Mobile Aircraft Weighing Platform for Center of Gravity Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for determining the weight and center of gravity of an aircraft are limited, as they require embedding weighing means in the ground, restricting their use to specific configurations and providing estimates rather than precise measurements.
Innovation Solution
A mobile weighing device with a platform, ground rolling unit, and communication system that can be positioned under an aircraft's undercarriage leg, allowing for accurate measurement of weight and center of gravity, featuring a chocking unit, load cells, and imaging units, and a central device for data processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If weighing means are embedded in the ground, then the system can measure aircraft weight, but the use is limited to certain aircraft configurations and locations
Solution Approach 1:
The weighing device is made mobile through the ground rolling unit with driving and steerable wheels, allowing it to be dynamically repositioned to accommodate different aircraft configurations and locations, rather than being fixed in the ground
Solution Approach 2:
The weighing system is divided into separate mobile weighing devices that can be independently positioned under each undercarriage leg, allowing flexible adaptation to different aircraft types and configurations
2Measurement precision
If weighing means are embedded in the ground, then weight measurement is possible, but the device complexity and installation requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The weighing means are extracted from the ground and integrated into a mobile platform that can be moved and positioned as needed, eliminating the complexity of ground embedding and installation
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile weighing device includes integrated ground rolling units with driving and steering capabilities, allowing the device to self-position and self-configure for different weighing scenarios without complex external installation
3Reliability
If manual chocking operations are performed, then aircraft safety is ensured, but personnel requirements and turnaround time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The chocking unit automatically performs chocking operations using actuators to position chocks under the undercarriage legs, eliminating the need for manual personnel intervention while ensuring safety
Solution Approach 2:
The system includes sensors that detect when chocks are properly positioned and transmit confirmation signals to the central device, providing automated verification of safety conditions and reducing turnaround time
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
Enables precise measurement of an aircraft's weight and center of gravity in various configurations, reducing the need for personnel and minimizing turnaround time, while providing accurate data for operational and performance calculations.
Implementation Method 1
The weighing platform comprises a matrix of load cells, each load cell being configured to generate and to transmit a weighing signal
Data Source
AI summary
A device for weighing aircraft includes a weighing platform configured to receive a undercarriage leg of the aircraft and to generate weighing signals, a first calculation unit configured to calculate weighing information from the weighing signals generated by the weighing platform, a communication unit configured to transmit to a central device and to receive signals including at least one signal representing the weighing information calculated by the calculation unit, and a ground rolling unit configured to move the weighing platform over a surface.