Communication system from airport gate to cockpit
First Claim
1. An apparatus for visually communicating to a pilot in the cockpit of an aircraft parked at an airport gate regarding a status of a preconditioned air unit associated with the gate comprising:
- an electrically controlled PCA indicator box positioned at the gate so that the message of the PCA indicator box is visible to the pilot in the cockpit;
the PCA indicator box having a first appearance when the preconditioned air unit is not operating; and
the PCA indicator box having a second appearance when the preconditioned air unit is operating.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus for visually communicating to a pilot in the cockpit of a parked aircraft the status of a preconditioned air (PCA) unit associated with the gate has an electrically controlled PCA indicator box positioned so that it is visible to the pilot in the cockpit. The PCA indicator box has a first appearance when the preconditioned air unit is not operating and a second appearance when the preconditioned air unit is operating. A method of assisting aircraft operators to reduce fuel costs and emissions of an aircraft parked at a gate includes mounting to the gate an electrical PCA indicator and electrically coupling it to a preconditioned air unit at the gate.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. An apparatus for visually communicating to a pilot in the cockpit of an aircraft parked at an airport gate regarding a status of a preconditioned air unit associated with the gate comprising:
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an electrically controlled PCA indicator box positioned at the gate so that the message of the PCA indicator box is visible to the pilot in the cockpit; the PCA indicator box having a first appearance when the preconditioned air unit is not operating; and the PCA indicator box having a second appearance when the preconditioned air unit is operating. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of assisting aircraft operators to reduce fuel costs and emissions of an aircraft parked at a gate comprising:
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mounting to the gate in a position that will be in view from a cockpit of the aircraft an electrical PCA indicator having a first appearance when the electrical PCA indicator is not operating, and a second appearance when the electrical PCA indicator is operating; electrically coupling the electrical PCA indicator to a preconditioned air unit at the gate so that when the preconditioned air unit is not operating the first appearance is visible, and when it is operating the second appearance is visible. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification