To Brake or Not Too Brake

Discussion 3.2


The failure I decided to use for this post is brake failure. "Aircraft brakes stop a moving aircraft by converting its kinetic energy to heat energy by means of friction between rotating and stationary discs located in brake assemblies in the wheels." (Olson 2019) There are so many different ways the brake system can fail and cause minor and major problems for the aircraft and the aircrew. When it comes to the entire brake system, there are many different components. There are stators, rotors, brake disc/pads, brake fluid, etc. 










The stators and rotors basically work against each other to help the tires slow to a stop. The stators stay mounted to the axel assembly, while the rotors stay fixed to the rotating tire. As the tires speed up, the rotors pick up speed. When the brakes are applied the stators push their discs into the rotors disc, creating friction, causing the tire to slow.  If any of the many components involved in the brake system go bad, it can cause the brakes to lock up during landing and cause the excess amount of friction and heat to cause a fire. If the disc wear down too much between being changed it can cause the brakes not to hold or create enough friction during a stop and cause the plane to not stop in time before reaching the end of the runway. 


The best way to ensure that the brakes are at their best performance levels is to check and clean them regularly. Having periodically inspections every year or every specific amount if miles will help to keep the brake components up to par. Cleaning the brake system helps to keep soot and debris from getting trapped between the disc which can cause fires, if flammable debris, or not enough friction. Replacing the disc during this inspection, or as needed, if not worn beyond limit, will help make sure the disc does not give out based on being worn or not.


The difference between new brake disc and old, worn brake disc can be the difference between success and failure.








Reference

Olson, E. (2019, October 30). How do aircraft brakes work? How do aircraft brakes work? | Engineering360. Retrieved January 30, 2022, from https://insights.globalspec.com/article/12903/how-do-aircraft-brakes-work

R/aviation - old vs new aircraft brakes. reddit. (2018). Retrieved January 30, 2022, from https://www.reddit.com/r/aviation/comments/7aqfv0/old_vs_new_aircraft_brakes/


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