Cargo Velocity Control for Aircraft Loading Systems

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Solution Overview

Problem

Cargo handling systems face limitations in increasing system velocities without compromising the aircraft structure, as higher velocities lead to impact loading issues, and increasing structural design points is economically infeasible.

Innovation Solution

A control system that issues a first velocity control signal to power drive units (PDUs) for a specified time, followed by a second signal to maintain the container's velocity, with the duration of the first signal decreasing as the number of engaging PDUs increases, allowing larger containers to accelerate more slowly and reducing impact loading.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If system velocity is increased to reduce turnaround time, then productivity is improved, but impact loading on aircraft structure worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveloading timeVSAvoidimpact loading

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts velocity control signals based on container characteristics (weight, dimensions, center of gravity). The control system modifies acceleration profiles and velocity commands in real-time to optimize loading speed while preventing excessive impact forces on the aircraft structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The control system changes operational parameters (velocity, acceleration, torque) based on container properties. By calculating optimal parameters beforehand and adjusting them during operation, the system achieves faster loading without creating harmful impact loads on the aircraft structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If velocity control signal duration is extended to maintain container velocity, then productivity is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecargo movement speedVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The control system uses periodic velocity control signals with varying durations and intensities rather than continuous maximum power application. By pulsing the drive units and allowing coasting periods, the system maintains cargo movement speed while reducing overall energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies velocity control signals at optimal durations - not continuously maximum power (excessive), but sufficient to achieve the desired velocity maintenance (partial). This optimization prevents energy waste while maintaining productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS11772899B2Cargo velocity control for cargo handling systems

Publication Date: 2023.10.03 GOODRICH CORP

AI summary

A control system for a cargo handling system is disclosed. The control system may be configured to advance larger containers at a slower speed than smaller containers. For instance, all containers may be initially advanced by the same first velocity control signal. At the expiration of a certain time period, all containers may thereafter be advanced by a different velocity control signal (from the first velocity control signal) that should least substantially maintain the velocity of the container as it existed at the time of the expiration of the noted time period. The length of the time period (for advancing the container at the first velocity control signal) may be varied based upon the size of the containers such that larger containers are accelerated for a shorter time than smaller containers and which in turn should then advance larger containers at a lower velocity compared to smaller containers.