Automatically retracting passenger loading bridge

• US 6,698,051 B2
• Filed: 01/30/2003
• Issued: 03/02/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/01/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ameribridge, LLC
• Original Assignee: DEW Engineering and Development Limited (Trelleborg AB)
• Inventors: Hutton, Neil
• Primary Examiner(s): Hartmann, Gary S.
• Application Number:
  US10/354,053
• Publication Number:
  US 20030145403A1
• Time in Patent Office: 397 Days
• Field of Search: 14/695, 14/711, 14/713, 14/715, 701/1
• US Class Current: 14/71.5
• CPC Class Codes: B64F 1/305 Bridges extending between terminal building and aircraft, e.g. telescopic, vertically adjustable

Abstract

A system for automatically retracting a passenger loading bridge from an engaged position relative to an aircraft having a door, the aircraft being releasably connectable to a service provider is disclosed. The system comprising at least a sensor for detecting one of a plurality of predetermined events other than a user input at an input device coupled thereto and for providing a signal in dependence upon said detected predetermined events; and a bridge actuator in operative communication with the at least a sensor for receiving the signal and for automatically performing a retraction movement in order to retract the bridge from the aircraft in response to the signal indicative of one of the plurality of predetermined events being sensed.

Claims

1. A system for automatically retracting a passenger loading bridge from an engaged position relative to an aircraft having a door, the aircraft being releasably connectable to a supply conduit, the system comprising:

at least a sensor for detecting one of a plurality of predetermined events other than a user input at an input device coupled thereto and for providing a signal in dependence upon said detected predetermined events; and

,

a bridge actuator in operative communication with the at least a sensor for receiving the signal and for automatically performing a retraction movement in order to retract the bridge from the aircraft in response to the signal indicative of one of the plurality of predetermined events being sensed.

2. A system according to claim 1 comprising a transmitter in operative communication with the bridge actuator for receiving an actuation signal therefrom and for providing a second signal for initiating disconnection of the supply conduit from the aircraft.

3. A system according to claim 2, wherein the supply conduit includes a shut-off actuator for receiving the second signal from the transmitter, and for interrupting a provision of a service before or substantially coincident to a time of initiating the disconnection of the supply conduit from the aircraft.

4. A system according to claim 2, comprising a retraction warning signal generator in communication with the transmitter for receiving the second signal therefrom, and for providing a warming signal at a time before or substantially coincident with the retraction movement of the passenger loading bridge.

5. A system according to claim 4, wherein the retraction warning signal generator comprises at least one of a speaker for providing an acoustic warning signal and a light for providing a visual warning signal.

6. A system according to claim 2, comprising barricade means in communication with the transmitter for receiving the second signal, the barricade means moveable to a position for obstructing a cabin end of the passenger loading bridge during the retraction movement.

7. A system according to claim 1, wherein the at least a sensor comprises a safety sensor disposed for sensing individuals within the passenger loading bridge, and wherein a predetermined event includes actuation motion of the passenger loading bridge upon receiving a signal generated by the safety sensor indicative of one of an emptiness of the passenger loading bridge and of other than unauthorized individuals within a predetermined area of the passenger loading bridge.

8. A system according to claim 1, wherein the at least a sensor comprises a motion sensor disposed for sensing a movement of the aircraft from the engaged position and wherein a predetermined event includes retraction movement of the aircraft from the engaged position.

9. A system according to claim 1, comprises an actuator for automatically securing a passenger loading bridge cabin end mating with the door of the aircraft and wherein an action in response to the signal indicative of one of the plurality of predetermined events being sensed is to automatically secure a passenger loading bridge cabin end mating with the door of the aircraft.

10. A system according to claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises a sensor disposed for sensing objects along a path of the movement of the passenger loading bridge, and wherein an action, when an object is sensed, is to automatically delay the retraction movement of the passenger loading bridge.

11. A system according to claim 1, wherein the at least a sensor comprises a door sensor for detecting a state of the door of the aircraft, such that when the door is moved to a closed state the sensor provides a sensor signal indicative of a change in the aircraft door state to the bridge actuator, and an action, when a change in the aircraft door state is sensed, is to automatically initiating the retraction movement of the passenger loading bridge from the engaged position toward another position wherein a cabin end of the passenger loading bridge is other than mating with the aircraft door.