Device for opening and collecting hoses used to transport conditioned air in airports

A device for opening and collecting a flexible aviation hose having a tubular wall and an external spiral structure, the device comprising:

• a machine chassis defining a hose path along a longitudinal axis;
• a plurality of motion modules arranged around the hose axis, each motion module comprising:
• an electric motor with a reducer;
• pallet gears driven by the electric motor;
• and
• a composite pallet extending along the hose and operatively engaged with pallet gears of the motion module such that movement of the gears drives the pallet, wherein the composite pallet comprises:
• a hose-contacting side configured to engage the external spiral structure of the hose without contacting the tubular wall, the hose-contacting side comprising an anti-slip gripping surface;
• and
• a drive side engaged by the pallet gears, the drive side comprising a wear-resistant surface;
• a hinged motion module connections mounting the motion modules to the machine chassis, the hinged motion module connection biasing the composite pallets toward the hose while permitting radial compliance of each motion module to:
• accommodate changes in hose diameter;
• and
• interrupt motion transfer in the event of hose obstruction;
• and
• bearing storage guides disposed about the hose axis within a storage section of the machine chassis, the bearing storage guides comprising rotatable bearing pipes configured to permit the hose to rotate about the hose axis during collection and extension, thereby reducing stress on the hose, wherein coordinated operation of the motion modules advances or retracts the hose by engagement of the composite pallets with the spiral structure.