Turntable Tow Vehicle Coordination for Omnidirectional Aircraft Maneuvering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional aircraft towing systems face challenges in maintaining proper alignment between the tow vehicle and the aircraft, particularly during tight maneuvers or in adverse weather conditions, and may cause stress on the aircraft's landing gear, leading to inefficiencies and safety risks.
Innovation Solution
A multi-vehicle omnidirectional aircraft maneuvering system with synchronized tow vehicles, each equipped with a turntable lifting unit, sensor systems, and a control unit for precise aircraft positioning and movement, enabling omnidirectional capabilities and real-time weight distribution management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional towing methods with towbars are used, then aircraft can be moved, but the towbars are cumbersome to connect and disconnect and may place stress on the aircraft's landing gear during turns
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the towbar component entirely, replacing it with a towbarless system where the towing vehicle directly engages the aircraft's nose landing gear. This extraction of the intermediate towbar eliminates the connection and disconnection operations while reducing stress concentrations on the landing gear structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a turntable mechanism as an intermediary device between the towing vehicle and the aircraft landing gear. This turntable serves as a mediator that enables smooth turning operations by allowing the towing vehicle to rotate independently, thereby eliminating stress on the landing gear during directional changes.
2Ease of operation
If existing towbarless designs with rotating platforms are used, then towing capability is improved, but maintaining proper alignment between the tow vehicle and the aircraft becomes difficult during tight maneuvers or in adverse weather
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates sensors that continuously monitor the position and orientation of both the towing vehicle and the aircraft. This feedback system provides real-time data to the control unit, enabling automatic adjustments to maintain precise alignment between the vehicle and aircraft during tight maneuvers or in adverse weather conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a dynamically adjustable turntable mechanism that can change its orientation and rotation speed in real-time based on operational conditions. This dynamic capability allows the system to adapt to tight maneuvers and adverse weather, maintaining optimal alignment through continuous adjustment rather than fixed geometric constraints.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multi-vehicle towing systems are used, then operational flexibility is improved, but synchronization between vehicles becomes difficult, potentially leading to misalignment or uneven force distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple towing vehicles into a unified system controlled by a single control unit. This merging of control functions allows the system to coordinate the movements of multiple vehicles precisely, ensuring they move in unison without misalignment or uneven force distribution, while maintaining the operational flexibility of having multiple vehicles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a centralized control unit that receives feedback from sensors on all towing vehicles and the aircraft. This feedback mechanism enables real-time synchronization of multiple vehicles, adjusting their positions and forces to maintain precise coordination and prevent misalignment during multi-vehicle towing operations.
4Productivity
If traditional towing methods are used in confined spaces, then aircraft can be moved, but the space requirements and maneuvering time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamically capable towing vehicle with a rotating turntable that can pivot 360 degrees. This dynamic maneuvering capability allows the vehicle to navigate confined spaces efficiently by changing direction without requiring large turning radii, thereby reducing both the space required and the time needed for repositioning aircraft in tight areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the maneuvering task into discrete rotational segments using the turntable mechanism. Instead of requiring continuous wide-angle turns, the system performs a series of controlled rotational movements, each occupying minimal space. This segmentation of the maneuvering path enables efficient operation in confined areas while maintaining high productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a multi-vehicle omnidirectional aircraft maneuvering system comprising a plurality of tow vehicles, each tow vehicle comprising a turntable lifting unit (TLU) configured to capture and secure a portion of an aircraft's landing gear, a control unit configured to communicate with and coordinate the movements of the plurality of tow vehicles, and wherein each TLU comprises an automated turntable, a gate configured to open and close to receive landing gear, and a moving floor configured to support the landing gear. The system enables precise positioning and omnidirectional movement of aircraft through coordinated operation of multiple tow vehicles that simultaneously engage with different landing gear components. Each tow vehicle includes sensors for detecting landing gear position and environmental conditions, while the control unit establishes wireless communication to synchronize lifting operations and coordinate simultaneous movement patterns. The turntable lifting units provide rotational capability while maintaining secure engagement with the aircraft's landing gear, allowing for complex maneuvering operations in confined spaces such as aircraft hangars and maintenance facilities.