Method for Monitoring Autonomous Accelerated Aircraft Pushback

Abstract

A method for monitoring an autonomous accelerated pushback process in an aircraft equipped with an engines-off taxi system is provided to maximize safety and facilitate the accelerated pushback process. The aircraft is equipped with a monitoring system including a number of different kinds of sensors and monitoring devices positioned to maximally monitor the aircraft's exterior ground environment and communicate the presence or absence of obstructions in the aircraft's path while the pilot is controlling the engines-off taxi system to drive the aircraft in reverse away from a terminal gate and then turn in place at a selected location before driving forward to a taxiway. The sensors and monitoring devices may be a combination of cameras, ultrasound, global positioning, radar, and LiDAR or LADAR devices, and proximity sensors located at varying heights adapted to continuously or intermittently scan or sweep the aircraft exterior and ground environment during aircraft ground movement.

Description

PRIORITY CLAIM

[0001] This application claims priority from United States Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 866,044, filed 15 Aug. 2013, the disclosure of which is fully incorporated herein by reference.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present invention relates generally to monitoring the pushback of aircraft from a terminal gate or stand and specifically to a method for monitoring autonomous pushback in an aircraft equipped with an engines-off taxi system controllable for autonomous aircraft ground travel.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Terminal gate and ramp areas in today's airports can be very congested places, with simultaneously arriving and departing aircraft and ground service vehicles and ground personnel servicing and directing aircraft into and out of gates. The avoidance of collision incidents in this area requires careful monitoring and control of the locations and movement of aircraft and other vehicles as they maneuver within these areas. The pushback of departing aircra...

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0018]Maximizing the efficiency of aircraft turnaround to reduce the time an aircraft spends on the ground continues to receive attention from airlines and airports in an effort to increase revenues in an era of increased operating costs. While specific estimates vary, it is generally agreed that even a minute saved during an aircraft's turnaround may produce substantial annual cost savings. Consequently, modifications to gate structures and turnaround procedures that achieve turnaround time reductions are of great interest to airport and airline operators. The inventors of the present method have developed an alternative to the currently used pushback process that realizes time and labor savings not previously possible while reducing aircraft turnaround time. This method may be quickly implemented, moreover, at an estimated 90% or more of all airports without requiring modifications to existing airport facilities.

[0019]In the most commonly used aircraft turnaround process, an aircr...

PRIORITY CLAIM

[0001] This application claims priority from United States Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 866,044, filed 15 Aug. 2013, the disclosure of which is fully incorporated herein by reference.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present invention relates generally to monitoring the pushback of aircraft from a terminal gate or stand and specifically to a method for monitoring autonomous pushback in an aircraft equipped with an engines-off taxi system controllable for autonomous aircraft ground travel.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Terminal gate and ramp areas in today's airports can be very congested places, with simultaneously arriving and departing aircraft and ground service vehicles and ground personnel servicing and directing aircraft into and out of gates. The avoidance of collision incidents in this area requires careful monitoring and control of the locations and movement of aircraft and other vehicles as they maneuver within these areas. The pushback of departing aircra...

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0018]Maximizing the efficiency of aircraft turnaround to reduce the time an aircraft spends on the ground continues to receive attention from airlines and airports in an effort to increase revenues in an era of increased operating costs. While specific estimates vary, it is generally agreed that even a minute saved during an aircraft's turnaround may produce substantial annual cost savings. Consequently, modifications to gate structures and turnaround procedures that achieve turnaround time reductions are of great interest to airport and airline operators. The inventors of the present method have developed an alternative to the currently used pushback process that realizes time and labor savings not previously possible while reducing aircraft turnaround time. This method may be quickly implemented, moreover, at an estimated 90% or more of all airports without requiring modifications to existing airport facilities.

[0019]In the most commonly used aircraft turnaround process, an aircr...

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