Automatically retracting passenger loading bridge

• US 20030145403A1
• Filed: 01/30/2003
• Published: 08/07/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/01/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ameribridge, LLC
• Original Assignee: DEW Engineering and Development Limited (Trelleborg AB)
• Inventors: Hutton, Neil
• Granted Patent: US 6,698,051 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• 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 relative to a door of an aircraft comprising:

a retraction initiator for providing a control signal indicative of a passenger loading bridge retraction request prior to the aircraft moving substantially from a parking location adjacent the passenger loading bridge;

a bridge controller in operative communication with the retraction initiator for receiving the control signal therefrom, for determining a first movement for moving the passenger loading bridge from a first position in which a cabin end of the passenger loading bridge is mated with the door of the aircraft toward a second position in which the cabin end of the passenger loading bridge is other than mated with the door of the aircraft, and for providing a second signal indicative of the first movement; and

,

a bridge actuator in operative communication with the bridge controller for receiving the second signal therefrom and for automatically performing the first movement of the passenger loading bridge.

2. A system according to claim 1, comprising a safety sensor in operative communication with the bridge actuator, disposed for sensing individuals within the passenger loading bridge, and for providing a safety sensor signal in dependence thereon indicative of one of unauthorized individuals within a predetermined area of the passenger loading bridge and of other than unauthorized individuals within a predetermined area of the passenger loading bridge, and wherein the bridge actuator is for actuating the passenger loading bridge upon the safety sensor signal.

3. A system according to claim 2, wherein the bridge controller comprises a processor for determining a damage potential of the first movement based on the safety sensor signal and for performing one of the first movement and another action in dependence upon the damage potential.

4. A system according to claim 1, comprising a motion sensor in operative communication with the bridge actuator, the motion sensor disposed for sensing a movement of the aircraft from the parking location and for providing a motion sensor signal in dependence thereon.

5. A system according to claim 4, wherein the bridge controller comprises a processor for determining the first movement based on the motion sensor signal.

6. A system according to claim 1, comprising a sensor disposed for sensing objects along a path of the determined movement and for providing a sensor signal to the bridge actuator in dependence upon the sensed objects, and wherein the bridge actuator is in operative communication with the sensor.

7. A system according to claim 6, wherein the bridge controller comprises a processor for determining the first movement based on the sensor signal.

8. A system according to claim 1, comprising a door sensor for detecting a state of the door of the aircraft and for providing a door signal based thereon to the retraction initiator, and wherein the retraction initiator provides a control signal indicative of a passenger loading bridge retraction request in dependence upon the door signal.

9. A system according to claim 1, comprising a door sensor for detecting a state of the door of the aircraft and for providing a door signal based thereon to the bridge controller, wherein the bridge controller is in operative communication with the door sensor such that in use when the door is moved to a closed state, the bridge controller determines a movement for moving the passenger loading bridge from the first position toward the second position and sends the second signal to the bridge actuator.

10. A system according to claim 1, comprising a door sensor for detecting a state of the door of the aircraft and for providing a door signal based thereon to the bridge controller, and wherein the bridge controller comprises a processor for processing the door signal to determine an action in response to the door signal, a potential action being providing a signal for initiating automatic securing of the passenger loading bridge cabin end.

11. A system according to claim 1, wherein the retraction initiator comprises a security transducer for receiving authentication information, for authenticating the authentication information, and for providing the control signal indicative of a passenger loading bridge retraction request in dependence upon the information being authenticated.

12. A system according to claim 11, wherein the security transducer includes a biometric sensor for sensing biometric information of an individual and wherein the authorization information includes sensed biometric information.

13. A system according to claim 11, comprising a plurality of safety sensors for providing sensed data, wherein the second signal is provided after an authentication of the passenger loading bridge retraction request and after the safety sensors have returned data within a predetermined range.

14. A system according to claim 1, wherein the retraction initiator comprises a security transducer for receiving a request information and for providing the control signal indicative of a passenger loading bridge retraction request in dependence upon the received request.

15. A system according to claim 14, comprising a plurality of motion sensors for providing sensed data, wherein the second signal is provided after the control signal indicative of a passenger loading bridge retraction request and when the sensed data is within a predetermined range.

16. A system according to claim 14, comprising a door sensor disposed for sensing a state of the aircraft door and for providing sensed data, wherein the second signal is provided after the control signal indicative of a passenger loading bridge retraction request and after the door sensor has returned data indicative of a closed aircraft door.

17. A system according to claim 1, wherein the retraction initiator includes a security input port for receiving an authentication token, for authenticating the authentication token, and for providing the control signal in dependence upon the authentication token being authenticated.

18. A system according to claim 17, wherein the security input port comprises a smart card reader for receiving a smart card having encoded authentication information stored thereon and wherein the token is a smart card.

19. A system according to claim 17, wherein the security input port comprises a magnetic media reader for receiving the token having authentication information encoded magnetically thereon.

20. A system according to claim 1, comprising a retraction warning signal generator in communication with the bridge controller for receiving the second signal therefrom, and for providing a warning signal at a time before or substantially coincident with the first movement of the passenger loading bridge.

21. 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.

22. A system according to claim 21 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.

23. A system according to claim 22, 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.

24. A system according to claim 21, 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.

25. A system according to claim 21, 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.

26. A system according to claim 21, 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.

27. A system according to claim 21, 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.

28. A system according to claim 21, 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.

29. A system according to claim 22, 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.

30. A system according to claim 29, 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.

31. A system according to claim 22, 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.

32. A method of retracting a passenger loading bridge from an engaged position relative to an aircraft having a door comprising the steps of:

a) receiving data indicative of a passenger loading bridge retraction request while the bridge is engaged to the aircraft and prior to the aircraft moving substantially from an engaged position to a second position other than an engaged position;

b) determining a retraction movement for moving the passenger loading bridge toward the second position; and

,

c) automatically performing the determined retraction movement of the passenger loading bridge.

33. A method according to claim 32, wherein the step of receiving data indicative of a passenger loading bridge retraction request, comprises the steps of:

a1) receiving data from at least a sensor; and

,

a2) determining an action in correspondence with the data received from the at least a sensor.

34. A method according to claim 32, comprising the steps prior to step c) of:

b1) providing a retraction warning signal; and

,

b2) automatically disconnecting a supply conduit from the aircraft.

35. A method according to claim 32, wherein the step of disconnecting the supply conduit comprises the steps of:

i) interrupting a provision of a service to the aircraft; and

,

ii) releasing the supply conduit from the aircraft in a manner that substantially restricts damage to the aircraft.

36. A method according to claim 32, comprising the step prior to step c) of providing a human sensable retraction warning signal.

37. A method according to claim 32, wherein the data indicative of a passenger loading bridge retraction request is provided by an individual via a data input device.

38. A method according to claim 37, comprising the steps of:

providing authentication information to the data input device;

authenticating the authentication information, and

authorizing the retraction movement of the passenger loading bridge in dependence upon the authentication information being authenticated.

39. A method according to claim 38, wherein the authentication information comprises biometric information of an individual.

40. A method according to claim 32, comprising the steps of:

d) sensing an occupant of the passenger loading bridge during the retraction movement; and

,

e) when an occupant of the passenger loading bridge is sensed, delaying the retraction movement once the passenger loading bridge engaging end is a safe distance from the aircraft.

41. A method according to claim 32, comprising the steps of:

d) sensing an obstruction to the passenger loading bridge prior to a retraction movement; and

,

e) when an obstruction is sensed, delaying the retraction movement.

42. A method according to claim 32, comprising the steps of:

d) sensing a movement of the aircraft from a parked position; and

,

e) when a movement of the aircraft from the parked position is sensed, automatically securing a cabin end of the passenger loading bridge.

43. A method according to claim 32, comprising the steps of:

d) sensing a movement of the aircraft from a parked position; and

,

e) when a movement of the aircraft from the parked position is sensed, automatically initiating a retraction of the passenger loading bridge.

44. A method according to claim 32, comprising the steps of:

d) sensing a state of the door of the aircraft; and

e) when a movement of the door to a closed state is sensed, automatically initiating a retraction of the passenger loading bridge.

45. A method according to claim 32, comprising the steps of:

sensing a plurality of sensible parameters relating to the passenger loading bridge and its environs to provide sensor data;

determining a plurality of potential risks based on the sensor data; and

,

determining one of a retraction movement and a delay of movement for minimizing the overall damage resulting from performing the one of a retraction movement and a delay of movement over other one of a retraction movement and a delay of movement

46. A method according to claim 45, wherein the sensor data includes data relating to each of passengers within the passenger loading bridge, aircraft motion from the parked position, a state of the door of the aircraft and obstacles within a path of movement the passenger loading bridge.

47. A method according to claim 45, wherein the sensor data includes data relating to each of passengers within the passenger loading bridge and a state of the door of the aircraft.