System and apparatus for determining the center of gravity of an aircraft
US6353793B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 1, 1999 |
| Grant date | Mar 5, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 1, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01M1/125
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method and apparatus for determining the center of gravity of an aircraft having a plurality of wheels includes the steps of determining the load on one of the plurality of aircraft wheels, determining the aircraft inclination with respect to level, relating the wheel load to the aircraft center of gravity based on the aircraft inclination. The load determination may be conducted on the aircraft nose wheel using a lever apparatus including a frame having a forward end and an aft end the aft end including an attachment device located at the aft end for providing detachable engagement with the wheel axle. The lever apparatus also includes a pivot arm having a first end and a second end, the first end pivotally attached to the frame at a pivot point located between the forward end and the aft end of the frame. A load cell is positioned on the frame so as to be engaged by the pivot arm as the pivot arm pivots about the pivot point for generating a signal indicative of the force generated on the frame as the wheel is raised. The lever apparatus operates about a fulcrum point located forward of the frame aft end about which the lever apparatus raises the aircraft wheel. A processor may…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.