Abrégé

A controllable aircraft taxi system is provided that enables the simultaneous control of aircraft autonomous ground movement and direction of aircraft autonomous ground movement. Independently controlled non-engine drive means capable of driving an aircraft landing gear wheel (15) to move an aircraft (10) autonomously on the ground without reliance on the aircraft's main engines are mounted to provide driving torque to aircraft a selected number of main landing gear wheels (15). The aircraft nose landing gear steering system is provided with steering angle detection and measurement means adapted to communicate with main landing gear wheel non-engine drive means, enabling simultaneous control over both autonomous aircraft ground travel and direction of autonomous aircraft ground travel. The present invention overcomes steering challenges presented by using non-engine drive means on main landing gear wheels (15) to drive aircraft (10) autonomously during taxi.

Classes IPC  ?

• B64C 25/40 - Trains d'atterrissage caractérisés par les éléments de contact avec le sol ou une surface analogue un mouvement rotatif étant communiqué aux éléments avant l'impact
• B64C 25/48 - Mécanismes d'actionnement à fonctionnement différentiel aux fins de gouverner
• B64C 25/50 - Atterrisseurs orientablesAmortissement du shimmy
• B64C 25/34 - Trains d'atterrissage caractérisés par les éléments de contact avec le sol ou une surface analogue du type à roues, p. ex. bogies à roues multiples

Abrégé

An electric connector assembly is provided that is designed to provide a simple and reliable electric connection between a source of electric power on an aircraft and a plurality of electrical connections, such as those from stator windings, in an electric drive means powering an aircraft landing gear drive wheel. The plurality of drive means electrical connections are individually connected to power distribution elements designed to significantly reduce the number of connectors required to establish an electrical connection between the drive means and an aircraft power supply. The reduced number of connectors is directed out of the wheel and guided along a path by a path guide element to a connector element designed to connect directly with a wire harness or other connection with an aircraft source of electric power. This electric connector design facilitates disconnection and reconnection when removal and remounting of the drive wheel is required.

Classes IPC  ?

• H02K 5/22 - Parties auxiliaires des enveloppes non couvertes par les groupes , p. ex. façonnées pour former des boîtes à connexions ou à bornes
• H02K 13/02 - Connexions entre les bagues collectrices et les enroulements
• H02K 13/04 - Connexions entre les segments du collecteur et les enroulements

Abrégé

A bearing arrangement for an aircraft landing gear wheel is provided that effectively supports the wheel on an axle while maximizing internal wheel volume available for mounting non- engine drive means used to power the wheel and/or brakes or other structures within the maximized wheel volume. The bearing arrangement is preferably employed with a two-part aircraft wheel mounted on a landing gear axle and includes bearing structures located only on wheel sections adjacent to the axle. A specifically configured cantilevered joint portion of inboard and outboard wheel sections supports weight and loads bearing structures, eliminating the need for and space required by a high speed bearing. Stiffness necessary for strength and structural integrity is provided by the materials selected to form the wheel sections.

Classes IPC  ?

• B60B 19/06 - Roues non prévues ailleurs ou ayant des caractéristiques précisées dans l'un des sous-groupes du présent groupe avec des compartiments pour liquides, ou pour matériaux de remplissage ou de chargeRoues flottantes
• B60B 37/10 - Combinaisons roue-essieu, p. ex. trains de roues les roues pouvant tourner individuellement chacune autour des essieux
• B64C 25/40 - Trains d'atterrissage caractérisés par les éléments de contact avec le sol ou une surface analogue un mouvement rotatif étant communiqué aux éléments avant l'impact

Abrégé

A method is provided for improving overall air quality at airports during ground operations that includes providing a plurality of aircraft landing and taking off from an airport with onboard drive means controllable to move the aircraft on the ground without reliance on aircraft main engines or external tow vehicles while significantly minimizing operating time of aircraft engines after landing and/or prior to takeoff. As the number of aircraft equipped with onboard drive means for ground movement increases, levels of undesirable engine exhaust components in airport exterior ambient air, in airport ground facilities interior air, and in geographical areas surrounding the airport decrease as a result of the replacement of both the aircraft engines and the operation of external tow vehicles by the onboard drive means. Aircraft engines are not started until the aircraft reaches a takeoff runway where engine exhaust emissions are more readily dissipated by the taxiing aircraft.

Classes IPC  ?

• B64C 25/50 - Atterrisseurs orientablesAmortissement du shimmy

Abrégé

A system and method are provided for generating electric power from relatively low temperature energy sources at efficiency levels not previously available. The present system and method employ recent advances in low energy nuclear reaction technology and thermionic/thermotunneling device technology first to generate heat and then to convert a substantial portion of the heat generated to usable electrical power. Heat may be generated by a LENR system employing nuclear reactions that occur in readily available materials at ambient temperatures without a high energy input requirement and do not produce radioactive byproducts. The heat generated by the LENR system may be transferred through one or more thermionic converter devices in heat transfer relationship with the LENR system to generate electric power.

Classes IPC  ?

• G21C 3/40 - Combinaison structurelle d'un élément combustible avec un élément thermo-électrique pour la production directe d'énergie électrique à partir de la chaleur de fission

Abrégé

A wheel testing system and method are provided that simulates realistically conditions likely to be encountered during operation of vehicle wheels, especially powered drive wheels and wheel-connected structures. The system may include an integral support frame designed to adjustably mount wheels or wheel-connected structures to be tested, a load motor drivingly connected to an inertial load, and an adjustable mounting sled configured to adjustably mount a test wheel or a wheel-connected structure with an hydraulic system actuatable to adjust the location of the test wheel relative to the inertial load to vary or fix the load on the test wheel desired. Speed of the test wheel can be varied or fixed by controlling the speed of the load motor. System measurement and data collection electronics measure a range of selected wheel parameters and gather data for transmission to a processor or non-transitory storage medium for processing and evaluation.

Classes IPC  ?

• G01M 17/00 - Test des véhicules
• G01L 3/00 - Mesure du couple, du travail, de la puissance ou du rendement mécanique en général

Abrégé

A split circumference wheel assembly is provided for an aircraft landing gear wheel configured to maximize the space available within a landing gear wheel well to support a motor driver assembly with drive means that drives the aircraft wheel on the ground. The split circumference wheel assembly includes separable inboard and outboard support walls that are spaced axially apart a maximized distance so that the motor driver assembly is completely contained within the maximized space defined. A preferred wheel assembly employs a demountable flange and a locking ring to integrally and removably support the motor driver assembly within the maximized wheel volume to drive one or more aircraft wheels and move the aircraft independently on the ground. The wheel and motor driver assembly described herein are designed to be retrofitted in an existing aircraft wheel.

Classes IPC  ?

• B64C 25/36 - Aménagements ou adaptations des roues, des pneumatiques ou des essieux

Abrégé

A method for improving airport and ramp throughput is provided. The method minimizes the time interval between an aircraft's landing and takeoff by independently moving the aircraft with an onboard electric driver that drives at least one of the aircraft's wheels on the ground without the aircraft's engines. Turnaround time and aircraft idle time are reduced by eliminating engine operation while the aircraft is moving in the ramp area. The time between when an aircraft is not moving between pushback and taxi forward is substantially eliminated, leading to more efficient ramp operations as ramp space is freed for through traffic.

Classes IPC  ?

• B64C 25/32 - Trains d'atterrissage caractérisés par les éléments de contact avec le sol ou une surface analogue

Abrégé

A compact in-wheel vehicle motor and gearing system designed to meet high power and torque requirements for driving a vehicle on the ground independently of other power sources is provided. The motor and gearing system includes a motor assembly with an outside rotor element mounted for rotation about an inside stator element and a gear assembly with a plurality of gear stages mounted inside the stator and drivingly connected to the motor assembly. The motor assembly and gear assembly are mounted interiorly of the wheel and completely within a space defined by the internal dimensions of the wheel. This motor and gearing system can be effectively installed in an existing aircraft wheel without changes to other components to produce a drive wheel with the torque and power required to move the aircraft independently on the ground.

Classes IPC  ?

• B64C 25/36 - Aménagements ou adaptations des roues, des pneumatiques ou des essieux

Abrégé

A wheel design with heat management capability is provided for an aircraft landing gear wheel that is specifically configured to maximize the space available within a landing gear wheel well to support a geared motor assembly that drives the aircraft wheel when the aircraft is on the ground. A thermal interface between the geared motor assembly and a support wall effectively directs heat generated by brakes, motor, or gear components through the wheel ultimately to be shed entirely outside the aircraft to prevent damage to the wheel and motor components. The heat dissipating wheel and motor driver assembly described herein may be retrofitted in an existing aircraft wheel without changing existing landing gear components, including tires, piston, and axle.

Classes IPC  ?

• H02K 9/00 - Dispositions de refroidissement ou de ventilation

Abrégé

A wheel design is provided for an aircraft landing gear wheel that is configured to maximize the space available within a landing gear wheel well to support a motor driver assembly that drives the aircraft wheel when the aircraft is on the ground. The wheel includes inboard and outboard support walls that are spaced apart a selected distance along the wheel axle so that the motor driver assembly components are substantially completely contained within the wheel space defined by the support walls i The preferred motor driver assembly includes an electric motor and a gear and clutch assembly operatively connected to the wheel to drive the wheel and move the aircraft on the ground. The wheel and motor driver assembly described herein may be retrofitted in an existing aircraft wheel without changing existing landing gear components, including tires, piston, and axle.

Classes IPC  ?

• B64C 25/36 - Aménagements ou adaptations des roues, des pneumatiques ou des essieux

Abrégé

A method for reducing the amount of fuel required to be carried in flight by an aircraft is provided that substantially reduces the taxi margin amount of fuel required by an aircraft, thereby reducing the aircraft's weight and producing significant increases in fuel use efficiency and savings in fuel costs. The substantially reduced taxi margin amount of fuel is produced by equipping an aircraft with at least one drive wheel powered by at least one onboard drive means that cooperatively drive the aircraft on the ground during taxi between takeoff and landing without reliance on the operation of the aircraft main engines.

Classes IPC  ?

• B64C 25/50 - Atterrisseurs orientablesAmortissement du shimmy

Abrégé

A method for reducing aircraft turnaround time by improving airport ramp safety is provided. The method minimizes the time interval between an aircraft's landing and takeoff by independently moving the aircraft on the ground without the aircraft's engines by eliminating hazards from jet blast, the possibility of engine ingestion, and the time previously required to wait in the gate area upon arrival or at departure until jet blast or engine ingestion did not pose a danger. Turnaround time is further reduced by providing an on board driver controllable to drive at least one of the aircraft's wheels between landing and takeoff, thereby eliminating the need for a tow vehicle and the time required to move the aircraft with a tow vehicle.

Classes IPC  ?

• B64C 25/50 - Atterrisseurs orientablesAmortissement du shimmy

Abrégé

A powered self push back method and system for an aircraft are provided to move an aircraft on the ground safely during push back without assistance from an external tug vehicle or the aircraft main engines. The method employs constant cooperative communication and signals between the pilot and the ground crew during the push back process. The powered self push back system used in conjunction with this method includes at least one powered self-propelled aircraft drive wheel powered by a wheel drive assembly that can be activated by pilot inputcontrols or by remote control exteriorly of or interiorly to the aircraft in response to ground crew signals to activate the driver to rotate the drive wheel in a reverse, push back direction, causing the aircraft to move in the push back direction or in a forward direction for taxi and takeoff in accordance with activation of the controls.

Classes IPC  ?

• B64C 25/50 - Atterrisseurs orientablesAmortissement du shimmy

Abrégé

A failsafe system and method for ensuring the safe operation of an aircraft with a ground movement system to drive the aircraft independently on the ground is provided. The system includes at least one aircraft nose or main drive wheel powered by an onboard wheel driver responsive to sensed aircraft and ground movement system operating parameters to continue operation in response to parameters within normal limits or to prevent continued operation if sensed parameters are outside normal limits and indicate continued operation to be unsafe. The onboard wheel driver includes a locking assembly responsive automatically or manually to signals indicating sensed parameters to lock the onboard wheel driver in an activated or an inactivated condition, depending on whether operation of the ground movement system can be continued safely.

Classes IPC  ?

• B64C 25/50 - Atterrisseurs orientablesAmortissement du shimmy

Abrégé

An aircraft ground control system that moves an aircraft on the ground between landing and take off without external mechanical assistance from airport tugs or tow vehicles or reliance on thrust produced by the aircraft's engines is provided. The aircraft ground control system interfaces only with an aircraft auxiliary power unit or other aircraft power supply, but otherwise operates independently of aircraft systems. A system integrator and controller links cockpit controls designed to actuate the transmission of power to system components and to activate system components only under predetermined conditions with selectively activatable drivers in driving connection with one or more aircraft wheels to move the aircraft on the ground at selected torgues and speeds.

Classes IPC  ?

• B64C 25/50 - Atterrisseurs orientablesAmortissement du shimmy