Aircraft tug
OwnerRyan Fogg, Jeff Persenaireinventors
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An aircraft tug for moving aircraft on the ground, including: (a) a body/chassis that is responsive to operator control; (b) at least one ground-engaging drive wheel, wherein the at least one ground-engaging drive wheel is associated with the body/chassis; and (c) wherein the tug includes a low clearance front and a boom/mast extension that increase visibility, as well as improve safety while transporting aircraft on the ground relative to conventional tugs.
Claims20
An aircraft tug for moving aircraft on the ground, comprising:
- a chassis that is responsive to operator control;
- at least one ground-engaging drive wheel, wherein the at least one ground-engaging drive wheel is associated with the chassis;
- and
- wherein the tug includes a low clearance front and a boom/mast extension that increase visibility, as well as improve safety while transporting aircraft on the ground relative to conventional tugs.
An aircraft tug system, comprising:
- a chassis having a low clearance front portion;
- a multi-stage wheel engagement assembly mounted in the front portion, comprising:
- laterally adjustable wheel guides;
- a rear gate mechanism;
- and
- synchronized actuators configured to coordinate movement of the wheel guides and rear gate;
- a pair of extendable side mast assemblies mounted to the chassis;
- and
- a control system configured to manage the wheel engagement assembly and side mast assemblies.
A method of engaging an aircraft with an aircraft tug, comprising the steps of:
- positioning a low clearance front end of the tug beneath an aircraft nose wheel;
- activating a sequential engagement process wherein:
- (a) lateral wheel guides move inward to establish initial wheel contact;
- (b) a rear gate deploys to prevent wheel rollback;
- and (c) the lateral wheel guides and rear gate coordinate to center and secure the wheel;
- verifying secure wheel engagement through multiple sensor inputs;
- and
- activating a lift assembly to raise the secured wheel while maintaining the wheel's centered position.
An electric aircraft tug drive system, comprising:
- at least one electric drive motor coupled to ground-engaging wheels;
- a power management system configured to:
- distribute power between drive and lift operations;
- implement regenerative braking;
- and
- maintain reserve power for safety systems;
- a thermal management system integrated with the drive motor;
- and
- a charging interface compatible with ground support equipment power sources.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.