Segmented Aircraft Tow Vehicles for Maneuverable Towing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional aircraft tow vehicles are heavy and difficult to maneuver due to their size and weight, making them inefficient for towing aircraft effectively.

Innovation Solution

The use of multiple aircraft tow vehicles coupled to the main landing gear of an aircraft, each equipped with a structural interface and a propulsive force system, allows for independent movement and synchronized propulsion, reducing the weight burden and improving maneuverability by applying force directly to the main landing gear wheels or using drive shafts and friction wheels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If conventional aircraft tow vehicles are designed to provide sufficient towing force, then the towing capability is improved, but the vehicle weight increases making it difficult to maneuver

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetowing forceVSAvoidvehicle weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the towing function into multiple independent tow vehicles (typically two) that operate in parallel, each applying force to different main landing gear wheels. This segmentation allows the total towing force to be distributed across multiple lighter vehicles rather than requiring one heavy vehicle, thereby resolving the contradiction between towing capability and maneuverability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Power

If a single heavy tow vehicle is used to provide sufficient traction, then the towing power is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in maneuvering

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetowing powerVSAvoidmaneuverability

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The towing power is segmented across multiple independent vehicles, each with reduced weight and improved maneuverability. The coordinated operation of these lighter vehicles collectively delivers the required total power while individually maintaining ease of handling and positioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The main landing gear wheels serve as intermediaries between the multiple tow vehicles and the aircraft body. By applying force through the wheel assemblies rather than directly to the aircraft structure, the system enables distributed power application while maintaining operational flexibility and ease of vehicle maneuvering.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

This approach enables more nimble and efficient aircraft towing, reducing tire wear and extending brake life by distributing the towing force more effectively, while allowing for autonomous or semi-autonomous operation and reduced maintenance costs.

Implementation Method 1

using drive shafts and friction wheels

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS11760505B2Aircraft tow vehicles and methods of towing an aircraft

Publication Date: 2023.09.19 THE BOEING CO

AI summary

An aircraft tow vehicle and methods of towing an aircraft are disclosed. An aircraft tow vehicle comprises an aircraft structural interface configured to couple to a wheel assembly of a main landing gear of an aircraft; and an aircraft towing propulsive force system configured to propel the aircraft forward when the aircraft structural interface is coupled to the wheel assembly.