Modular adaptive electrical freight loading system

• US 8,925,867 B2
• Filed: 02/04/2010
• Issued: 01/06/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 02/10/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH (Airbus SE)
• Original Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH (Airbus SE)
• Inventors: Hasbach, Volker, Schnrwangen, Bernd
• Primary Examiner(s): Collins, Timothy D
• Assistant Examiner(s): Green, Richard R
• Application Number:
  US13/148,821
• Publication Number:
  US 20110313564A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,797 Days
• Field of Search: 244/137.1, 244/118.1
• US Class Current: 244/137.1
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 27/00 Arrangement of ship-based loading or unloading equipment for cargo or passengers self-discharging barges or lighters B63B35/30; floating cranes B66C23/52
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 27/22 of conveyers, e.g. of endless-belt or screw-type arrangements of devices with throwing action B63B27/26; arrangements of chutes B63B27/28
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 9/00 Equipment for handling freight; Equipment for facilitating passenger embarkation or the like emergency equipment B64D17/00, B64D19/00, B64D25/00; structures integral with fuselage to facilitate loading, fuselage floors specially adapted for freight, steps mounted on and retractable within aircraft B64C; ground installations B64F
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 50/40 Weight reduction

Abstract

A cargo loading system for a means of transport with a power drive unit 201 for moving cargo in a cargo hold of a means of transport and with an operational control unit. The operational control unit is designed for controlling the entire movement of the cargo by means of the power drive unit.

Claims

1. A cargo loading system for a means of transport, with the cargo loading system comprising:

a power drive unit for moving cargo in a cargo hold of the means of transport;

a portable operational control unit;

a control unit for controlling the power drive unit; and

a loading unit for configuring the portable operational control unit;

wherein the portable operational control unit is configured for being coupled to the loading unit;

wherein the portable operational control unit is adapted for being configured for use in different means of transport;

wherein the loading unit is configured for sending information about an operating area for which the portable operational control unit is responsible to the portable operational control unit when the portable operational control unit is coupled to the loading unit to configure the portable operational control unit for the means of transport;

wherein the portable operational control unit is configured to control the entire movement of the cargo by the power drive unit; and

wherein the portable operational control unit is configured to wirelessly transmit commands for controlling the power drive unit to the control unit.

2. The cargo loading system of claim 1, furthermore comprising:

a plurality of power drive units;

wherein the portable operational control unit is configured to control the plurality of power drive units.

3. The cargo loading system of claim 2, wherein the plurality of power drive units provided within the cargo hold are configured to be controlled with one individual portable operational control unit.

4. The cargo loading system of claim 1, wherein the portable operational control unit is movable relative to the cargo hold.

5. The cargo loading system of claim 1, wherein the portable operational control unit is configured to wirelessly transmit commands for controlling the power drive unit to the power drive unit.

6. The cargo loading system of claim 1, further comprising:

a configuration unit;

wherein the configuration unit is configured to be coupled to the portable operational control unit to configure the communication for controlling the power drive unit.

7. The cargo loading system of claim 1,

wherein the control unit is connected to the power drive unit;

and

wherein the control unit is configured to communicate with the portable operational control unit to transmit control commands for the power drive unit.

8. The cargo loading system of claim 1, further comprising:

at least one antenna;

wherein the portable operational control unit is configured to transmit information for the operation of the power drive unit to the at least one antenna;

wherein the at least one antenna is configured to forward the information to the loading unit;

wherein the loading unit is configured to forward the information to the control unit; and

wherein the control unit is configured to forward the information to the power drive unit.

9. The cargo loading system of claim 1, further comprising:

a data bus;

wherein the power drive unit is coupled to the control unit by the data bus.

10. The cargo loading system of claim 9, wherein the data bus is realized in the form of a CAN bus.

11. The cargo loading system of claim 1, wherein the control unit is realized in the form of a central power supply unit for the power supply of the power drive unit.

12. A means of transport with a cargo loading system comprising:

a power drive unit for moving cargo in a cargo hold of a means of transport;

a portable operational control unit;

a control unit for controlling the power drive unit;

a loading unit for configuring the portable operational control unit;

wherein the portable operational control unit is configured for being coupled to the loading unit;

wherein the portable operational control unit is adapted for being configured for use in different means of transport;

wherein the loading unit is configured for sending information about an operating area for which the portable operational control unit is responsible to the portable operational control unit when the portable operational control unit is coupled to the loading unit to configure the portable operational control unit for the means of transport;

wherein the portable operational control unit is configured to control the entire movement of the cargo by the power drive unit; and

wherein the portable operational control unit is configured to wirelessly transmit commands for controlling the power drive unit to the control unit.

13. The means of transport of claim 12, wherein the means of transport is an aircraft.

14. A method for loading a cargo hold of a means of transport with cargo, with the method comprising:

coupling a operational control unit to a loading unit of the means of transport;

sending information regarding an operating area for which the operational control unit is responsible from the loading unit to the operational control unit and thereby configuring the operational control unit for the means of transport;

controlling, by the operational control unit, the power drive unit for moving the cargo, thereby controlling the entire movement of the cargo in the cargo hold of the means of transport; and

wirelessly transmitting commands for controlling the power drive unit to a control unit by the operational control unit;

wherein the operational control unit is adapted for being configured for use in different means of transport.