Cargo Power Drive Unit With Water Extraction Mechanism
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorWilliam R. Clos
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Apparatus and methods provide for a cargo power drive unit (PDU) with a water extraction mechanism. According to one aspect, a PDU includes a PDU housing that is configured for installation within the cargo floor. A PDU drive wheel is positioned within a drive wheel compartment of the PDU housing. A water barrier is positioned around a top portion of the PDU housing. A water extraction mechanism is configured to transfer water from a sump portion of the drive wheel compartment to the cargo floor outside of the water barrier.
Claims20
A power drive unit (PDU) for moving pallets over a cargo floor in a wet environment, comprising:
- a PDU housing configured for installation within the cargo floor;
- a PDU drive wheel positioned within a drive wheel compartment of the PDU housing and extending a height H1 above the cargo floor;
- a water barrier positioned around a top portion of the PDU housing and extending above the cargo floor a distance less than the height H1;
- and
- a water extraction mechanism configured to transfer water from a sump portion of the drive wheel compartment to the cargo floor outside of the water barrier.
A method for moving pallets over a cargo floor in a wet environment, the method comprising:
- activating a PDU drive wheel within a drive wheel compartment of a PDU housing;
- engaging a bottom surface of a pallet with the PDU drive wheel to move the pallet;
- routing water around the drive wheel compartment with a water barrier positioned around a top portion of the PDU housing;
- and
- transferring water from a sump portion of the drive wheel compartment to the cargo floor outside of the water barrier via a water extraction mechanism.
A PDU for moving pallets over a cargo floor in a wet environment, comprising:
- a PDU housing configured for removable installation within the cargo floor;
- a PDU drive wheel positioned within a drive wheel compartment of the PDU housing and extending a height H1 above the cargo floor;
- a motor positioned within the PDU housing, operatively coupled to the PDU drive wheel, and configured to rotate the PDU drive wheel;
- a water barrier positioned around a top portion of the PDU housing and extending above the cargo floor a distance less than the height H1;
- a water conduit positioned within the PDU housing and fluidly coupling a sump portion of the drive wheel compartment to an exterior side of the water barrier;
- and
- a pump positioned within the PDU housing, fluidly coupled to the water conduit, and operative to pump water from the sump portion of the housing through the water conduit to the cargo floor on the exterior side of the water barrier.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.