Engine Loading System

An engine loader comprising:

• a cradle configured to hold an engine;
• a movement system associated with the cradle and configured to move the cradle in which the movement system comprises:
• a platform associated with the cradle;
• and
• a plurality of wheels associated with the platform;
• and
• an adjustment system configured to change a position of the cradle with respect to the movement system and an engine strut on an aircraft in which the adjustment system comprises:
• an actuator system associated with the cradle in which the actuator system comprises a number of actuators associated with the cradle;
• in which each actuator in the number of actuators is selected from a group comprising a hydraulic actuator, a machine screw, a ball screw jack, and a telescope jack;
• in which a number of universal joints is associated with the number of actuators and is located on a number of ends of the number of actuators associated with the cradle;
• and in which each universal joint in the number of universal joints comprises:
• a spherical bearing;
• a compression spring configured to center the spherical bearing;
• and
• an elongate member;
• and
• an air bearing system.

A method for moving an engine, the method comprising:

• moving the engine in a cradle with respect to a location on an aircraft using a movement system associated with the cradle;
• changing a position of the cradle with respect to the movement system and the location on the aircraft using an adjustment system associated with the movement system;
• and
• connecting the engine to the location after changing the position of the cradle.

A method for moving an engine, the method comprising:

• moving the engine in a cradle with respect to an engine strut on an aircraft using a movement system associated with the cradle;
• changing a position of the cradle with respect to the movement system and the engine strut on the aircraft using an adjustment system associated with the movement system to move the engine into a desired position relative to the engine strut on the aircraft in which the changing step comprises:
• changing a height of the cradle using an actuator system to change a height of the engine;
• and
• adjusting an alignment of the cradle using an air bearing system to adjust an alignment of the engine;
• bolting the engine in the desired position to the engine strut after changing the position of the cradle;
• changing the position of the cradle with respect to the movement system and the location on the aircraft using the adjustment system associated with the movement system to move the cradle away from the engine;
• moving the movement system away from the location on the aircraft after moving the cradle away from the engine;
• and
• moving the movement system away from the engine after connecting the engine to the engine strut on the aircraft.