초록 ▼

An automated galley-cart storage system for use in a structure having a lower area and an upper level. The storage system includes a container (22) sized to hold a predetermined maximum number of galley-carts (20) in lateral rows. An equal number of cart pallets (34) are provided as well. Galley-car

An automated galley-cart storage system for use in a structure having a lower area and an upper level. The storage system includes a container (22) sized to hold a predetermined maximum number of galley-carts (20) in lateral rows. An equal number of cart pallets (34) are provided as well. Galley-carts are positionable on the pallets within the container. A cart elevator (64) is located within the container and is used to lift and lower cart pallets through an upright passage (60) connecting the container with the upper level. An elevated transfer system (36) is located within the container to move the cart pallets in a predefined pattern within the container. The pattern passes through the elevator. During use, an operator may retrieve unused galley carts from the container and store used galley-carts in their place.

대표청구항 ▼

1. In an aircraft having a lower lobe area and a passenger deck with a galley station, an improvement comprising an automated lower lobe galley-cart storage system including:(a) a container sized to fit within the lower lobe area and to hold a predetermined maximum number of galley-carts in lateral

1. In an aircraft having a lower lobe area and a passenger deck with a galley station, an improvement comprising an automated lower lobe galley-cart storage system including:(a) a container sized to fit within the lower lobe area and to hold a predetermined maximum number of galley-carts in lateral rows, each row having a plurality of galley-carts positioned side-by-side; (b) an elevated transfer system located within the container and including a control system with a control panel located at the galley station; (c) an upright passage extending between the container and the galley station; (d) a cart elevator located within the container and extendable vertically from the container, through the upright passage, and into the galley station; (e) a number of cart pallets equal to or less than the predetermined maximum number of galley-carts, the cart pallets being located laterally within the container on the elevated transfer system, the elevated transfer system arranged to move the cart pallets in a predefined pattern that passes through the cart elevator, the cart elevator being arranged to lift and lower at least one of the number of cart pallets; and (f) a heat exchanger located within the container generally below the elevated transfer system; wherein during use, an operator uses the control system to retrieve unused galley carts from the container and store used galley-carts in their place; this operation occurring by the operator using the control system to operate the transfer system to move cart pallets along the predefined pattern such that a cart pallet with an unused galley-cart is located in the elevator, once at the elevator, the control system is used to operate the elevator to lift the pallet and corresponding unused galley-cart through the passage and into the galley station, once at the galley station, the unused galley-cart is moved from the pallet; a used galley-cart may be returned to the container by reverse sequence; and wherein the elevated transfer system includes a plurality of drive sprockets located throughout the container and a pulley system to synchronously rotate the plurality of drive sprockets; and wherein each cart pallet includes a rack affixed to its underside and formed to continuously engage one or more of the sprockets in both longitudinal and lateral directions.