US 11,702,193 B1
Systems and methods for an electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft braking system
Lochie Ferrier, Burlington, VT (US); and Riley Clinton Griffin, Montpelier, VT (US)
Assigned to BETA AIR, LLC, South Burlington, VT (US)
Filed by BETA AIR, LLC, South Burlington, VT (US)
Filed on Apr. 28, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/732,134.
Int. Cl. B64C 25/48 (2006.01); B60T 8/17 (2006.01); B60T 1/10 (2006.01); B64D 27/24 (2006.01); B64C 29/00 (2006.01)
CPC B64C 25/48 (2013.01) [B60T 8/1703 (2013.01); B60T 1/10 (2013.01); B64C 29/0025 (2013.01); B64D 27/24 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A braking system for an electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, the system comprising:
a wheel configured to allow rolling motion of the aircraft on the ground, wherein the wheel is a part of the aircraft, the wheel comprising a first wheel and a second wheel;
a skid component at an undercarriage of the aircraft and configured to support the aircraft on the ground, wherein the skid component comprises a skid tube comprising:
a recess, wherein the recess houses the wheel and is configured to allow the wheel to rotate freely; and
a biasing mechanism, wherein the biasing mechanism is configured to generate an elastic recoil force to allow the wheel to extend or retract in the recess; and
a brake configured to resist rotation of the wheel, the brake comprising a first brake configured to resist rotation of the first wheel and a second brake configured to resist rotation of the second wheel;
a pilot control device, the pilot control device configured to:
detect a measured pilot input, the measured pilot input comprising selective braking by the first brake to steer the aircraft while the aircraft is in motion on the ground; and
generate a pilot datum as a function of the measured pilot input;
a controller communicatively connected to the aircraft and the pilot control device, the controller configured to:
receive the pilot datum from the pilot control device;
generate an action command based on the pilot datum; and
transmit an action command to at least a control surface, the at least a control surface comprises a caliper, wherein a pressure sensor is used to determine a force applied by the caliper to the brake pad and the caliper interacts with the brake pad to resist rotation of a wheel, the first brake, and a rudder of the aircraft, wherein transmitting the action command comprises:
controlling operation of the caliper of the first brake to resist rotation of the first wheel to steer the aircraft on the ground; and
controlling operation of the rudder to control yaw of the aircraft to steer the aircraft on the ground.