Turnout protection for aircraft tractor

US5516252A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• KraussMaffei GmbH · DE

Inventors

• Erwin Francke · Puchheim, DE
• Peter Molzer

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 24, 1994
• Grant date: May 14, 1996
• Expiry date: Feb 24, 2014

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10S180/904
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

An aircraft extending along a longitudinal aircraft axis and having a nose wheel pivotal about an upright wheel axis can be maneuvered by a tractor extending along a longitudinal tractor axis and adapted to engage the nose wheel of the aircraft. The tractor and aircraft axes can extend at an angle to each other that should not exceed a predetermined maximum turnout angle. A turnout protection system has structure on the aircraft that is directed generally perpendicular of the aircraft axis and that is only directed toward the tractor when the aircraft and tractor axes extend generally at the maximum turnout angle relative to each other. At least one electronic sensor on the tractor directed toward the aircraft detects the structure when the aircraft and tractor axes extend generally at the maximum turnout angle relative to each other. A controller on the tractor takes action, e.g. emits an alarm or takes over the tractor steering and/or braking, when the electronic sensor detects that the aircraft and tractor axes extend generally at the maximum turnout angle relative to each other.