Method and apparatus for reducing skidding of wheels on a passenger boarding bridge

A method for reducing skidding in a passenger boarding bridge having at least two wheels, a fixed end, and a free end, the method comprising the steps of:

• aligning a first wheel to a desired first angular position;
• providing the first angular position to a computing device;
• determining an extension length of the boarding bridge measured from the fixed end to the free end;
• providing the extension length to the computing device;
• generating from the computing device a skid compensation control signal in response to the first angular position and the extension length;
• and
• rotating a second wheel to a second angular position in response to the skid compensation control signal.

A passenger boarding bridge comprising:

• an extensible tunnel having a fixed end and a free end;
• an extension sensor for determining an extension length of the bridge measured from the fixed end to the free end;
• a plurality of wheels on the free end for moving the free end of the tunnel in a desired direction the plurality of wheels comprising a first and second wheel;
• a steering mechanism for controlling the direction of movement of the free end;
• and
• a control system operable to align the first wheel in a different direction than the second wheel to reduce skidding, the control system comprising:
• a computing device for generating a control signal;
• and
• an actuator for rotating at least one of the wheels in response to the control signal.

A method for reducing skidding in an extensible passenger boarding bridge wheel, the boarding bridge having a free end and a fixed end, the method comprising:

• receiving a travel direction for the free end of the boarding bridge;
• extending or retracting the free end of the boarding bridge in the travel direction;
• recording a steering history of the free end as the boarding bridge extends or retracts;
• determining a distance from the fixed end to the free end using the steering history;
• calculating a desired angular wheel alignment based on the travel direction and the distance from the fixed end to the free end of the boarding bridge;
• providing a skid compensation control signal to an actuator based on the desired angular wheel alignment;
• and
• aligning, by the actuator, the wheel in response to the skid compensation control signal.