranged to utilise a first power type;   directing power from a generator associated with a set of landing gear for an aircraft, said generator being coupled to one or more wheels of said landing gear for extracting kinetic energy from the or each said wheel and to convert said kinetic energy into said first power type for use by the aircraft braking system; and   operating said aircraft braking system under said power from said generator in response to said command.   
     
     
         8 . A method according to  claim 7  in which said braking system is associated with said set of landing gear. 
     
     
         9 . A method according to  claim 7  in which said first power type is supplied to said braking system for operation of said braking system during landing of said aircraft. 
     
     
         10 . A method according to  claim 7  in which an energy storage device arranged to be charged with energy from said generator for powering said braking system when the output of said generator is below a predetermined threshold. 
     
     
         11 . A method according to  claim 7  in which said aircraft system is powered by a second power type and said first power type from said generator is converted to said second power type. 
     
     
         12 . A method according to  claim 11  in which said first or second power type is hydraulic, pneumatic or electric.