Aircraft Powered Self Push Back Wheel Drive Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current airport operations face challenges in safely and efficiently moving aircraft in reverse without relying on external tow vehicles or main engines, due to safety concerns, fuel inefficiency, and ground congestion, as existing methods are either dangerous or require significant ground crew and equipment resources.
Innovation Solution
A powered self push back system integrated into the aircraft, allowing pilots to control the movement using existing cockpit controls and minimal ground crew assistance, utilizing a self-propelled wheel drive assembly powered by the aircraft's auxiliary power unit, enabling independent reverse movement without external assistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If reverse thrust is used to move the aircraft in reverse, then the aircraft can be moved from the parked position, but foreign object debris is thrown forward causing safety hazards and fuel consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the harmful reverse thrust function from the main aircraft engines and relocates it to a separate auxiliary powered wheel assembly. This allows the aircraft to move in reverse without using the main engines, thereby eliminating foreign object debris generation and reducing fuel consumption while preserving the reverse movement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces an intermediary auxiliary powered wheel assembly that acts as a mediator between the ground and the aircraft. This intermediary system provides the necessary reverse thrust force without requiring the main aircraft engines to operate in reverse, thus avoiding the harmful effects of foreign object debris and excessive fuel consumption.
2Reliability
If a tow vehicle or tug is used to push back the aircraft, then the aircraft can be moved in reverse safely, but ground vehicle traffic increases and ground crew requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention enables the aircraft to push back autonomously using its own auxiliary powered wheel assembly. The aircraft serves itself by providing the necessary thrust force internally, eliminating the need for external tow vehicles and reducing ground crew requirements while maintaining safe operation through pilot-controlled wheel assembly activation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the push back function from external tow vehicles and integrates it into the aircraft itself through the auxiliary powered wheel assembly. This eliminates ground vehicle traffic and reduces ground crew complexity while preserving the reliable safe push back operation.
3Ease of operation
If the aircraft main engines are used for push back, then the aircraft can be moved, but fuel consumption increases and engine idling time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the push back function from the main aircraft engines and relocates it to a separate auxiliary powered wheel assembly. This allows the aircraft to perform push back operations without engaging the main engines, significantly reducing fuel consumption and eliminating engine idling time while maintaining full push back capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The auxiliary powered wheel assembly acts as an intermediary system that provides the necessary thrust for push back operations without requiring the main aircraft engines. This intermediary system enables the aircraft to move without fuel consumption from the main engines, addressing the fuel efficiency concern while preserving operational capability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution reduces fuel consumption, minimizes ground congestion, enhances safety by eliminating foreign object debris and noise, and shortens aircraft turnaround times by allowing controlled push back operations with minimal ground crew and equipment, reducing reliance on external tugs and tow bars.
Implementation Method 1
A powered self push back system for an aircraft includes a wheel driver assembly powered by an auxiliary power unit
Implementation Method 2
a wheel driver assembly powered by a driver to rotate in a drive wheel in a selected direction in response to pilot controls
Data Source
AI summary
A powered self push back method and system for an aircraft are provided to move an aircraft on the ground safely during push back without assistance from an external tug vehicle or the aircraft main engines. The method employs constant cooperative communication and signals between the pilot and the ground crew during the push back process to ensure that push back of the aircraft is safe, efficient, and reduces aircraft turnaround time. The powered self push back system used in conjunction with this method includes at least one powered self-propelled aircraft drive wheel powered by a wheel drive assembly that can be activated by pilot input controls or by remote control exteriorly of or interiorly to the aircraft in response to ground crew signals to activate the driver to rotate the drive wheel in a reverse, push back direction, causing the aircraft to move in the push back direction or in a forward direction for taxi and takeoff in accordance with activation of the controls.