Autonomous multi-use subterranean aircraft pull-through system and method of use

An autonomous, multi-use, subterranean aircraft pull-through system for moving and servicing multiple aircraft simultaneously through an airport terminal building comprising:

• a sled system comprising a sled assembly structured to provide a pulling force for the aircraft in a uni-directional, simultaneous and linear movement through the multiple cells of the airport terminal building arranged in a row;
• wherein the sled assembly moved linearly during the servicing of an aircraft, then cycles through a channel arrangement located below the ground floor of the airport terminal building in an endless loop to reconnect to the next aircraft to arrive at the airport terminal entrance;
• a tow bar system anchored to the sled assembly at a first end, a second end is structured to incorporate a plurality of adapters;
• wherein the tow bar system extends to connect with the aircraft, utilizing at least one of its plurality of adapters, guided to the aircraft nose wheel coupling point of the aircraft by use of a sensor;
• wherein the sled assembly further comprising a power drive system, a controller, a braking system, a plurality of positioning sensors, and a computer control system;
• wherein the sled assembly is steerable by the power drive system, the sled assembly is accelerated by the power drive system under the control of the controller and stopped by the braking system;
• wherein the computer control system is configured to (i) control acceleration and stopping of the sled assembly, (ii) automate coupling and decoupling of the aircraft nose wheel with the tow bar system, (iii) indicate when the sled assembly starts and stops, and (iv) engages with the aircraft's braking system throughout the process of transitioning the multiple cells;
• wherein, after the sled assembly is accelerated so as to cause movement of the sled assembly and concomitant movement of the aircraft being pulled, the steering of the sled assembly is under the control of the computer control system;
• wherein the positioning sensors are configured to identify the arriving aircraft and select the appropriate adapter to attach to the aircraft for commencing the pull through operations, wherein the computer control system communicates with the positioning sensors in each row of cells;
• wherein the sled assembly further includes a decoupling means for decoupling the sled assembly from the aircraft being pulled, when the aircraft designated for servicing in the cell is completed;
• and
• wherein the sled system travels subterranean on main rails through a sequence of switches, as it travels back to the arrival ramp position, to repeat the sequence for the next aircraft designated for servicing in the particular row of cells.

A method of facilitating the moving of multiple aircraft at a time through the airport terminal building and assisting in servicing the aircraft, wherein the method comprises the steps of:

• (a) coupling an aircraft to an autonomous, multi-use, subterranean aircraft pull-through system comprising:
• a sled system comprising a sled assembly to provide a pulling force for the aircraft in a uni-directional, simultaneous and linear movement
• wherein the sled assembly travels linearly during servicing of the aircraft, then cycles through a channel arrangement located below the ground floor of the airport terminal building in an endless loop to reconnect to the next aircraft to arrive at a desired location for servicing;
• a tow bar system anchored to the sled assembly at a first end, a second end is structured to incorporate a plurality of adapters;
• wherein the tow bar system extends to connect with the aircraft, utilizing at least one of its plurality of adapters, guided to the aircraft nose wheel coupling point of the aircraft by use of a sensor;
• wherein the sled assembly comprises a power drive system, a controller, a braking system, a plurality of positioning sensors, and a computer control system;
• wherein the sled assembly further comprising a power drive system, a controller, a braking system, a plurality of positioning sensors, and a computer control system;
• wherein the sled assembly is steerable by the power drive system, the sled assembly is accelerated by the power drive system under the control of the controller and stopped by the braking system;
• wherein the computer control system is configured to communicate with the sled assembly;
• wherein the positioning sensors are configured to identify the arriving aircraft and select the appropriate adapter to attach to the aircraft for commencing the pull through operations;
• and
• wherein the sled assembly further comprising a decoupling means for decoupling the sled assembly from the aircraft being pulled, when the aircraft designated for servicing is completed;
• (b) pulling the aircraft by the sled assembly for servicing without starting the aircraft's engines;
• (c) decoupling the sled assembly from the nose wheel of the aircraft by retracting the tow bar system into the sled assembly after completion of servicing and clearing for taxiing to the runway;
• and
• (d) returning the sled assembly to an arrival ramp position, to repeat the sequence for the next aircraft designated for servicing;
• wherein the use of the sled system reduces congestion of the aircraft at the ramp, and increases aircraft block hours, a measure of airline fleet efficiency.