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...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008]It is a primary object of the present invention, therefore, to provide a method for monitoring a streamlined, accelerated pushback process and autonomous reverse ground travel in an aircraft equipped with an engines-off taxi system, wherein the aircraft is driven safely in reverse along an optimum path and turned at an angle that expedites pushback so that it may then be driven forward for takeoff.

[0009]It is another object of the present invention to provide a method for monitoring an accelerated pushback process in an aircraft equipped with an engines-off taxi system for autonomous ground movement wherein the engines-off taxi system is controlled by the aircraft pilot at pushback to drive the aircraft safely in reverse to a safe turning location, turned through a turning angle selected to expedite aircraft departure, and driven forward to a takeoff runway.

[0011]It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method for monitoring an autonomous accelerated aircraft pushback process that enables a pilot of an aircraft equipped with an engines-off taxi system to safely maneuver the aircraft in reverse out of a gate area and then turn at an optimum angle and in an optimum direction with minimal assistance from ground personnel to taxi forward to a takeoff runway.

[0015]In accordance with the aforesaid objects, the present invention provides a method for monitoring an accelerated pushback process in an aircraft equipped with an engines-off taxi system for autonomous ground movement to maximize safety during the accelerated pushback process while requiring minimal assistance from ground personnel. When an aircraft equipped with an engines-off taxi system that is parked in a nose-in position at an airport terminal or gate has been cleared for departure and pushback, a pilot of the aircraft may control operation of the engines-off taxi system to drive the aircraft in reverse. The aircraft follows a reverse path away from the terminal or gate for a selected distance, which may vary at different airports, where the aircraft may safely turn in place and drive forward to a taxiway or takeoff runway. A monitoring system is provided, preferably with a plurality of different types of sensors, sensor devices, and / or monitoring devices, which are adapted to monitor multiple levels of the aircraft's ground environment where potential obstructions may be located and to communicate to the pilot the presence or absence of obstructions in the aircraft's reverse travel path or turning radius. Such obstructions may range from a moving ground vehicle to a forgotten catering truck attached to the aircraft. The monitoring method of the present invention further minimizes or eliminates the assistance needed from ground personnel during an autonomous accelerated pushback and turning process. A ground or tarmac surface trailing line with visual or non-visual indicators that may be seen or sensed by appropriate monitoring or sensing devices on the aircraft may further be provided to assist the pilot in controlling the engines-off taxi system to guide the aircraft along an optimum reverse travel path.

Problems solved by technology

The pushback of departing aircraft must be guided with even more care because the aircraft is moving in reverse, and the pilot and flight crew are not able to see the entire environment surrounding the aircraft.

Aircraft pushback, as it presently conducted, is a time and labor-intensive process that all too frequently produces delays in an airline's flight schedule.

The efficiency and speed of aircraft pushback operations tends to be adversely affected by the ground congestion found in most large airports.

This strains not only the available towing equipment, but also the available ground personnel.

None of the foregoing art, however, suggests a method for monitoring a streamlined, accelerated pushback process or autonomous reverse ground travel in an aircraft equipped with an engines-off taxi system, wherein the aircraft is driven safely in reverse along an optimum path and turned at an angle that expedites pushback, so that it may then be driven forward for takeoff.

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