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US 10,196,146 B2Granted
Self propelled air cushion supported aircraft cargo loading systems and methods
AssigneeGoodrich Corporation
InventorRichard A. Himmelmann
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A cargo management system may include an air cushion cargo shuttle, an air cushion cargo shuttle, an air blower configured to blow air beneath the air cushion cargo shuttle and a shuttle drive unit that interacts with a linear guide rail and configured to cause linear motion, wherein the shuttle drive unit is configured for self-propulsion.
Claims11
A cargo management system comprising:
- an air cushion cargo shuttle having a cargo surface opposite a bottom surface;
- an air blower coupled to the bottom surface of the air cushion cargo shuttle, wherein the air blower is configured to blow air beneath the air cushion cargo shuttle and proximate a floor panel causing separation between the air cushion cargo shuttle and the floor panel;
- and
- a shuttle drive unit coupled to the air cushion cargo shuttle, wherein the shuttle drive unit comprises a pinion that interacts with a linear rack on the floor panel, and wherein a rotational movement by the pinion results in linear motion of the air cushion cargo shuttle along the linear rack.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.