System and method for transferring airplanes

• US 9,403,604 B2
• Filed: 09/21/2011
• Issued: 08/02/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Israel Aerospace Industries Limited (Government of Israel)
• Original Assignee: Israel Aerospace Industries Limited (Government of Israel)
• Inventors: Perry, Arie, Braier, Ran
• Primary Examiner(s): Xavier, Valentina
• Application Number:
  US13/238,636
• Publication Number:
  US 20120061521A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,777 Days
• Field of Search: 244/50, 244/70, 244/189, 244/427, 414/426
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B64F 1/227 for direct connection to aircraft, e.g. tow tractors without towing bars
• CPC Class Codes: B64F 1/228 remotely controlled; operating autonomously
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 50/80 Energy efficient operational measures, e.g. ground operations or mission management

Abstract

An airplane transfer system for transferring an airplane comprising an airplane control component. The system comprises: a transfer module comprising at least one motor and adapted to transfer an airplane; and a controller coupled to the transfer module and configured to: i) receive a at least one transfer signal that is responsive to one or more commands provided via the airplane control component; and ii) control the transfer module in response to the transfer signal, wherein the commands are a priori capable of controlling the airplane or components thereof.

Claims

1. An airplane transfer system for transferring an airplane comprising an airplane control component, said system comprising:

(a) a transfer module comprising at least one motor and adapted to transfer an airplane, when the transfer module is driven by said at least one motor; and

(b) a controller coupled to the transfer module and configured to;

i) receive at least one transfer signal that is responsive to one or more commands provided via said airplane control component; and

ii) control the transfer module in response to the at least one transfer signal, wherein said one or more commands are a priori capable of controlling the airplane or components thereof;

wherein said airplane control component includes a steering component;

wherein said controller is configured to control steering of said transfer module in response to said at least one transfer signal which is responsive to steering commands generated by said steering component of said airplane.

2. The airplane transfer system according to claim 1, wherein said airplane comprise an electric control system configured to generate said at least one transfer signal, and said controller is configured for receiving said at least one transfer signal from said electric control system of said airplane via an electric communication path.

3. The airplane transfer system according to claim 2, wherein said airplane comprises an airplane connector in electrical communication with said electric control system and said airplane transfer system further comprises a transfer system connector in electrical communication with said controller, configured for being further electrically connected to said airplane connector so as to define said electric communication path.

4. The airplane transfer system according to claim 3, wherein said transfer system connector is configured for being mechanically coupled to said airplane connector for providing the electric connection therebetween.

5. The airplane transfer system according to claim 4, wherein said electric communication path is provided by an electric cable.

6. The airplane transfer system according to claim 1, wherein said airplane comprises a landing gear and said transfer system comprises a landing gear holder adapted to firmly grip said landing gear of the airplane, said landing gear holder being pivotally coupled to said structural element of the airplane transfer system so that said control of the transfer module in response to the at least one transfer signal is responsive to steering induced movement of the landing gear holder resulting from at least one steering command provided via said airplane control component.

17. The airplane transfer system according to claim 1, wherein said steering component includes a steering wheel.

7. An airplane transfer system for transferring an airplane comprising an airplane control component and an electric control system configured to generate one or more transfer signals responsive to one or more commands provided from said airplane control component, said airplane transfer system comprising:

(a) a transfer module comprising at least one motor and adapted to transfer an airplane, when the transfer module is driven by said at least one motor; and

(b) a controller coupled to the transfer module and configured to;

i) be connected to said electric control system, so as to provide an electric communication path;

ii) receive said one or more transfer signals via said electric communication path; and

iii) control the transfer module in response to the one or more transfer signals, wherein said one or more commands are a priori capable of controlling the airplane or components thereof via said electric control system;

wherein said airplane control component includes a steering component;

wherein said controller is configured to control steering of said transfer module in response to said one or more transfer signals which is responsive to steering commands generated by said steering component of said airplane.

8. The airplane transfer system according to claim 7, wherein said airplane comprises an airplane connector in electrical communication with said electric control system and said airplane transfer system further comprises a transfer system connector in electrical communication with said controller, configured for being further electrically connected to said airplane connector so as to define said electric communication path.

9. The airplane transfer system according to claim 8, wherein said electric communication path is provided by an electric cable.

10. The airplane transfer system according to claim 8, wherein said electric communication path between said airplane connector and said transfer system connecter is provided by wireless means.

11. The airplane transfer system according to claim 7, wherein said airplane comprises a landing gear and said transfer system comprises a landing gear holder adapted to firmly grip said landing gear of the airplane, said landing gear holder being pivotally coupled to said structural element of the airplane transfer system so that said control of the transfer module in response to the one or more transfer signals is responsive to steering induced movement of the landing gear holder resulting from at least one steering command provided via said airplane control component.

12. The airplane transfer system according to claim 7, wherein said airplane comprises an audio link disposed at a landing gear of the airplane, said audio link is in electrical communication with said electric control system and said airplane transfer system further comprises a transfer system connector in electrical communication with said controller, configured for being further electrically connected to said audio link so as to define said electric communication path.

13. The airplane transfer system according to claim 7, wherein said airplane comprises an electrical cable being electrically connected to said electric control system for transferring said one or more transfer signals, and said airplane transfer system further comprises a transfer system connector in electrical communication with said controller, configured for being electrically connected to said electrical cable so as to define said electric communication path.

14. The airplane transfer system according to claim 13, wherein said transfer system connector is an insulation piercing connector configured to penetrate insulation of said electric cable, thereby defining said electric communication path.

15. The airplane transfer system according to claim 7, wherein said airplane control component is a steering wheel, and said controller is configured to control steering of said transfer module in response to said one or more transfer signals which is responsive to steering commands generated by said steering wheel of said airplane.

18. The airplane transfer system according to claim 7, wherein said steering component includes a steering wheel.

16. An airplane transfer system for transferring an airplane, said airplane comprising a plurality of wheels;

at least one mechanical system configured for operating at least one of said plurality of wheels, at least one airplane control component configured to issue one or more commands, and an electronic control system comprising;

a control interface configured to convert the one or more commands to transfer signals;

a component interface associated the at least one mechanical system and configured to receive the electrical signals and control its associated mechanical system based thereon; and

a plurality of electric cables in electrical communication with the control interface and the component interfaces and being configured for carrying the transfer signal therebetween;

said airplane transfer system comprising;

(a) a transfer module comprising at least one motor and adapted to transfer the airplane, when the transfer module is driven by said at least one motor; and

(b) a controller coupled to the transfer module and configured to;

i) be connected to said electric control system, so as to provide an electric communication path;

ii) receive said transfer signals via said electric communication path; and

iii) control the transfer module in response to the transfer signals, wherein said commands are a priori capable of controlling the airplane or components thereof via said electric control system;

wherein said at least one airplane control component includes a steering component;

wherein said controller is configured to control steering of said transfer module in response to said transfer signals which is responsive to steering commands generated by said steering component of said airplane.

19. The airplane transfer system according to claim 16, wherein said steering component includes a steering wheel.