GROUND SUPPORT SERVICE CART APPARATUS AND METHODS

• US 20110048572A1
• Filed: 09/02/2009
• Published: 03/03/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/02/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Spokane Stainless Technologies Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Spokane Industries
• Inventors: Santjer, Steve W., Carroll, Silas E. IV, Batson, Nathan S.
• Granted Patent: US 8,740,251 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 141/1
• CPC Class Codes: B64F 1/28 Liquid-handling installations specially adapted for fuelling stationary aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/6918 With hose storage or retrieval means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/6929 Reel type

Abstract

A equipment service apparatus suited for use in servicing ground support equipment (GSE) or aircraft ground equipment (AGE). The apparatus includes a plurality of features for use in servicing and maintaining the GSE/AGE where the GSE/AGE is in use servicing an aircraft so that the GSE/AGE is not itself required to be transported to a remote location for servicing and/or maintenance. The apparatus may be constructed as a towable cart. The apparatus may include a fuel tank, a pump system configured to add fuel to or remove fuel from the fuel tank, and a fuel valve assembly operable to control fuel flow into and out of the fuel tank. The apparatus may also include a container storage portion configured to retain a plurality of removable fluid storage containers, at least one power source, and a power control system operable to control power from the at least one power source to operate at least some features of the equipment service apparatus.

Claims

1. An equipment service apparatus, comprising:

a support frame;

at least two axles mounted to the support frame;

at least one pair of wheels mounted to each axle;

a fuel tank;

a pump system configured to add fuel to and remove fuel from the fuel tank;

a fuel valve assembly operable to control fuel flow into and out of the fuel tank;

a container storage portion configured to retain a plurality of removable fluid storage containers;

at least one power source;

a power control system operable to control power from the at least one power source to operate at least some features of the equipment service apparatus.

2. The equipment service apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fuel valve assembly is operable to either permit fuel flow into or permit fuel flow out of the fuel tank at a given time.

3. The equipment service apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pump system includes at least one fuel filter member.

4. The equipment service apparatus of claim 1, wherein the container storage portion is configured to retain at least one removable storage container comprising one of motor oil, hydraulic oil, and engine coolant.

5. The equipment service apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one power source include a rechargeable battery.

6. The equipment service apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a lighting system comprising at least one light member arranged to illuminate portions of the equipment service apparatus.

7. The equipment service apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a tow bar connected at one end of the support frame, the tow bar being adjustable from an lowered operating position and raised rest position.

8. The equipment service apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a brake system operable to apply a brake force to at least one of the pairs of wheels.

9. The equipment service apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a fuel dispensing assembly comprising a spooled hose and a nozzle, the spool dispensing assembly being connected in flow communication with the fuel valve assembly.

10. The equipment service apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a spill containment kit.

11. The equipment service apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a source of fire suppressant.

12. The equipment service apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a source of compressed air;

an compressed air dispenser connected in flow communication with the source of compressed air.

13. The equipment service apparatus of claim 12, wherein the source of compressed air includes an air compressor and a compressed air storage tank.

14. A portable fueling and equipment service apparatus, comprising:

a fuel tank positioned at a front end of the apparatus;

a fuel dispenser positioned at a rear end of the apparatus;

a fuel reclaiming assembly positioned at the rear end of the apparatus;

a DC power supply positioned at the rear end of the apparatus;

at least one control member operable to control the fuel dispenser, fuel reclaiming assembly, and DC power supply positioned at the rear end of the apparatus;

a fluid container storage portion configured to retain at least one removable fluid container and positioned at the rear end of the apparatus.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising a fuel pump and a four-way valve, wherein the four-way value controls a direction of fluid flow from one of the fuel tank to the fuel dispenser or from the fuel reclaiming assembly to the fuel tank.

16. A method of servicing at least one ground support equipment (GSE), the method comprising:

providing a portable ground support equipment service cart having a fuel tank configured to retain a supply of fuel, a fuel dispenser, a fuel reclaiming assembly, a fuel pump, a power supply, a container retention portion configured to retain at least one removable fluid container, and a valve assembly;

operating the valve assembly to control a direction of fuel flow to or from the fuel tank;

operating the fuel pump with the power supply to provide dispensing of the supply of fuel from the fuel tank, through the fuel dispenser, and to the at least one GSE;

operating the fuel pump to provide removal of fuel from the at least one GSE into the fuel tank with the fuel reclaiming assembly;

supplying fluids from the at least one removable fluid container to the at least one GSE.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the portable ground equipment service cart further includes a source of pressurized air and a pressurized air dispenser, the method further comprising supplying pressurized air to the at least one GSE with the pressurized air dispenser.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the portable ground equipment service cart further comprises at least one axle, at least one pair of wheels, and a tow bar, the method further comprising towing the portable ground equipment service cart to a position adjacent to the at least one GSE.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the portable ground equipment service cart further includes a lighting system, the method further including illuminating a portion of at least one of the GSE and the portable ground equipment service cart with the lighting system.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein the portable ground equipment service cart further includes a spill containment kit, the method further comprising using the spill containment kit to contain spilled fluid associated with servicing the at least one GSE.

21. The method of claim 16, wherein the portable ground equipment service cart further includes a control console operable to control operable of the fuel dispenser and fuel reclaiming assembly, a valve actuator operable to operable the valve assembly, and a power controller operable to control power supplied from the power supply for operation of at least some features of the portable ground equipment service cart.