Pneumatically actuated freight loading system for an aircraft
US6695555B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 20, 2000 |
| Grant date | Feb 24, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 6, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02T50/40
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A freight loading system for an aircraft includes roller drive units for transporting freight load units such as containers or pallets or the like, latching units for latching the freight load units, and control units for operating the drive units and/or the latching units. At least one of the roller drive units and the latching units is embodied as a pneumatically operated component including a pneumatic actuator. Pressurized air is supplied to the pneumatic components through a pressurized air line system. A pneumatic controller provides pneumatic control signals through pneumatic lines to the pneumatic components to achieve a purely pneumatic system, or an electric controller provides electric control signals over electric conductors to control valves for the pneumatic components to achieve a hybrid electro-pneumatic system. The sparking, overloading, and fire hazard problems of fully electric systems are avoided, and the weight, cost, and maintenance are reduced.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.