Beacon docking system with visual guidance display
First Claim
1. A system for aligning one end of a passenger loading bridge to an aircraft having a doorway, the doorway defined within a side-wall of the aircraft, the side-wall including an inner wall defining an interior surface of the side-wall and an outer wall defining an exterior surface of the side-wall, the inner wall and the outer wall disposed in a spaced-apart arrangement one relative to the other, so as to define at least a space therebetween, the system comprising:
- a transmitter disposed within the at least a space of the side-wall for providing an electromagnetic signal for use during an operation for aligning the one end of the passenger loading bridge to the doorway of the aircraft;
a receiver disposed about a point having a known location relative to the one end of the passenger loading bridge, for receiving the electromagnetic signal transmitted from the transmitter, and for providing an electrical output signal relating to the electromagnetic signal;
a bridge controller in electrical communication with the receiver, for receiving the electrical output signal provided from the receiver, for determining a next movement of the one end of the passenger loading bridge in a direction toward the doorway of the aircraft based upon the electrical output signal, and for providing a control signal relating to the determined next movement; and
, a drive mechanism in communication with the bridge controller, for receiving the control signal therefrom, and for driving the one end of the passenger loading bridge in the determined direction toward the doorway of the aircraft.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system for aligning one end of a passenger loading bridge to an aircraft having a doorway is provided. A transmitter is disposed within a space of a side-wall of an aircraft, the side-wall including an inner wall defining an interior surface of the side-wall and an outer wall defining an exterior surface of the side-wall, the inner wall and the outer wall disposed in a spaced-apart arrangement one relative to the other, so as to define the space therebetween. The transmitter is for providing an electromagnetic signal including a homing signal for use during an operation for aligning the one end of the passenger loading bridge to the doorway of the aircraft. A receiver is disposed about a point having a known location relative to the one end of the passenger loading bridge, for receiving the electromagnetic signal transmitted from the transmitter, and for providing an electrical output signal relating to the electromagnetic signal. A bridge controller is provided in electrical communication with the receiver, for receiving the electrical output signal and for providing a control signal relating thereto. A drive mechanism is provided in communication with the bridge controller, for receiving the control signal therefrom, and for driving the one end of the passenger loading bridge in a direction toward the doorway of the aircraft. A kit and method for retrofitting an aircraft is also disclosed.
33 Citations
40 Claims
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1. A system for aligning one end of a passenger loading bridge to an aircraft having a doorway, the doorway defined within a side-wall of the aircraft, the side-wall including an inner wall defining an interior surface of the side-wall and an outer wall defining an exterior surface of the side-wall, the inner wall and the outer wall disposed in a spaced-apart arrangement one relative to the other, so as to define at least a space therebetween, the system comprising:
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a transmitter disposed within the at least a space of the side-wall for providing an electromagnetic signal for use during an operation for aligning the one end of the passenger loading bridge to the doorway of the aircraft;
a receiver disposed about a point having a known location relative to the one end of the passenger loading bridge, for receiving the electromagnetic signal transmitted from the transmitter, and for providing an electrical output signal relating to the electromagnetic signal;
a bridge controller in electrical communication with the receiver, for receiving the electrical output signal provided from the receiver, for determining a next movement of the one end of the passenger loading bridge in a direction toward the doorway of the aircraft based upon the electrical output signal, and for providing a control signal relating to the determined next movement; and
,a drive mechanism in communication with the bridge controller, for receiving the control signal therefrom, and for driving the one end of the passenger loading bridge in the determined direction toward the doorway of the aircraft. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A kit for retrofitting an aircraft, the aircraft having a space contained within a side-wall thereof, the side-wall including an interior wall defining an interior surface of the side-wall and an outer wall defining an exterior surface of the side-wall, the kit comprising:
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a transmitter module for being fixedly mounted within the space between the interior wall and the exterior wall and for transmitting an electromagnetic signal within a predetermined region of the electromagnetic spectrum; and
,a mount for securing the transmitter within the space. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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37. A method of retrofitting an aircraft having a doorway, the aircraft having a space contained within a side-wall thereof, the side-wall including an interior wall defining an interior surface of the side-wall and an outer wall defining an exterior surface of the side-wall, the method comprising:
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providing an opening in the exterior surface of the side-wall at a point proximate the doorway, the opening sized for accepting a housing;
mounting a housing within the opening;
securing a transmitter module to the housing;
providing an electrical connection between the transmitter module and an on-board power system of the aircraft; and
,securing a cover adjacent to the opening, so as to provide a surface that is substantially continuous with the exterior surface of the side-wall. - View Dependent Claims (38, 39)
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40. An apparatus for aligning one end of a passenger loading bridge to an aircraft having a doorway, the doorway defined within a side-wall of the aircraft, the side-wall including an interior wall defining an interior surface of the side-wall and an outer wall defining an exterior surface of the side-wall, the aircraft having a space contained within the side-wall, the apparatus comprising:
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a mounting structure; and
,a transmitter for being fixedly mounted, via the mounting structure, at a location within the space between the interior wall and the exterior wall, the transmitter for wirelessly providing a signal within a predetermined region of the electromagnetic spectrum, the signal comprising information relating to a location of the doorway relative to the location of the transmitter.
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Specification