Airport system for operations, safety, and security

• US 20050247824A1
• Filed: 04/14/2004
• Published: 11/10/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/14/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kenneth M. Allison Sr
• Original Assignee: Kenneth M. Allison Sr
• Inventors: Allison, Kenneth M. Sr.
• Granted Patent: US 7,367,528 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 244/137.200
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/00 Passenger or crew accommodation; Flight-deck installations not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: B64F 1/31 Passenger vehicles specially adapted to co-operate, e.g. dock, with aircraft or terminal buildings
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 50/80 Energy efficient operational measures, e.g. ground operations or mission management

Abstract

A new and improved airport concept is disclosed herein. Redesigned aircraft would be allowed to dock in the terminal instead of pulling up to loading bridge. The nose section of the aircraft would tilt upwards or to the side, either before or after the aircraft enters the terminal docking station, wherein the passenger compartment would be removed from the aircraft and placed in a deplaning area. Subsequently, a new passenger compartment, fully loaded, would be placed into the plane. Baggage would also be compartmentalized and would be removed through the tail end section of the plane and the next baggage compartment would be put in place. The airport would be laid out in order to minimize passenger traffic and restrict vehicles to emergency and official airport use only. Common use aircraft could be used to accommodate a variety of airline companies flights, and also reduce fuel consumption and time. Dwell time at gates being reduced will mean less gates required to accommodate all aircraft. Terminals will no longer need to be spread out to accommodate more people. New restaurant designs would allow for a food court or restaurant tower.

Claims

1. An improved airport system comprising:

an aircraft having a nose section, wherein said nose section is pivotally connected to said aircraft, and wherein said nose section is configured so as to open by movement in a substantially upward direction;

said aircraft further having an exterior and an interior;

a passenger compartment module detachably mounted within the aircraft interior, wherein said passenger compartment can be removed from said aircraft;

an aircraft terminal building having at least one docking station wherein said at least one docking station is configured to receive said aircraft;

a departing passenger processing building;

an arriving passenger processing building;

at least one parking area;

a food court tower, wherein said food court tower is a building with at least one level comprising at least one establishment for procuring food therein; and

a transportation system communicating said arriving passenger processing building, said departing passenger processing building, and said food court tower with said airport terminal building.

2. The nose section of claim 1, wherein said nose section is configured so as to open by movement in a substantially sideways direction.

3. The food court tower of claim 1, further comprising:

more than one level; and

more than one establishment for procuring food is positioned therein.

4. The improved airport system of claim 1, wherein said at least one parking area may further comprise at least one multi-level parking garage;

5. The improved airport system of claim 1, further comprising more than one parking area.

6. An improved aircraft for use in an improved airport system comprising:

an aircraft having an exterior and an interior;

a nose cone section pivotally attached to said aircraft wherein said nose cone section can open upwards;

a passenger compartment detachably affixed in said interior of said aircraft, wherein said passenger compartment can be detached and removed from said aircraft;

at least one food module detachably mounted in said interior of said aircraft, wherein said food module can be detached and removed from said aircraft;

at least one detachably mounted lavatory module, wherein said lavatory module can be detached and removed from said aircraft;

said aircraft further comprising a pivotally mounted tail section, wherein said tail section can fold upward to allow access into said aircraft; and

a cargo module detachably mounted in said aircraft.

7. The nose section of claim 6, wherein said nose section is configured so as to open by movement in a substantially sideways direction.

8. The lavatory module of claim 6, wherein said lavatory module is detachably affixed to said passenger compartment.

9. The food module of claim 6, wherein said food module is detachably affixed to said passenger compartment.

10. The pivotally mounted tail section of claim 6, wherein said tail section may fold downward to allow access into the interior of said aircraft.

11. The nose cone section of claim 6, further comprising:

pilot seats, wherein said pilot seat are pivotally attached such that the seats remain substantially level when said nose cone section pivots open.

12. The aircraft of claim 6, further comprising wings that are retractable.

13. The aircraft of claim 6, further comprising wings that are foldable.

14. An improved airport terminal for said improved airport system comprising:

an aircraft;

at first docking station, wherein said first docking station is configured to receive an aircraft;

a second docking station, wherein a passenger transportation vehicle is received therein;

said first docking station have a docking opening to receive the aircraft;

at least one track system capable of movably engaging a passenger compartment detachably mounted within the aircraft;

a sanitation system capable of detachably receiving a lavatory module wherein said sanitary system provides for the evacuation of said lavatory module; and

a movable sidewalk system, wherein said movable side walk communicates at least between said first docking station and said second docking station.

15. The at least one track system of claim 14, wherein said at least one track system is configured so as to have retractably mounted rails, wherein said rails move together when tracks are not in use.

16. The first docking station of claim 14, further comprising more than one aircraft receiving docket station.

17. The first docking station of claim 16, wherein adjacent aircraft receiving docking stations are configured at different vertical heights.

18. The movable side walk of claim 14, wherein said movable sidewalk communicates between the multiple first docking stations and said second docking station.

19. The second docking station of claim 14, further comprises more than one passenger transportation vehicle receiving docketing station.

20. The at least one track system of claim 14, wherein said track system is a winch type system, and further wherein a cable is provided for moveably engaging said passenger compartment.

21. The aircraft of claim 14 further comprising an adjustable landing gear wherein said landing gear can be adjusted vertically to position said aircraft higher or lower when necessary to align with the first docking station.

22. The terminal of claim 14, further comprising a platform upon which the aircraft is positioned, wherein said platform is capable of vertically adjusting said position of the aircraft to coincide with the first docking station.

23. The terminal of claim 14, wherein the first docking station is capable of vertical adjustment to coincide with the aircraft vertical height.

24. A passenger compartment for use in an aircraft for an improved airport system comprising:

an aircraft, having an interior and an exterior;

a frame, wherein said frame is detachably mounted within the aircraft, and wherein said frame may be removed from the aircraft; and

at least one row of seats detachably affixed within said frame, wherein said at least one row of seats may be removed from the aircraft with said frame.

25. The passenger compartment of claim 24, wherein said passenger compartment comprises more than one independent and interconnectable module.

26. The passenger compartment of claim 24 wherein said compartment is rotationally attached to said aircraft, wherein a gyroscope controls rotation of said passenger compartment to keep said compartment level.

27. The passenger compartment of claim 24, further comprising a track onto which said frame is slidably mounted wherein said track allows frame to be moved into and out of said aircraft.

28. The at least one track system of claim 27, wherein said track system is a winch type system, and further wherein a cable is provided for moveably engaging said passenger compartment.

29. The passenger compartment of claim 24, further comprising a lavatory module detachably mounted to said frame, wherein said lavatory module may be removed from the aircraft with said frame.

30. The passenger compartment in claim 24, further comprising a food module detachably mounted to said frame, wherein said food module may be removed from the aircraft with said frame.

31. The passenger compartment of claim 24, further comprising an overhead storage bin fixedly attached to the interior of the aircraft above said seats, wherein said overhead storage bin remains within the aircraft when said frame is removed.

32. The passenger compartment of claim 24, further comprising an overhead storage bin fixedly attached to said frame above said seats, wherein said overhead storage bin may be removed from the aircraft with said frame.

33. The passenger compartment of claim 24, further comprising:

a sub-floor mounted to said frame, wherein said sub-floor defines a space between said sub-floor and bottom of said frame for storage, and wherein said sub-floor having pivotally mounted doors therewithin; and

further wherein said sub-floor may be removed from the aircraft with said frame.

34. The passenger compartment of claim 24, further comprising passenger access for ingress and egress from more than one side of the passenger compartment.

35. A passenger compartment for use in aircraft for use in improved airport system comprising:

a frame, having a top and a bottom, slidably mounted in said aircraft;

a track, wherein said frame movably engages said track for moving said frame into and out of said compartment;

a sub-floor, having an outer surface, mounted to said frame wherein said sub-floor defines a space between said sub-floor and bottom of said frame for storage;

at least one pivotally mounted door affixed to said sub-floor, wherein said at least one pivotally mounted door communicates between the outer surface of the sub-floor and said space defined by said sub-floor and the bottom of said frame; and

at least one row of seats fixedly attached to said outer surface of said sub-floor.

36. The at least one track system of claim 35, wherein said track system is a winch type system, and further wherein a cable is provided for moveably engaging said passenger compartment.

37. The at least one pivotally mounted door of claim 35, further comprising a seat attached to said at least one pivotally mounted door, wherein said seat may be tilted upward to open said at least one pivotally mounted door.

38. The at least one pivotally mounted door of claim 35, wherein said at least one pivotally mounted door is positioned in a direction away from a seat towards the forward end of an aircraft.

39. The space defined between said sub-floor and bottom of said frame of claim 35, further comprising at least one sensor, wherein said sensor detects the presence of an article within said space.

40. A food court tower for an improved airport system comprising:

a building, wherein said building comprises at least one level;

at least one restaurant positioned within said building;

a transportation system, wherein said transportation system provides communication between said food court tower and an airport departure building and an airport arrival building.

41. The food court tower of claim 40, wherein said building comprises multiple levels.

42. The food court tower of claim 41, wherein a bottommost level comprises at least one snack outlets, at least one concession outlet, and at least one sundry shop.

43. The food court tower of claim 41, wherein a level above a bottommost level may comprise fast food restaurants.

44. The food court tower of claim 41, wherein restaurants, of better perceived quality, are positioned on successive levels, in an upwardly direction, of the multiple level building.

45. An improved landing gear for an aircraft comprising:

an aircraft landing gear;

more than one wheel, each wheel with a tire mounted thereon;

a pivotally mounted frame attached to said landing gear, wherein each wheel, with a tire mounted thereon, is detachably affixed to said pivotally mounted frame;

said pivotally mounted frame is rotationally capable;

wherein said pivotally mounted frame rotates to place at least one wheel, with a tire mounted thereon, in position to be deployed in a position to contact a landing surface upon deploying said landing gear; and

a computer control system, wherein said computer control system may detect the functionality of said more that one wheel with a tire mounted thereon.

46. The wheel with a tire mounted thereon of claim 45, further comprising at least one fin disposed about said wheel such that said at least one fin promotes rotation of said wheel when activated.

47. A method for implementing common-use aircraft in an improved airport system comprising a the steps of:

providing at least one passenger;

selecting a destination city;

providing an aircraft with seats to accommodate said at least one passenger;

providing for more than one airline company to sell tickets for occupying the aircraft seats;

reserving a block of said seats by each of said more than one airline company;

selecting by said at least one passenger of at least one of said more than one airline company;

purchasing a seat ticket from the selected airline company, wherein said airline company sells said seat ticket from a block of seats reserved on said aircraft;

obtaining a seat assignment from the selected airline company on said aircraft; and

boarding said aircraft.

48. The method of claim 47, further comprising the steps of:

providing more than one passenger;

selecting, by the more than one passengers, more than one of said more than one airline companies;

purchasing seat tickets, by the more than one passengers, from the selected airline companies, wherein said airline companies sell said seat ticket from a block of seats reserved on said aircraft;

obtaining seat assignments, by the more than one passengers, from the selected airline companies on said aircraft; and

boarding said aircraft, wherein the more than one passengers, board the same aircraft seat tickets sold by the more than one of said more than one airline companies.

49. The method of claim 47, further comprising the steps of pilots charting direct flight courses to destination cities.

50. A method for implementing an improved airport system comprising the steps of:

selecting a substantially large parcel of land for an airport;

constructing at least one aircraft terminal substantially in the center of said airport property or right-of-way;

constructing a parking facility on one outside boundary of said airport property of right-of-way;

constructing a passenger departure building near said parking area;

constructing a passenger arrival building in close proximity of said parking area;

installing a transportation system connecting said passenger departure and said passenger arrival building with said terminal;

implementing all passenger check-in operations within said passenger departure building;

constructing a food court tower building within close proximity of said passenger departure building and passenger arrival building; and

installing a transportation system wherein transportation system connects said food court tower building with other airport system buildings.

51. A method of loading container trailer or trucks comprising the steps of:

providing cargo modules for loading in said trailer;

loading cargo into said modules;

staging said modules near loading dock where trailer will be parked; and

loading said containers in said trailer.

52. The method of claim 51, further comprising a set of tracks wherein said tracks movably engage said cargo modules for insertion into said truck.

53. The set of tracks of claim 52, wherein said tracks comprise a winch type system, and further wherein a cable is provided for moveably engaging said cargo modules.

54. The method of claim 51, wherein said container arrives loaded and must be unloaded prior to loading new modules.

55. A method of marketing on an aircraft comprising the steps of:

providing an aircraft with at least one row of passenger seating;

installing viewable monitors, wherein said monitor is viewable by a passenger sitting in the seat; and

presenting a combination of visual and verbal communication on said monitor.

56. The method of claim 55, further comprising:

providing interactive monitors, such that passengers viewing said monitors may select to purchase information presented on said monitor.