Torque pads for aircraft brake systems and aircraft brake system including same

A method comprising:

• coupling a plurality of stators to a torque tube;
• coupling a plurality of rotors to a wheel surrounding the torque tube such that each rotor of the plurality of rotors projects into a space between adjacent ones of the plurality of stators;
• and
• coupling a backing plate to the torque tube via a torque pad, wherein:
• the backing plate comprises a first surface facing the plurality of rotors and a second surface facing away from the plurality of rotors,
• the torque pad comprises a substantially planar surface and a key projecting outward from the substantially planar surface,
• the second surface of the backing plate includes a keyway configured to mate with the key of the torque pad to couple the backing plate to the torque tube,
• the backing plate defines a contact region on the second surface, the contact region extending outward from and at least partially surrounding a perimeter of the keyway on the second surface,
• coupling the backing plate to the torque tube via the torque pad comprises mating the key and the keyway, and
• when the key and keyway are mated, a portion of the substantially planar surface adjacent the key contacts the contact region of the backing plate and, of the torque pad, only the key is positioned within the keyway.

A system comprising:

• a backing plate comprising a first surface;
• and
• a torque pad comprising a second surface and a key projecting outward from the second surface,
• wherein the second surface of the torque pad is substantially planar,
• wherein the first surface of the backing plate includes a keyway configured to be mated with the key of the torque pad to couple the backing plate to the torque tube,
• wherein the backing plate defines a contact region on the first surface, the contact region extending outward from and at least partially surrounding a perimeter of the keyway on the first surface, and
• wherein, when the key and keyway are mated, a portion of the second surface adjacent the key contacts the contact region of the backing plate and, of the torque pad, only the key is positioned within the keyway.