Method, device and computer program product for monitoring loading and unloading procedures in the cargo holds of an aircraft

• US 20080167760A1
• Filed: 01/09/2008
• Published: 07/10/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/10/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH (Airbus SE)
• Original Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH (Airbus SE)
• Inventors: Schmotzer, Klaus, Scherenberger, Sven
• Granted Patent: US 8,768,608 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/3
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management

Abstract

A method for monitoring loading and unloading procedures in the cargo holds of an aircraft, in which method the actual states that are present in each cargo hold are acquired. Furthermore, the invention relates to a device as well as to a computer program product for implementing the method according to the invention.

Claims

1. A method for monitoring loading and unloading procedures in the cargo holds of an aircraft, in which method the actual states present in each cargo hold are acquired,

wherein

the actual states are electronically acquired in the form of state data, and wherein by means of the state data at least one graphic that simulates all the cargo holds (1 to 4) is controlled.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the state data is compared to predefined data in a program-controlled manner;

from the comparison difference data is determined; and

the difference data is presented in the graphic that simulates the cargo holds (1 to 4).

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the mass of the containers (13 to 35) and/or pallets located in each cargo hold (1 to 4) is electronically acquired in the form of state data.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the inclined position of the aircraft, which inclined position results from the distribution of the containers (13 to 35) and/or pallets, is electronically acquired in the form of state data.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the contact pressure present at the nose wheel unit of the aircraft is electronically acquired in the form of state data.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein state data is electronically read from the containers (13 to 35) and pallets that are located in each cargo hold (1 to 4).

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the dimensions of the containers (13 to 35) and pallets that are located in each cargo hold (1 to 4) are electronically acquired in the form of state data.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the locking states of the containers (13 to 35) and pallets that are located in each cargo hold (1 to 4) are electronically acquired in the form of state data.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the track sections along which the containers (13 to 35) and pallets have moved in each cargo hold (1 to 4) are electronically acquired in the form of state data.

10. A device for monitoring the loading and unloading procedures in the cargo holds of an aircraft, by means of which device actual states that are present in each cargo hold are acquired, in particular for implementing the method of claim 1,

wherein

the device comprises several transducers for electronically acquiring the actual states, at least one display device (5) simulating the cargo holds (1 to 4), and a calculator that connects the transducers to the display device (5).

11. The device of claim 10, wherein the computer comprises at least one data read-in device.

12. The device of claim 10, wherein at least one of the transducers that in each case is allocated to a cargo hold (1 to 4) comprises scales.

13. The device of claim 10, wherein at least one of the transducers comprises an inclination detector.

14. The device of claim 10, wherein at least one of the transducers comprises a supporting-force sensing device that is allocated to the nose wheel unit of the aircraft.

15. The device of claim 10, wherein at least one transducer that in each case is allocated to a cargo hold (1 to 4) comprises a container- and pallet identification system.

16. The device of claim 10, wherein at least one transducer that in each case is allocated to a cargo hold (1 to 4) comprises a detector that detects the containers (13 to 35) and/or pallets.

17. The device of claim 10, wherein for each locking device allocated to a positioning space in each case at least one transducer is provided as a detector that detects a locking element.

18. An aircraft comprising several cargo holds and comprising a device of claim 10.

19. A computer program product for monitoring the loading and unloading procedures in the cargo holds of an aircraft, in particular for implementing the method of claim 1,

wherein

the computer program product comprises at least one data processing program, at least one graphic program simulating the cargo holds (1 to 4), and a control program that links the data processing program to the graphic program.