Airplane Cargo Weight and Balance Control via Sensor Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for controlling airplane loading and unloading processes are limited by mechanical and electrical interventions in the landing gear, low accuracy due to high empty weight, and susceptibility to environmental factors, which affect the precision of weight and center of gravity calculations.
Innovation Solution
A Weight & Balance (W&B) system that identifies and tracks parcels using sensors and calculation units, projecting future center of gravity and alerting for critical conditions, connected via CAN bus to the cargo loading system and airplane data bus, allowing real-time monitoring and control of loading processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If pressure sensors or strain gauges are installed in the landing gear area to control loading, then weight and center of gravity can be monitored, but mechanical and electrical intervention into the landing gear is required which increases device complexity and reliability risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the measurement function from the landing gear system by using sensors in the cargo hold area to detect parcel positions and weights. This eliminates the need for mechanical and electrical intervention in the landing gear while still enabling accurate weight and center of gravity calculation through computational methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical measurement systems (strain gauges in landing gear) with a sensor-based detection system in the cargo hold combined with computational algorithms. The sensor system detects parcel information and the calculation unit determines weight and center of gravity through software processing rather than mechanical measurement.
2Measurement precision
If traditional loading control systems are used, then loading process can be monitored, but accuracy is limited due to high empty weight of airplane and susceptibility to environmental factors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by determining the weight and center of gravity of parcels before they are loaded onto the airplane. The sensor system detects parcel information at the loading point, and the calculation unit computes the weight and center of gravity in advance, allowing for accurate monitoring without being affected by the airplane's empty weight or environmental factors during flight.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary system consisting of sensors and calculation units that act as mediators between the physical loading process and the weight monitoring function. This intermediary system directly measures parcel properties and computes weight data independently of the airplane's overall weight and environmental conditions, thereby improving measurement accuracy.
3Productivity
If parcels are loaded without real-time tracking, then loading process is simpler, but it becomes obvious only after storage that parcels must be moved or unloaded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring parcel positions and weights during the loading process through sensors and calculation units. The system provides real-time information about the current weight and center of gravity, allowing immediate detection of loading errors and enabling corrective actions to be taken during loading rather than after storage, thereby reducing time losses.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces post-storage detection methods with real-time sensor-based monitoring during the loading process. The sensor system continuously detects parcel information and the calculation unit computes weight and center of gravity in real-time, eliminating the delay between loading completion and error detection, thus improving productivity while reducing time losses.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a device and a method for controlling the loading and/or unloading process of an aeroplane. According to the invention, a parcel introduced into the aeroplane is identified, a weight is associated with the parcel, the position of the parcel inside the airplane is monitored, and the total weight and/or center of gravity of the aeroplane is calculated from the aeroplane information provided and the weights and positions of the parcels.