Aircraft Alternative Braking System for Reduced Cost of Sustainment

Normal aircraft braking is achieved through a process of reverse thrust and a system of hydraulically activated brakes located on the main wheels of the aircraft. These friction based systems offer limited performance benefits including reduced braking capabilities due to brake fade, thermal loading issues, and generally higher operational, maintenance, repair and overhaul costs over the life cycle of the braking system. An electromagnetic based system based on low cost of ownership, high-torque to low-weight performance, high reliability, and higher level of safety control of braking forces would better serve the airline industry and offer a significant opportunity to combine electromagnetic braking with an energy storage system that would allow the aircraft the ability to:1. Recapture some of the available kinetic energy during the landing event to increase the overall efficiency of the aircraft.2. Transfer this available kinetic energy from the landing wheels through a motor generator to an energy storage device on board the aircraft3. Use this stored energy during ground taxiing operations as a means to eliminate taxi fuel burn while the aircraft is on the ground.4. Reduce the number of hours spent on maintenance of the conventional braking system.