Light guidance system for guiding an aircraft service vehicle to a parking position adjacent to an aircraft

US7002488B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• AIRBUS DEUTSCHLAND GMBH · DE

Inventors

• Carsten Kohlmeier-Beckmann · Buxtehude, DE
• Juergen Riekehof-Boehmer · Hamburg, DE
• Lars Rowold · Varel, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 9, 2004
• Grant date: Feb 21, 2006
• Expiry date: Aug 9, 2024

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B64F1/36
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A guidance system guides a driver to drive a service vehicle, such as a baggage loading vehicle, into a prescribed parking position adjacent to an aircraft without colliding with the aircraft. The guidance system includes at least two indicator markers, preferably marker lights, arranged spaced apart from one another on the aircraft. The two markers present a prescribed visual pattern, e.g. an alignment of the two markers, along a line of sight defining a safe approach path. If the driver steers along this safe approach path so that he sees the prescribed visual pattern of the markers, then a collision between the vehicle and the aircraft will be avoided. Alternatively, a projector projects a light pattern such as a projected boundary marker line onto the ground surface adjacent to the aircraft to mark a safe collision-free approach path.