Aircraft Push-Back Obstacle Detection with Mobile Sensor Coverage

The patent replaces human observers with an automated sensor system comprising cameras, LIDAR, or radar mounted on the push-back vehicle. This mechanical/optical system automatically detects obstacles and generates alerts, eliminating the need for human watchers while maintaining or improving detection reliability. The system processes sensor data through algorithms to identify potential collisions and communicates warnings to the operator, providing a scalable solution that doesn't increase operational complexity.

The push-back vehicle is equipped with its own integrated sensor system that autonomously monitors for obstacles without requiring external human observers. The system self-manages obstacle detection, data processing, and alert generation, making the vehicle self-sufficient in collision avoidance functionality while reducing dependency on additional personnel.

The observation system is mounted on the moving push-back vehicle rather than fixed stationary points, allowing it to dynamically adjust its monitoring position and coverage area. As the vehicle moves during push-back operations, the sensor system automatically repositions to maintain optimal observation angles, adapting to different airport layouts, gate configurations, and aircraft types without requiring reconfiguration of fixed observation points.

The integrated sensor system on the push-back vehicle serves multiple functions: it monitors obstacles, tracks aircraft position, adapts to different airport environments, and works with various aircraft types. This universal system replaces the need for airport-specific stationary observation points, providing flexible coverage across diverse operational scenarios.

The sensor system is positioned on the push-back vehicle at elevated or strategically located points, adding vertical and lateral dimensions to obstacle detection. This multi-dimensional positioning provides viewpoints that extend beyond the immediate front of the aircraft, enabling detection of obstacles in blind zones near the wings, tail, and other areas that a ground-level sensor on the tractor cannot observe.

The sensor system is divided into multiple independent detection units positioned at different locations on the push-back vehicle, each covering specific angular sectors. This segmentation allows comprehensive 360-degree monitoring around the aircraft, with each sensor segment contributing to overall collision detection coverage, overcoming the limited single-point viewpoint of a centralized sensor system.