Braking system

An aircraft braking system for an aircraft including first and second brakes, the aircraft braking system comprising:

• a first energy distribution system and a second energy distribution system configured to deliver energy to the first and second brakes to operate the respective first and second brakes,
• wherein the aircraft braking system is switchable between:
• a first configuration in which the first energy distribution system is coupled to the first brake and is isolated from the second brake, and the second energy distribution system is coupled to the second brake and is isolated from the first brake, and
• a second configuration in which the first energy distribution system is coupled to both the first and second brakes,
• wherein the first energy distribution system includes a first hydraulic pump and a first hydraulic fluid reservoir, and the second energy distribution system includes a second hydraulic pump and a second hydraulic fluid reservoir separate from the first reservoir,
• wherein a first maximum power output of the first hydraulic pump is greater than a second maximum power output of the second hydraulic pump,
• wherein the first hydraulic pump is adapted to operate up to the first maximum power output to pump hydraulic fluid to the first and second brakes while the aircraft braking system is in the second configuration,
• wherein the second hydraulic pump is adapted to operate up to the second maximum power output to supply hydraulic fluid to the second brake while the aircraft braking system is in the first configuration,
• wherein the first energy distribution system comprises a first normal circuit and a first alternative circuit, and the second energy distribution system comprises a second normal circuit and a second alternative circuit;
• wherein the first and second normal circuits are configured to couple the respective first and second hydraulic pumps to the respective first and second brakes;
• and
• wherein the first and second alternative circuits are configured to receive hydraulic fluid from the respective first and second hydraulic fluid reservoirs and supply hydraulic fluid to the respective first and second brakes.

An aircraft braking system for an aircraft including first and second brakes, the aircraft braking system comprising:

• a first energy distribution system and a second energy distribution system configured to deliver energy to the first and second brakes to operate the respective first and second brakes,
• wherein the aircraft braking system is switchable between:
• a first configuration in which the first energy distribution system is coupled to the first brake and is isolated from the second brake, and the second energy distribution system is coupled to the second brake and is isolated from the first brake, and
• a second configuration in which the first energy distribution system is coupled to both the first and second brakes,
• wherein the first energy distribution system includes a first hydraulic pump and a first reservoir, and the second energy distribution system includes a second hydraulic pump and a second reservoir separate from the first reservoir,
• wherein a first maximum power output of the first hydraulic pump is greater than a second maximum power output of the second hydraulic pump,
• wherein the first hydraulic pump is adapted to operate up to the first maximum power output to pump hydraulic fluid to the first and second brakes while the aircraft braking system is in the second configuration, and
• wherein the second hydraulic pump is adapted to operate up to the second maximum power output to supply hydraulic fluid to the second brake while the aircraft braking system is in the first configuration,
• wherein:
• the first reservoir has a first capacity to store hydraulic fluid sufficient to supply the first hydraulic pump operating at the first maximum power output,
• the second reservoir has a second capacity to store hydraulic fluid sufficient to supply the second hydraulic pump operating at the second maximum power output and insufficient to supply hydraulic fluid to the first hydraulic pump operating at the first maximum power output, and
• wherein the first capacity is greater than the second capacity.