Title: Device for servicing an aircraft on the ground
Abstract: A device for servicing an aircraft on the ground includes a rolling support and a cable or hose assembly having a first end for connection to a ground unit and an opposite second end for connection to the aircraft. A reel is rotatably mounted on the rolling support on which the cable or hose assembly is wound, and from which the cable or hose assembly can be unwound from the first end. A flight of stairs is also mounted on the rolling support.
Patent Number: 6,923,214 Issued on 08/02/2005 to Widegren
| Inventors:
|
Widegren; Michael (Oberursel, DE)
|
| Assignee:
|
Ipalco B.V. (Alblasserdam, NL)
|
| Appl. No.:
|
481292 |
| Filed:
|
June 19, 2002 |
| PCT Filed:
|
June 19, 2002
|
| PCT NO:
|
PCT/EP02/06782
|
| 371 Date:
|
May 19, 2004
|
| 102(e) Date:
|
May 19, 2004
|
| PCT PUB.NO.:
|
WO03/00054 |
| PCT PUB. Date:
|
January 3, 2003 |
Foreign Application Priority Data
| Current U.S. Class: |
137/899.2; 137/355.26; 212/324; 182/194; 182/324 |
| Intern'l Class: |
A01G 025/09 |
| Field of Search: |
137/35516,355.26,899.2,355.12
212/324
182/194,222
|
References Cited [Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
| 2531001 | Nov., 1950 | Short.
| |
| 2876963 | Mar., 1959 | Se Legue et al.
| |
| 3807437 | Apr., 1974 | Lenten.
| |
| 4526090 | Jul., 1985 | Maier.
| |
| 4692569 | Sep., 1987 | Winner.
| |
| 4730089 | Mar., 1988 | Pepper.
| |
| 6371148 | Apr., 2002 | Tripp.
| |
| 2002/0079163 | Jun., 2002 | Figura et al.
| |
| Foreign Patent Documents |
| 3743393 | Mar., 1989 | DE.
| |
| 09194147 | Jul., 1997 | JP.
| |
| WO 86/0563/2 | Sep., 1986 | WO.
| |
| WO 99/3631/6 | Jul., 1999 | WO.
| |
Primary Examiner: Chambers; A. Michael
Attorney, Agent or Firm: McCormick, Paulding & Huber LLP
Parent Case Text
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is entitled to the benefit of and incorporates by reference
in their entireties essential subject matter disclosed in International Application
No. PCT/EP02/06782 filed on Jun. 19, 2002 and Luxembourg Patent Application No.
90792 filed on Jun. 22, 2001.
Claims
1. A device for supplying power to an aircraft on the ground comprising:
a rolling support;
an electric cable assembly having a first end for connection to a ground power
supply unit and an opposite second end for connection to said aircraft;
a reel rotatably mounted on said rolling support, on which said cable assembly
is wound and from which said cable assembly can be unwound from its first end;
and
a flight of stairs mounted on said rolling support.
2. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a motor coupled to said
reel for rotating said reel.
3. The device according to claim 1, wherein said rolling support has a front
side and an opposite rear side and said device comprises an elevated platform,
said flight of stairs rising from said rear side of said rolling support to said
elevated platform on said front side.
4. The device as claimed in claim 3, wherein said flight of stairs and said elevated
platform are bordered by a side rail.
5. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a pivotable draw-bar connected
to said rolling support.
6. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a cable assembly guide
element arranged at the periphery of said rolling support.
7. The device according to claim 1, wherein said first end of said cable assembly
comprises connection means for said ground power supply unit and said second end
comprises a plug.
8. The device according to claim 1, comprising at least one other cable assembly
having a first end for connection to a ground power supply unit and an opposite
second end for connection to said aircraft, which is wound on the first reel or
on another reel.
9. The device according to claim 8, wherein said first reel is coupled to a motor
for its rotation and said other reel is coupled to said motor.
10. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second end of each cable assembly
is connected to said aircraft via a slip ring unit or a hydraulic swivel joint.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a device for servicing an aircraft on the ground.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
When an aircraft is parked on the ground, the ground staff in charge of aircraft
servicing has to carry out a number of duties such as e.g. supplying power to the
aircraft, discharging waste water and filling up water and compressed air.
Electrical power supply is generally achieved via an electrical cable
assembly. A first end of the cable assembly is connected to a ground power supply
unit and the second end is plugged into a receptacle in the body of the airplane.
The cable assembly is typically stored in a storage device, such as e.g. a reel,
from which it can be unwound, while the first end of the cable assembly remains
connected to the ground power supply. Such a storage device, described e.g. in
U.S. Pat. No. 4,730,089, is generally located at or close to the passenger bridge
and allows to keep the cable assembly off the ground and out of the way of planes
or other vehicles until it is needed. It also allows the cable assembly to be supported
as it is pulled out to a waiting aircraft. When the cable assembly is needed to
supply power to an aircraft, it is pulled from the storage device, across the apron
and plugged into the aircraft by a ground technician. The latter then has to turn
on a switch either located about the plug or near the cable storage device to apply
a voltage to the cable assembly so that power is supplied to the aircraft. When
the aircraft has been serviced, the technician turns off the power, disconnects
the cable from the aircraft, and operates a motor at the storage device to retract
the cable assembly thereto.
Unfortunately, when the cable assembly is stored in the above described
storage device, connection of an aircraft to the power supply is often too time
consuming. Indeed, when the cable assembly is pulled from the storage device, it
frequently gets stuck in the storage device, e.g. due to twisting. The ground technician
thus has to walk back to the storage device to take care of the problem, before
continuing with the connection.
Moreover, depending on the type of aircraft, the technician may have difficulties
in connecting the cable assembly to the aircraft, principally because the connection
has to be done at a relatively high level above ground. This again results in a
waste of time.
Furthermore, it is to be noted that storing the cable in such a storage
device causes a rapid wear of the cable. Indeed, whether the cable is pulled from
the storage device or retracted thereto, it is always dragged on the ground. This
causes extensive abrasion of the cable assembly, which thus needs to be replaced
regularly for safety reasons.
These problems of handling, storage, connection and wear encountered with electric
cables are similar with the hoses used to connect the aircraft to ground units
such as water supply unit, compressed air unit and waste water collecting unit.
WO 99/36316 discloses an aircraft refueling cart, which includes a chassis with
wheels and a refueling platform upon which an operator can stand. The platform
is mounted to the chassis by a scissor-action mechanism, so as to vary the height
of the platform. The cart further includes a short-length hydrant hose, which is
removably supported around the periphery of the cart in its rest position. Fuel
is supplied to the cart via this hydrant hose and is further conveyed to the aircraft
via a boom and fuel hose. On the cart, the fuel supplied by the hydrant hose flows
through a surge suppressor, a filter and a fuel meter, before entering the boom.
The cart further includes a hose reel on which a hose is wound. This hose has a
first end connected downstream of the fuel meter and an opposite, free second end.
OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The technical problem underlying the present invention is to provide a device
for servicing an aircraft on the ground, which facilitates the work of the ground
staff and which allows a more proper handling of the cable or hose assemblies used
for servicing the aircraft. This problem is solved by a device for servicing an
aircraft on the ground in accordance with the present invention.
According to the present invention, a device for servicing an aircraft
on the ground comprises a rolling support on which a reel is rotatably mounted.
In order to connect the aircraft to a ground unit, a cable assembly or hose assembly
is wound up on the reel, from which it can be unwound when needed. This cable or
hose assembly has a first end for connection to the ground unit and a second end
for connection to the aircraft. The cable or hose assembly is wound up on the reel
in such a way that it can be unwound from the first end. The device further comprises
a flight of stairs mounted on the rolling support.
In case the device of the invention is intended to supply power to an aircraft,
a cable assembly is wound on the reel. Such a device proves advantageous for a
ground technician in charge of the electrical connection of an aircraft, as it
is more handy to use than conventional storage devices. When the device is not
in use, it can be parked nearby the ground power supply unit, so that it may be
permanently connected thereto. The cable assembly is kept out of the way of planes
or other vehicles. When the device is needed to supply power to an aircraft, a
ground technician moves the device towards the aircraft. As the device is moved
away from the ground power supply unit, the cable is unwound from the reel, since
its first end is preferably permanently connected to the ground power supply unit.
During unwinding of the cable, the technician can keep an eye on the reel to avoid
any twisting of the cable. Moreover, should the cable get stuck, the reel is directly
within reach for rapidly solving the problem. Besides, it is to be noted that once
arrived at the aircraft, the flight of steps allows the technician to climb up
for easier connection of the cable assembly to the aircraft. As a result, electrical
connection of the aircraft is faster and more easily achieved.
Another advantageous aspect of the device of the invention is that when winding
up or unwinding the cable from the reel, it is not dragged on the ground. Indeed,
as the reel is supported on the rolling support, the cable is progressively laid
on the ground as the device is moved towards the aircraft.
If instead of a cable assembly, a flexible hose assembly is wound up on the reel,
it is possible to connect the first end of the flexible hose to a ground unit such
as e.g. a fresh water supply unit, a compressed air supply unit, or a waste water
collecting unit, so as to supply water or compressed air to the aircraft, or discharge
waste water. As for electric cables, the present device equipped with a hose proves
extremely advantageous regarding the handling, storage and connection of the hose.
It is clear that a cable assembly, respectively a hose assembly, may comprise
one or more cables, respectively hoses.
Advantageously, the device includes a motor coupled to the reel for
rotating the latter so as to easily wind and/or unwind the cable or hose assembly.
The flight of stairs is preferably configured in such manner as to rise from
a rear side of the rolling support to an elevated platform on a front side of the
rolling support. This elevated platform provides an elevated working area, on which
a ground technician can easily proceed to the connection of the cable or hose assembly
to the aircraft.
For security, the flight of stairs and the elevated platform are advantageously
bordered by a side rail.
In order to easily move the device, a pivotable draw-bar may be connected to
the
rolling support.
Preferably, the device further comprises a guide element arranged at
the periphery of the rolling support. This guide element is arranged in the rolling
support in such a way as to avoid twisting of the cable or hose assembly as it
is wound up or unwound.
It is clear that the first end of the cable or hose assembly shall advantageously
comprise connection means for the ground unit and its second end shall comprise
a plug. It is to be noted that, as the cable assembly is not dragged on the floor,
there is no risk of damaging the plug.
Depending on the type of aircraft, it may happen that the power supply
has to be carried out via e.g. two cable assemblies because the aircraft has two
sockets, generally about the same location. In such a case, the present device
should be provided with one other cable assembly having a first end for connection
to a ground unit and an opposite second end for connection to the aircraft, which
is also wound on the first reel or wound on a second reel. This allows a ground
technician to easily bring two cable assemblies simultaneously to an aircraft requiring
two separate connections. When the device is equipped with a motor for winding
up or unwinding the first reel, the second reel may be of course also be coupled
to the motor.
It is clear that it is possible to equip the present device with more than two
cable assemblies, either wound on the same reel or on different reels. The present
device can also be equipped with a plurality of hose assemblies, in order to achieve
multiple connections for supplying or discharging a variety of fluids. Furthermore,
it would be possible to equip the present device with a combination of cable and
hose assemblies, wound on one or more reels. However, in practice, it is desirable
to have one device for each task, i.e. one device for supplying power to the aircraft,
one device for supplying fresh water, etc. . . .
When the present device is equipped with a plurality of cable or hose assemblies,
a conventional slip ring unit or hydraulic swivel joint is preferably mounted in
the device. Indeed, a slip ring unit permits to transmit electric current from
a cable wound on the rotatable reel to an immobile part, from which a connection
cable extends, so that power can be applied to the connection cable, which does
however not rotate with the reel. For a fluid, the same object is achieved by means
of a hydraulic swivel joint. Hence, the second end of each cable or hose assembly
is connected to the slip ring unit or the hydraulic swivel joint, and the latter
advantageously comprise, for each cable or hose assembly, one connection cable
or hose ending with a plug to be connected to the aircraft.
It will be understood that, although the ground units are generally located about
the passenger bridge, they could be located at any place on the apron. Moreover,
in case an aircraft to be serviced is parked far away from the ground unit to which
the device has to be connected, the first end of the cable or hose may be connected
to the ground unit via an extension cable or an extension hose.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference
to the accompanying drawing, in which:
FIG. 1: is a three-dimensional view of a preferred embodiment of a device
for supplying power to an aircraft on the ground in accordance with the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
FIG. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of a device
10 for servicing an aircraft
in accordance with the invention, which is embodied as a device for supplying power
to an aircraft on the ground. This device comprises a rolling support
12
on which two reels
14 and
14′ are rotatably mounted. On each
reel
14 and
14′ is stored a cable assembly, indicated
16
and
16′ respectively, each cable assembly
16, resp.
16′,
having a first end (not shown) for connection to a ground power supply (not shown)
and a second end
18 (only the second end
18 of the cable assembly
16 is shown in the figure) advantageously equipped with a plug
19
for connection to the aircraft. Generally, the cable assembly
16,
16′
is wound up on the reel
14,
14′ when the device
10
is not needed, and can be unwound therefrom when needed.
The device
10 further comprises a flight of stairs
20, which rises
from a rear side
22 of the rolling support
12 to an elevated platform
24 on a front side
26 of the rolling support
12. For security
reasons, a side rail
28 preferably borders the flight of stairs
20
and the elevated platform
24. It will be noted that in order to have a compact
device
10, the reels
14 and
14′ are advantageously
arranged below the elevated platform
24 and the flight of stairs
20.
The present device
10 is particularly suited for supplying power to an
aircraft requiring two separate connections, since it is provided wit tho cable
assemblies. However, it is clear that the present device
10 can also be
used to connect an aircraft requiring a single connection.
When the device
10 is not in use, it can be parked nearby the ground
power supply, so that the first end of each cable assembly
16 and
16′
may permanently be connected to the ground power supply, while each cable assembly
16, resp.
16′, is wound up on its respective reel
14,
14′. The cable assemblies
16 and
16′ are then
kept of the way of planes or other vehicles.
When the device
10 is needed to supply power to an aircraft, a ground
technician moves it towards the aircraft by means of e.g. a pivotable draw-bar
30 connected to the rolling support
12. As the device
10 is
moved away from the ground power supply, the cable assemblies
16 and
16′
are unwound from their reels
14 and
14′ since their first
ends are connected to the ground power supply. As can be seen on FIG. 1, the cable
assemblies
16 and
16′ are advantageously arranged on the reels
14 and
14′ in such a way that most of their length can be
wound on the outer cylindrical surface of the reel
14, so as to be unwound
when the device is moved. Moreover, the cable assembly
16 is arranged in
such a way that a certain portion of the cable, ending with the plug
19,
is rolled up on the inner side of the reel
14. This portion of the cable
assembly
16 thus remains in the reel
14 while the device is moved.
Although not shown, the cable assembly
16′ is also arranged in this
way in reel
14′.
It is to be noted that with the present device
10, the cable assemblies
16 and
16′ are progressively laid on the ground as the device
10 is moved towards the aircraft. They are not anymore dragged on the ground,
which means that they are not subjected to abrasion due to rubbing on the ground.
Moreover, having the plug
19 in the reel
14 when the device
10
is moved, permits to avoid severe damage to the plug
19 due to dragging
on the ground. Also, as the plug
19 is not dragged through e.g. puddles,
it is safer from an electrical point of view.
Reference numbers
32 and
32′ indicate a set of cable
guide elements facing the outer cylindrical surfaces of reels
14 and
14′.
These cable guide elements
32 and
32′ ensure a proper alignment
of the cable assemblies
16 and
16′, whether the latter are
being wind up on their respective reel
14, resp.
14′, or unwound
therefrom. As can be seen, the cable guide elements
32 and
32′
are arranged at the rear side
22 of the rolling support
12, under
the lowest step
34 of the flight of stairs
20. This avoids any entanglement
between the two cable assemblies
16 and
16′.
Once arrived at the aircraft, the ground technician connects the second end
18 of the cable assembly
16,
16′ into a socket (not
shown) in the aircraft. It will be appreciated that the elevated platform
24
provides an elevated working area from which the ground technician can easily proceed
to the connection of the cable assembly
16,
16′ to the aircraft
when the connection has to be done at a relatively high level above ground.
The ground technician then generally turns on a switch either located e.g. on
the plug
19 or near the ground power supply to apply a voltage to the cable
assembly
16, resp.
16′, so that power is supplied to the aircraft.
When the aircraft has been serviced, the ground technician turns off the power,
disconnects the cable assemblies
16 and
16′ from the aircraft
and moves the device
10 back to the ground power supply while the cable
assemblies
16 and
16′ are wound up on their respective reels
14 and
14′.
It will be noted that in order to easily wind and/or unwind the cable assemblies
16 and
16′, the device
10 may be advantageously provided
with a motor. In the device
10, this motor is arranged under the platform
24 and coupled to the reels
14 and
14′ by means of
a driving belt
36.
The motor may e.g. be supplied with power from the ground power unit. In such
a case it is preferable to turn off the power-before disconnecting the plug
19-by
means of a switch at the plug
19, rather than to turn off the power at the
ground unit, which would also suppress the power in the cable assembly. When a
slip ring unit is mounted in the device, power can easily be supplied to the motor
by connecting it to the slip ring unit.
It is clear that instead of cable assemblies, hose assemblies could be wound
on
the reels in order to supply the aircraft with a fluid, such as e.g. fresh water
or compressed air, or to remove a fluid therefrom.
*
