Ground vehicle collision prevention systems and methods

A ground vehicle collision prevention system, comprising:

• a proximity detection unit positioned at least proximate to an aircraft and coupled to at least one transducer proximate to at least one selected structural portion of the aircraft, the proximity detection unit being operable to emit ranging signals through the at least one transducer and to receive reflected signals through the at least one transducer, the proximity detection unit being operable to generate a proximity alarm signal when a vehicle is detected within a ranging area, the proximity alarm signal further including a critical proximity alarm signal that is generated when the vehicle is positioned at a predetermined critical distance from the at least one selected structural portion of the aircraft;
• a transmitter coupled to the proximity detection unit that is operable to transmit the critical proximity alarm signal to a corresponding receiver positioned in the vehicle;
• and
• a control system coupled to the receiver that is operable to stop motion of the vehicle when the critical proximity alarm signal is received.

A ground vehicle collision prevention system, comprising:

• a proximity detection unit positioned at least proximate to an aircraft and coupled to at least one transducer proximate to at least one selected structural portion of the aircraft, the proximity detection unit being operable to emit ranging signals through the at least one transducer and to receive reflected signals through the at least one transducer, the proximity detection unit being operable to generate a proximity alarm signal when the vehicle is detected within a ranging area adjacent to the selected structural portion;
• a first transceiver coupled to the proximity detection unit and operable to exchange information with a second transceiver positioned on the vehicle;
• a first processor coupled to the proximity detection unit operable to store selected aircraft information;
• and
• a second processor coupled to second transceiver operable to store selected vehicle information.

An aerospace vehicle, comprising:

• a fuselage;
• a propulsion system operatively coupled to the fuselage;
• and
• a ground vehicle collision prevention system including:
• a proximity detection unit positioned on the aerospace vehicle and coupled to at least one transducer proximate to at least one selected structural portion of the aerospace vehicle, the proximity detection unit being operable to emit ranging signals through the at least one transducer and to receive reflected signals through the at least one transducer to determine the position of an object within a ranging area adjacent to the selected structural portion, wherein the ranging area is subdivided into at least a first field region adjacent to the at least one selected structural portion, and the proximity detection unit is operable to generate a first alarm signal characteristic when the object is positioned within the first field region;
• a second field region adjacent to the first field region and spaced apart from the at least one structural portion, wherein the proximity detection unit is operable to generate a second alarm signal characteristic when the object is positioned within the second field region;
• and
• a response unit coupled to the proximity detection unit that is responsive to a proximity alarm signal generated by the proximity detection unit, the response unit including at least one of an alarm device adapted to transmit a warning signal to an operator of a ground vehicle and a control signal generator adapted to transmit a control signal to a control system of the ground vehicle.

A ground vehicle collision prevention system for use with an aircraft, comprising:

• a proximity detection unit adapted to be positioned at least proximate to the aircraft and including a sensor adapted to emit at least one ranging signal and to receive at least one reflected signal to determine the position of an object within a ranging area proximate the aircraft;
• an electrical energy source coupled to an electric motor configured in a ground vehicle;
• and
• a response unit coupled to the proximity detection unit, the response unit including a controller adapted to transmit a control signal to a control system of the ground vehicle, in response to the at least one reflected signal, the control system operable to interrupt a current between the electrical energy source and the electric motor when the round vehicle is within the ranging area.