Aircraft towing vehicle having swiveled nose wheel lifter

US4911603A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• KraussMaffei GmbH · DE

Inventors

• Juergen Pollner · Munich, DE
• Gregor Trummer · Aschering, DE
• Peter Moelzer · Markt Indersdorf, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 28, 1988
• Grant date: Mar 27, 1990
• Expiry date: Sep 28, 2008

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B64F1/227
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

An aircraft towing vehicle has a rearwardly opening recess adapted to receive the nose wheel of an aircraft to be towed. A nose wheel lifting and clamping mechanism has two nose wheel lifters which can be pivoted from a retracted position, in which they are parallel to sides of the vehicle frame, into an operative position, in which they extend into the recess for engaging the aircraft nose wheel. The lifters pivot on rocker arms which themselves pivot about a horizontal axis and are power driven by hydraulic actuators. A separate hydraulic swivel drive motor is provided for each lifter. The pressure increase which takes place when the swivel drive reaches the end of its path is used to initiate the delivery of pressurized fluid to the actuator. A crank arm driven by the hydraulic motor is connected to the support for the lifter with a low back pivot, self locking linkage to positively prevent even excessive forces generated during the nose wheel lifting process from unintentionally moving the lifters towards their retracted positions.