IPC분류정보
국가/구분 |
United States(US) Patent
등록
|
국제특허분류(IPC7판) |
|
출원번호 |
US-0430505
(2013-09-09)
|
등록번호 |
US-10059450
(2018-08-28)
|
우선권정보 |
IL-222208 (2012-09-27) |
국제출원번호 |
PCT/IL2013/050757
(2013-09-09)
|
국제공개번호 |
WO2014/049590
(2014-04-03)
|
발명자
/ 주소 |
|
출원인 / 주소 |
- ISRAEL AEROSPACE INDUSTRIES LTD.
|
대리인 / 주소 |
|
인용정보 |
피인용 횟수 :
0 인용 특허 :
7 |
초록
▼
Cargo handling systems and methods for a freight deck of an aircraft are provided, as well as mobile transport apparatus. In at least one example, the system includes a support structure, at least one mobile transport apparatus, and a plurality of locking devices. The support structure is configured
Cargo handling systems and methods for a freight deck of an aircraft are provided, as well as mobile transport apparatus. In at least one example, the system includes a support structure, at least one mobile transport apparatus, and a plurality of locking devices. The support structure is configured for at least partially supporting at least one cargo unit on the support structure, Each mobile transport apparatus is configured for selectively moving over the freight deck to a plurality of locations on the freight deck, for selectively engaging to the at least one cargo unit, for selectively propelling said at least one cargo unit over said freight deck while the apparatus is engaged to the at least one cargo unit, for enabling said at least one cargo unit to be deposited at a desired said location supported on said support structure, and for selectively disengaging from the at least one cargo unit. Each locking device is configured for selectively releasably locking the at least one cargo unit with respect to the freight deck at said desired location.
대표청구항
▼
1. A cargo handling system for a freight deck of an aircraft, the cargo handling system comprising: a support structure configured for at least partially supporting at least one cargo unit thereon;at least one mobile transport apparatus configured for selectively moving over the freight deck to a pl
1. A cargo handling system for a freight deck of an aircraft, the cargo handling system comprising: a support structure configured for at least partially supporting at least one cargo unit thereon;at least one mobile transport apparatus configured for selectively moving over the freight deck to a plurality of locations thereon, for selectively engaging to the at least one cargo unit, for selectively propelling said at least one cargo unit over said freight deck while the apparatus is engaged to the at least one cargo unit, for enabling said at least one cargo unit to be deposited at a desired said location supported on said support structure, and for selectively disengaging from the at least one cargo unit;a plurality of locking devices configured for selectively releasably locking the at least one cargo unit with respect to the freight deck at said desired location;wherein said at least one mobile transport apparatus is configured for propelling the said at least one cargo unit when said at least one cargo unit is in overlying engaging relationship with said at least one mobile transport apparatus; andwherein parts of said at least one mobile transport apparatus in said overlying engaging relationship with said at least one cargo unit have a height dimension from the freight deck not exceeding a datum height dimension defined by said support structure, at least while said at least one mobile transport apparatus is propelling the said at least one cargo unit with respect to said support structure. 2. The cargo handling system according to claim 1, wherein said at least one mobile transport apparatus comprises a releasable engagement system for selectively engaging with and disengaging from said at least one cargo unit, and a powered drive unit configured for selectively propelling the respective said mobile transport apparatus over the freight deck. 3. The cargo handling system according to claim 2, wherein said powered drive unit comprises a plurality of wheels rotatably mounted thereto and configured for rolling over the freight deck. 4. The cargo handling system according to claim 2, wherein said releasable engagement system is configured for releasably engaging with an underside of said at least one cargo unit. 5. The cargo handling system according to claim 4, wherein said releasable engagement system comprises an apparatus height changing system, configured for selectively changing the height of said mobile transport apparatus from a first height, less than said datum height dimension, to a second height, corresponding to said datum height dimension. 6. The cargo handling system according to claim 1, wherein said support structure comprises at least one pair of parallel spaced support rails configured for at least partially supporting said at least one cargo unit thereon while said at least one mobile transport apparatus is propelling the said at least one cargo unit with respect to said support structure. 7. The cargo handling system according to claim 6, wherein said support rails comprise rollers rotatably mounted to an upper part thereof, such as to allow said at least one cargo unit to move over said spaced support rails with said rollers in rolling contact with said at least one cargo unit while said at least one mobile transport apparatus is propelling the said at least one cargo unit with respect to said support structure. 8. The cargo handling system according to claim 1, wherein said at least one mobile transport apparatus is configured having a height between 2 inches and 5 inches. 9. The cargo handling system according to claim 1, wherein said at least one mobile transport apparatus is configured for propelling the said at least one cargo unit when said at least one cargo unit is in at least partially juxtaposed relationship therewith. 10. The cargo handling system according to claim 1, further comprising a controller configured for remotely controlling operation of said at least one mobile transport apparatus. 11. The cargo handling system according to claim 1, further comprising a guiding system configured for guiding said at least one mobile transport apparatus with respect to the freight deck. 12. The cargo handling system according to claim 11, wherein said guiding system comprises guiding rails configured for constraining movement of said wheels to said guiding rails. 13. The cargo handling system according to claim 11, wherein said guiding system comprises a sensor arrangement configured for providing control signals to said at least one mobile transport apparatus for controlling movement thereof along a predetermined path over the freight deck. 14. The cargo handling system according to claim 1, wherein said at least one mobile transport apparatus comprises at least one of: a battery, the cargo handling system further comprising a recharging system, including a recharger docking station provided in the freight deck and connected to a power supply and a docking head provided in the at least one mobile transport apparatus, the docking head and docking station being configured for establishing electrical connection with one another when said docking head docks with said docking station; orelectrical cables reversibly wound on a spool, the spool being mounted to one of the at least one mobile transport apparatus or the freight deck, and wherein electrical power is provided to the mobile transport apparatus by a power source in the aircraft or outside of the aircraft via said electrical cables, and wherein the electrical cables are spooled in or out according to the relative location of the at least one mobile transport apparatus with respect to the freight deck. 15. The cargo handling system according to claim 1, wherein said cargo unit is in the form of, or comprises, a pallet. 16. A mobile transport apparatus for use with a cargo handling system for a freight deck of an aircraft, the mobile transport apparatus configured for selectively moving over the freight deck to a plurality of locations thereon, for selectively engaging to at least one cargo unit, for propelling said at least one cargo unit over said freight deck when the apparatus is engaged to the at least one cargo unit, for depositing said at least one cargo unit on a desired said location supported on a support structure provided on the freight deck, and for selectively disengaging from the at least one cargo unit; wherein said mobile transport apparatus is configured for propelling said at least one cargo unit when said at least one cargo unit is in overlying engaging relationship with said mobile transport apparatus or in at least partially juxtaposed relationship with said at least one cargo unit; andwherein parts of said mobile transport apparatus in said overlying engaging relationship with said at least one cargo unit have a height dimension from the freight deck not exceeding a datum height dimension defined by the support structure, at least while said at least one mobile transport apparatus is propelling the said at least one cargo unit with respect to said support structure. 17. The mobile apparatus according to claim 16, further comprising a releasable engagement system for selectively engaging with and disengaging from said at least one cargo unit, and a powered drive unit configured for selectively propelling the respective said mobile transport apparatus over the freight deck. 18. The mobile transport apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said releasable engagement system comprises at least one retractable powered engagement unit, comprising at least one roller or wheel mounted to a housing member and selectively deployable between at least a first upper position for maximum frictional engagement between the roller or wheel and the underside of the cargo unit and a second position in which the roller or wheel is fully disengaged with respect to the underside of the cargo unit. 19. The mobile transport apparatus according to claim 16, further comprising mechanical abutment members at each one of the front end and the rear end thereof, the mechanical abutment members being selectively deployable form a retracted position to a deployed position, wherein in the deployed position the abutment members prevent relative forward and aft movement between the cargo unit and the apparatus, and wherein in the retracted position the abutment members cannot prevent relative forward and aft movement between the cargo unit and the apparatus. 20. The mobile apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said mobile transport apparatus is configured having a height between 2 inches and 5 inches. 21. The mobile apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said mobile transport apparatus further comprises a controller configured for enabling remotely controlling operation thereof. 22. The mobile apparatus according to claim 16, further comprising a guiding system configured for guiding said mobile transport apparatus with respect to the freight deck. 23. The mobile apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said mobile transport apparatus comprises at least one of: a battery, and further comprising a recharging system, including a recharger docking station provided in the freight deck and connected to a power supply and a docking head provided in the mobile transport apparatus, the docking head and docking station being configured for establishing electrical connection with one another when said docking head docks with said docking station; orelectrical cables reversibly wound on a spool, the spool being mounted to one of the mobile transport apparatus and the freight deck, and wherein electrical power is provided to the mobile transport apparatus by a power source in the aircraft or outside of the aircraft via said electrical cables, and wherein the electrical cables are spooled in or out according to the relative location of the mobile transport apparatus with respect to the freight deck. 24. A method for handling cargo units on a freight deck of an aircraft, the method comprising: causing at least one mobile transport apparatus to move over the freight deck to at least one of a plurality of locations thereon;selectively engaging the at least one mobile transport apparatus to the at least one cargo unit at one said location;propelling said at least one cargo unit over said freight deck to a second said location while the at least one mobile transport apparatus is engaged to the at least one cargo unit;selectively disengaging the mobile transport apparatus from the at least one cargo unit; anddepositing said at least one cargo unit at said second location on the freight deck, supported on a support structure provided on the freight deck, wherein said mobile transport apparatus is configured for propelling the said at least one cargo unit when said at least one cargo unit is in overlying engaging relationship therewith or in at least partially juxtaposed engaging relationship therewith; and wherein parts of said mobile transport apparatus in said overlying engaging relationship with said at least one cargo unit have a height dimension from the freight deck not exceeding a datum height dimension defined by the support structure, at least while said at least one mobile transport apparatus is propelling the said at least one cargo unit with respect to said support structure. 25. The method according to claim 24, further comprising: providing a support structure on the flight deck and comprising the step of depositing said at least one cargo unit at said second location on said support structure on the freight deck; andselectively releasably locking the at least one cargo unit with respect to the freight deck at said second location. 26. The method according to claim 24, further comprising controlling the motion of the mobile transport apparatus over the freight deck in any one of a manual manner, an automatic manner, an autonomous manner and via remote control. 27. The method according to claim 24, further comprising at least one of: inserting a said cargo unit into the freight deck via a side entrance of the aircraft, steering said mobile transport apparatus towards said cargo unit, engaging said cargo unit and steering the mobile transport apparatus to a desired location along a desired cargo path defined on the freight deck, depositing said cargo unit thereat, and disengaging said mobile transport apparatus from said cargo unit;inserting a said cargo unit into the freight deck via a side entrance of the aircraft, aligning and directing said cargo unit, towards a desired rectilinear cargo path defined on the freight deck, engaging said cargo unit and to said mobile transport apparatus on said cargo path, propelling said mobile transport apparatus to a desired location along a desired cargo path while engaged to the cargo unit, depositing said cargo unit thereat, and disengaging said mobile transport apparatus from said cargo unit; orinserting a said cargo unit into the freight deck via a nose or tail entrance of the aircraft, steering said mobile transport apparatus towards said cargo unit, engaging said cargo unit and steering the mobile transport apparatus to a desired location along a desired cargo path defined on the freight deck, depositing said cargo unit thereat, and disengaging said mobile transport apparatus from said cargo unit. 28. The method according to claim 24, further comprising selectively changing the height of said mobile transport apparatus from a first height, less than a spacing of a space between the cargo unit and the freight deck, introducing the mobile transport apparatus into said space so that said cargo unit is overlying said mobile transport apparatus, to a second height, greater than said first height and corresponding to said spacing, wherein to engage with an underside of the cargo unit.
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