Patent · US Expired

Electromagnetic aircraft arrestor system

US6758440B1 · kind B1 · utility

25Cited by
4References
19Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 21, 2003
Grant dateJul 6, 2004
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 21, 2023

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB64F1/029
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A system and method for electromagnetically arresting an aircraft landing on an undersized runway, as on an aircraft carrier. The system preferably comprises a cross-deck pendant cable coupled to two purchase cables that are wound around low inertia purchase cable spools on opposite ends. The shafts of the purchase cable spools are mechanically coupled to one or more low inertia induction machines used to arrest the landing aircraft. As the aircraft contacts the cross-deck pendant cable and extends the purchase cables down the runway, power electronics in the system apply a torque based on closed-loop feedback to the induction machine acting as a generator, and the mechanical energy of the aircraft is converted to electrical energy at the generator and is dissipated as heat in an attached resistor. The one or more induction machines are preferably cup-type generators, and the generators may be briefly run as motors to initially reduce the tension on the purchase cables.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.