System and method to control the uncommanded movement of service carts in aircraft cabins
AssigneeGoodrich Corporation
InventorsGaneshraj Rajan, Divakararao Vadada
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system for monitoring the state of a service cart and applying corrective measures and warnings when potentially unsafe conditions exist includes sensors for monitoring the speed and inclination of the service cart. Speed and inclination data are displayed for the operator, along with any limit-based warning states. Under certain conditions, an actuator automatically activates a brake to immobilize the service cart. The system also includes a proximity sensor to identify obstacles in front of the service cart. The system defines limitations for obstacles in front of the service cart and activates the brake under certain conditions.
Claims13
A computer apparatus comprising:
- a speed sensor;
- an inclination sensor;
- at least one brake actuator;
- and
- at least one processor in data communication with both a proximity sensor and a memory storing processor executable code for configuring the at least one processor to:
- continuously receive inclination data from the inclination sensor and speed data from the speed sensor;
- continuously compare the speed data to a speed data limit in a database of limits and the inclination data to an inclination data limit in the database of limits;
- continuously receive obstacle data from the proximity sensor;
- continuously compare the obstacle data to a distance limit in a database of limits;
- actuate the brake actuator when the speed data exceeds the speed data limit or the inclination data exceeds the inclination data limit, or the obstacle data exceeds the distance limit.
An aircraft service cart comprising:
- a computer apparatus comprising:
- a speed sensor configured to receive speed data corresponding to wheels on the service cart;
- an inclination sensor disposed on a horizontal surface of the service cart;
- at least one brake actuator configured to actuate a service cart brake;
- and
- at least one processor in data communication with both a proximity sensor and a memory storing processor executable code for configuring the at least one processor to:
- continuously receive inclination data from the inclination sensor and speed data from the speed sensor;
- continuously compare the speed data to a speed data limit in a database of limits and the inclination data to an inclination data limit in the database of limits;
- continuously receive obstacle data from the proximity sensor;
- continuously compare the obstacle data to a distance limit in a database of limits;
- and
- actuate the brake actuator when the speed data exceeds the speed data limit or the inclination data exceeds the inclination data limit, or the obstacle data exceeds the distance limit.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.