Airport ground navigation system

• US 6,600,992 B2
• Filed: 05/17/2001
• Issued: 07/29/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/17/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Airborne Holding, LLC
• Original Assignee: Airborne Holding, LLC
• Inventors: Dow, John H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuchlinski, Jr., William A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hernandez, Olga
• Application Number:
  US09/860,008
• Publication Number:
  US 20020173904A1
• Time in Patent Office: 803 Days
• Field of Search: 701/207, 701/213, 701/1, 701/24, 701/25, 180/167, 180/168, 180/904, 244/50, 244/51
• US Class Current: 701/207
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0043 Traffic management of multiple aircrafts from the ground G08G5/003 takes precedence; data processing specially designed for resource management, e.g. scheduling or allocating time, human or machine resources G06Q10/06
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0082 for monitoring traffic from a ground station radar or analogous systems specially adapted for traffic control G01S13/91
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 180/904 Traction dollies for aircraft

Abstract

The disclosure teaches an airport ground navigation system uses aircraft tugs and a system for centralized positive control of all aircraft ground movements. Specifically, the physical position of each tug and its associated aircraft is tracked and relayed to a central control system. The central control system handles routing, schedules and movement within the airport.

Claims

1. A method of navigating aircraft while on the ground comprising:

a) providing at least one tug that will tow aircraft from one location to another within an airport;

b) moving the tug towing an aircraft while providing information of the location and movement of the tug to a central control station;

c) providing information directing movement of the tug from the central control station; and

d) directing movement of the tug in the central control station based upon current location and movement information along with ground control information.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the location and movement of the tug is determined by using a global position system receiver operatively connected to the tug.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising communicating information regarding ground traffic control to a pilot in the aircraft.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising communicating information regarding ground traffic control to an operator of the tug.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein movement of the tug is controlled remotely by the central control station.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein movement of the tug is controlled remotely by a pilot of the aircraft being towed by the tug.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein movement of the tug can be overridden by the central control station.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein movement of the tug can be overridden by a pilot of the aircraft being towed by the tug.

9. A control network for navigating aircraft while on the ground comprising:

a) at least one tug that will tow aircraft to and from a runway for landing and take off that includes;

i) a position locator on the tug that determines the location and movement of the tug as the tug tows the aircraft;

ii) a communication transmitter on the tug that transmits the information of the location and movement of the tug to a central control station; and

b) a central control station that includes;

i) a receiver that receives the information of the location and movement of the tug;

ii) a computer with control logic that tracks the movement of the tug and a user interface for that allows a user to provide instructions for future movement of the tug;

iii) transmitter for transmitting instructions for further movement of the tug that is operatively linked to the computer; and

c) a proximity warning system that alerts the central control station when the tug is too close to another object.

10. The control network of claim 9 wherein the position locator is a global position system receiver operatively connected to the tug.

11. The control network of claim 9 wherein the tug also includes an automatic steering system that is responsive to the instructions for further movement of the tug transmitted from the central control station.

12. The control network of claim 9 wherein the tug also includes an automatic steering system that is responsive to instructions for further movement of the tug transmitted from a remote control unit controlled by the pilot of the aircraft being towed.

13. The control network of claim 9 wherein the tug also includes an override device to stop further movement of the tug.

14. A method of navigating aircraft while on the ground comprising:

a) providing at least one tug that will tow aircraft from one location to another within an airport;

b) moving the tug towing an aircraft while providing information of the location and movement of the tug to a central control station;

c) providing information directing movement of the tug from the central control station; and

d) wherein the location and movement of the tug information is used to provide a proximity warning system that alerts the central control center when the tug is too close to another object.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the location and movement of the tug is determined by using a global position system receiver operatively connected to the tug.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising planning movement of the tug in the central control station based upon current location and movement and information along with ground control information.

17. The method of claim 14, further comprising communicating information regarding ground traffic control to a pilot in the aircraft.

18. The method of claim 14, further comprising communicating information regarding ground traffic control to an operator of the tug.

19. The method of claim 14, wherein movement of the tug is controlled remotely by the central control station.

20. The method of claim 14, movement of the tug is controlled remotely by a pilot of the aircraft being towed by the tug.

21. The method of claim 14, wherein movement of the tug can be overridden by the central control station.

22. The method of claim 14, wherein movement of the tug can be overridden by a pilot of the aircraft being towed by the tug.