US 6,552,327 B2 · Method and apparatus for positioning one end of a movable bridge in relation to a door of a craft

Abstract

A device for positioning one end of a movable bridge in relation to a door on a craft comprises a control unit for controlling at least the vertical movement of the bridge and for storing information on the position of the door on the craft. The control unit comprises a sensor arranged to transmit electromagnetic radiation in different directions, and to detect electromagnetic radiation; and the control unit is arranged to measure the time difference between the transmission of radiation in at least two different directions and the detection of said radiation, thereby determining the position of the bridge in relation to the craft in said directions, and to control at least the vertical movement of said one end of the bridge to a position adjacent to the door in response to the determined position of the bridge and the stored information on the position of the door.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A device for positioning one end of a movable bridge in relation to a door on a craft, having a control unit for controlling at least the vertical movement of the bridge and for storing information on the position of the door on the craft,

wherein the control unit comprises a sensor arranged
to transmit electromagnetic radiation in different directions;
and
to detect reflections of said electromagnetic radiation;
and that the control unit is arranged
to measure the time difference between the transmission of radiation in at least two different directions and the detection of said radiation;
to determine the position of the bridge in relation to the craft;
to control the movement of said one end of the bridge to a position adjacent to the door in response to the determined position of the bridge and, the stored information on the position of the door;
and
after the bridge is connected to the craft
to control at least the vertical movement of one end of the bridge to maintain the position adjacent to the door in response to the determined position of the bridge in relation to the craft and stored information on the position of the door.

8 more elements

A method for positioning at least in the vertical direction one end of a movable bridge at a door on a craft, comprising the steps of:

storing information about the position of the door on the craft,
transmitting electromagnetic radiation in different directions,
detecting electromagnet radiation having the same wavelength as the transmitted radiation,
measuring the time between the transmission of radiation and detection of radiation from at least two different directions,
determining the position of the bridge in relation to the craft, and
moving the bridge in response to the determined position and stored information;
connecting said movable bridge to the craft adjacent to a door,
continuing to transmit electromagnetic radiation in different directions,
continuing to detect electromagnetic radiation having the same wavelength as the transmitted radiation,
measuring the time between the transmission of radiation and the detection of radiation from at least two different directions,
thereby determining the position of the bridge in relation to the door, and
moving the bridge in at least the vertical direction in response to the determined position and stored information to maintain the position adjacent to the door.

9 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method and apparatus for positioning one end of a movable bridge in relation to a door of a craft

Life of this patent

Method and apparatus for positioning one end of a movable bridge in relation to a door of a craft

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20