Autonomous Nose Gear Capture for Precise Aircraft Pushback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aircraft ground handling systems face challenges in maintaining proper alignment during towing, especially in tight maneuvers or adverse weather conditions, and require manual intervention, which can lead to inefficiencies and increased risk of damage.
Innovation Solution
An autonomous tow vehicle equipped with a turntable lifting unit, sensor fusion system, and controller, which automatically detects the aircraft's nose landing gear, adjusts its position, and controls the towing operation to maintain alignment with pushback lines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional towing methods with towbars are used, then connection and disconnection operations can be performed, but the system becomes cumbersome and places stress on the aircraft's landing gear during turns
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the towbar component entirely, replacing it with a towbarless design where the towing vehicle directly engages the nose landing gear. This extraction of the intermediate towbar element eliminates the cumbersome connection/disconnection operations while reducing stress on the landing gear during turns.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a specialized engagement mechanism as an intermediary between the towing vehicle and nose landing gear. This mediator enables direct engagement without requiring a physical towbar, allowing for easier operations while distributing forces more effectively to reduce landing gear stress.
2Ease of operation
If existing towbarless designs are used, then towing operations can be simplified, but proper alignment between the tow vehicle and aircraft cannot be maintained during tight maneuvers or adverse weather
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates sensors that continuously monitor the relative position and alignment between the towing vehicle and aircraft. This feedback is transmitted to the control system, which automatically adjusts the towing vehicle's position and orientation to maintain proper alignment during tight maneuvers or adverse weather conditions, preserving both operational simplicity and alignment precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual alignment operations with an automated control system that uses sensor data to dynamically adjust the towing vehicle's position. This substitution of mechanical manual adjustment with automated electronic control maintains alignment precision while preserving the simplicity of the towing operation.
3Reliability
If manual intervention is used in towing operations, then real-time adjustments can be made, but inefficiencies increase and the risk of damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements an autonomous towing system where the towing vehicle independently performs alignment adjustments and navigation without manual intervention. The control system processes sensor data and automatically controls the vehicle's movements, eliminating human error and improving reliability while increasing operational efficiency through automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses continuous sensor feedback to enable the towing system to self-correct and maintain optimal operation without human intervention. This closed-loop control system improves reliability by preventing damage through precise, real-time adjustments while enhancing productivity by eliminating the inefficiencies associated with manual operations.
4Object-generated harmful factors
If electric propulsion systems are used in tow vehicles, then environmental impact is reduced, but high current demands during initial movement strain battery systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a battery management system that dynamically adjusts electrical parameters such as current delivery and voltage output based on the operational demands of the towing vehicle. During initial movement when high torque is required, the system temporarily increases current output to meet the demand, then returns to normal operating parameters, thereby maintaining reliability while supporting electric propulsion's environmental benefits.
Data Source
AI summary
An aircraft tow vehicle comprises a turntable lifting unit configured to automatically rotate and lift for attachment to a nose landing gear of an aircraft. A gate coupled to the turntable lifting unit automatically unlocks, opens to receive the nose landing gear, closes to secure the nose landing gear, and locks. A sensor system detects the nose landing gear. A controller receives data from the sensor system, processes the data to determine a position of the nose landing gear, and controls the turntable lifting unit while automatically adjusting a position of the tow vehicle relative to the nose landing gear. A moving floor adjusts to accommodate different nose wheel sizes. A nose wheel adapter automatically positions itself to hold down the nose landing gear when weight is detected on the moving floor.