Systems, methods, and vehicles for loading and unloading cargo from a long-distance transport vehicle, such as an aircraft, are described. The systems and methods include operating a plurality of vehicles to unload large cargo from the aircraft and transporting the large cargo to an installation site. In some instances, the vehicles hold the payload the entire time, including while loading aircraft, during flight, unloading the aircraft, and moving the payload to the installation site. Alternatively, the vehicles can drive on the plane to load the payload to a designated area, and equivalent vehicles can drive on the plane after the payload has been flown to unload the payload and moving the payload to the installation site. Various vehicles and systems, and components thereof, along with methods of operating the same, are also provided.

A load carrier for an aircraft cargo hold includes a bottom element with a support surface, the load carrier being movable over a floor surface in a floor plane while the support surface faces the floor surface, the bottom element having a base surface. The support surface has rolling elements rotatable about a rotation axis oriented where a parallel to the axis runs parallel to the floor plane, and the rolling elements being retained on the bottom element where the rotation axis of each of the rolling elements can be rotated about a vertical axis running perpendicularly to the floor plane. A load carrier can include a bottom element, the support surface of which has outlet openings, through which air can exit from the support surface to form an air cushion under the support surface. A load carrier can include a bottom element the support surface of which has slider elements.

A structure and equipment system installed in an aircraft includes vertical supports, a rail device, a connector, guiding elements, pivot joints, and locking devices. The rail device is arranged on the aircraft to guide the guiding elements along a rail device extension axis. Via the connector, the vertical supports are arranged in parallel and connect to form a grid arrangement with the guiding elements arranged thereon. The pivot joints are attached to upper ends of the vertical supports to pivot them. The locking devices each have a first and a second locking element. The grid arrangement is inserted into the aircraft as far as an installation position via the guiding elements on the rail device with vertical supports pivoted upwards from the vertical, by pivoting down into a vertical orientation, the first locking elements can interlock with correspondingly arranged second locking elements to form a load-bearing support structure.

A control system for a cargo handling system is disclosed. The control system may be configured to advance larger containers at a slower speed than smaller containers. For instance, all containers may be initially advanced by the same first velocity control signal. At the expiration of a certain time period, all containers may thereafter be advanced by a different velocity control signal (from the first velocity control signal) that should least substantially maintain the velocity of the container as it existed at the time of the expiration of the noted time period. The length of the time period (for advancing the container at the first velocity control signal) may be varied based upon the size of the containers such that larger containers are accelerated for a shorter time than smaller containers and which in turn should then advance larger containers at a lower velocity compared to smaller containers.

Methods and apparatus to position a cargo unit in a cargo compartment of an aircraft are disclosed herein. An example linear track system in a cargo compartment of an aircraft includes a first linear synchronous motor (LSM) track coupled to a floor of the cargo compartment, a second LSM track coupled to the floor of the cargo compartment, and a cargo positioning system to activate the first and second LSM tracks to move a cargo unit along the first and second LSM tracks through the cargo compartment. A bottom of the cargo unit has first and second strips of conductive material to interact with the corresponding first and second LSM tracks.

A cargo restraint that accommodates restraining ULDs having a distorted or elevated retention base is disclosed (e.g., a retention base that is spaced above a conveyor plane, for instance coinciding with a cargo deck). An outer pawl includes at least one pivot that is maintained in a fixed location on the outer pawl, and that is movable along a slot to change the elevation of the pivot (and the elevation of a restraining head of the outer pawl when in an erected position). Movement of the pivot along the slot first allows the restraining head of the outer pawl to be positioned above a retention base of a ULD, including when the retention base is at an elevated position. Further movement of the pivot along the slot allows the restraining head of the outer pawl to engage and move the retention base of the ULD toward/to the conveyor plane.

A cargo restraint assembly may comprise a first bracket slidingly coupled to a housing. A retention block may be pivotably coupled to the first bracket. A second bracket may be slidingly coupled to the housing. The first bracket may be coupled to the second bracket via a spring. The first bracket and the second bracket may be configured to attenuate in response to a cargo deck bending during transportation of cargo in an aircraft.

A cargo handling system is disclosed. In various embodiments, the cargo handling system includes a first rail defining an upward facing surface and a longitudinal direction and a lateral direction; a platform having a first recessed channel configured to engage an upper portion of the first rail to prevent a movement of the platform in the lateral direction and configured for rolling engagement with the first rail; and a first drive assembly disposed within the platform and configured to propel the platform along the first rail in the longitudinal direction, the first drive assembly having a first drive roller and a first motor.

Aircraft cargo management systems comprising a support structure comprising a first rail and a second rail, the first rail arranged parallel to the second rail, wherein the first rail has a first exterior face and the second rail has a second exterior face, a wheel mounted on an axle, the axle mounted to the first exterior face and passing through the second exterior face, and a power drive unit (“PDU”) mounted to the axle and configured to rotate the axle about an axis are provided. PDUs comprising an electronic controller housed in a controller housing, a motor housed in a motor housing, and a first connecter mounted to the motor housing and a second connector mounted to the controller housing, the first connector configured to mate with the second connector and to conduct electricity between the motor and the electronic controller are also provided.

A cargo loading system includes a drive unit extending along a length of a cargo area of an aircraft. The drive unit is configured to couple to a modular cargo structure via a handling member and to convey one or more cargo items coupled to the modular cargo structure. The cargo loading system further includes a rotation device and a driver. The rotation device is in contact with the drive unit. The driver is configured to apply torque to the rotation device to cause the drive unit to move the modular cargo structure within the aircraft.