# US 8,543,322 B1 · Methods for determination of optimum sequence for automated activation of onboard aircraft weight and balance system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,543,322 B1 - Document ID: US8543322B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 13/415,887 - Filed: 2012-03-09 - Granted: 2013-09-24 - Earliest claimed: 2011-03-14 - Applicants: C. Kirk Nance - Inventors: C. Kirk Nance - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8543322B1 ## CPC - B64C 25/00: Alighting gear (air-cushion alighting gear B60V3/08) - G01G 19/07: for weighing aircraft - B64C: AEROPLANES; HELICOPTERS - G01G: WEIGHING (sorting by weighing B07C5/16) ## Abstract A system and method for the determination for automated initiation of onboard aircraft weight and balance measurement systems. The system is used in monitoring, measuring, computing and displaying the weight and balance of aircraft utilizing telescopic landing gear struts. Pressure sensors, axle deflection sensors, and/or linkage rotation sensors are mounted in relation to each of the landing gear struts to monitor, measure and record strut and aircraft movement and rates of said movement experienced by landing gear struts, as the aircraft proceeds through typical ground and flight operations. Also, acceleration sensors and GPS can be used to monitor aircraft movements and positions during ground and flight operations. The system and method identify the position of the aircraft as related to airport ground operations to determine the optimum time to initiate an aircraft weight and balance measurement. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of determining when to automatically activate an onboard aircraft weight system in an aircraft, the aircraft having landing gear struts, comprising the steps of: a) providing landing gear sensors; b) measuring the aircraft movement over time with the landing gear sensors while the aircraft is on the ground and obtaining aircraft load and movement data, with the load and movement data selected from the group consisting of landing gear strut pressures, deflection of wheel axles of the landing gear struts and movement of landing gear struts; c) storing the aircraft load and movement data; d) determining from the stored load and movement data a specified pattern of aircraft movement; e) based upon the specified pattern, requesting that a determination of the aircraft weight be made by the onboard weight system. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the step of measuring the aircraft movement further comprises the step of measuring fluid pressure in the landing gear struts. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the aircraft landing gear comprises wheels mounted on the respective wheel axles, wherein the step of measuring the aircraft movement further comprises the step of measuring deflection of at least one of the wheel axles. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein the step of measuring the aircraft movement further comprises the step of measuring the acceleration of the aircraft. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein the landing gear struts further comprise strut linkages, wherein the step of measuring the aircraft movement further comprises the step of measuring the movement of the strut linkages on at least one of the landing gear struts. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein the step of measuring the aircraft movement further comprises the step of measuring the movement of the aircraft using a global positioning satellite receiver. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein the step of determining a specified pattern of aircraft movement further comprises the step of determining when the aircraft is located at a loading station. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7 wherein the step of requesting that a determination of the aircraft weight be made further comprises the step of requesting that a determination of a ramp weight of the aircraft be made. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein the step of determining a specified pattern of aircraft movement further comprises the step of determining when the aircraft is near take-off. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9 wherein the step of requesting that a determination of the aircraft weight be made further comprises the step of requesting that a determination of a take-off weight of the aircraft be made. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein the step of determining a specified pattern of aircraft movement further comprises the step of determining when the aircraft has landed after a flight. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11 wherein the step of requesting that a determination of the aircraft weight be made further comprises the step of requesting that a determination of a landing weight of the aircraft be made. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein: a) the step of determining a specified pattern of aircraft movement further comprises the step of determining when the aircraft is near take-off; b) the step of requesting that a determination of the aircraft weight be made further comprises the step of requesting that a determination of a take-off weight of the aircraft be made; c) the step of determining a specified pattern of aircraft movement further comprises the step of determining when the aircraft has landed after a flight; d) the step of requesting that a determination of the aircraft weight be made further comprises the step of requesting that a determination of a landing weight of the aircraft be made. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of using the load data to determine aircraft weight.