US 2017/0001511 A1 · HYBRID POWER DELIVERY SYSTEM FOR AN AIRCRAFT MOVER

Abstract

There is provided a method of moving an aircraft using an aircraft mover, in various instances, an aircraft tractor. The method comprises: a] accelerating the aircraft up to speed using one or more electric motors drivable by at least a fast-discharge electrical-energy storage and supply device during a high-power requirement of the aircraft mover; b] substantially maintaining a speed of the aircraft using a slow-discharge electrical-energy storage and supply device during a low-power requirement of the aircraft mover; c] monitoring a charge status of the slow-discharge and fast-discharge energy storage and supply devices and when a predetermined charge status is reached, automatically charging the slow-discharge and/or fast-discharge energy storage and supply devices via an onboard electricity generator; and d] regeneratively recharging the slow-discharge and/or fast-discharge electricity-energy storage and supply devices during at least deceleration of the aircraft coupled to the aircraft mover. There is also provided a method of controlling the power distribution to the motors within the aircraft mover, a dual electrical-energy storage and supply system and controller for implementing the method, a hybrid power delivery system for an aircraft mover incorporating the dual electrical-energy storage and supply system and controller, and an aircraft mover using the systems.

Claims22

Dependent claims

An aircraft mover comprising:

a wheeled chassis;
an engine;
an electricity generator powerable by the engine;
at least one electric motor providing motive torque to the wheeled chassis;
a dual electrical-energy storage and supply system rechargeable by the electricity generator and having different first and second electrical-energy storage and supply devices;
a aircraft engagement area at which a nose landing gear of an aircraft is engageable;
a controller which controls power delivery from the dual electrical-energy storage and supply system to at least one of the at least one electric motor and the aircraft engagement area, the controller determining a peak power requirement to move the aircraft based on at least one of a predetermined aircraft type, condition and requirement;
and
a power feedback system which relays information about the power provided by the at least one electric motor to the controller, whereby the controller selects at least one of the different first and second electrical-energy storage and supply devices to drive at least one of the at least one electric motor and an aircraft engagement mechanism at the aircraft engagement area.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Hybrid power delivery system for an aircraft mover

Life of this patent

Hybrid power delivery system for an aircraft mover

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims22