A system and method for controlling the movement of an extendible bridge structure has proximity sensors coupled to a distal end thereof and includes a first movement mechanism for extension and retraction thereof. A processor receives signals from the proximity sensors and, based thereon, selectively generates and provides control signals to the first movement mechanism to automatically extend the structure to a predetermined position against a vehicle positioned in a predetermined area. A flexible boot is attached to the distal end of the structure. The processor generates and provides control signals to a second movement mechanism coupled to the flexible boot to extend the flexible boot against the vehicle. The processor also monitors and identifies any changes in a positional relationship between the flexible boot and the vehicle after initial extension thereof and provides generated control signals to the first movement mechanism to restore the structure to the predetermined position.

A coupling module forms an interface between a cabin of a passenger bridge and an aircraft. The coupling module has a projecting roof and a floor arrangement overspanned by the projecting roof. The floor arrangement is pivotable about a horizontal pivot axis relative to the cabin. At least the floor arrangement and the projecting roof have a common pivot axis that is arranged in or beneath the floor arrangement, with the floor arrangement at least indirectly and substantially supporting the projecting roof.

A method for reducing aircraft turnaround time by improving airport ramp safety is provided. The method minimizes the time interval between an aircraft's landing and takeoff by independently moving the aircraft on the ground without the aircraft's engines by eliminating hazards from jet blast, the possibility of engine ingestion, and the time previously required to wait in the gate area upon arrival or at departure until jet blast or engine ingestion did not pose a danger. Turnaround time is further reduced by providing an onboard driver controllable to drive at least one of the aircraft's wheels between landing and takeoff, thereby eliminating the need for a tow vehicle and the time required to move the aircraft with a tow vehicle.

The passenger boarding includes a rotunda, a tunnel portion, a cab and a first detection device configured to detect an angle of the rotunda from the first axis around an origin point, and a second detector configured to measure a distance of the tunnel from the origin point in the extensible/contractable direction, provided at the tunnel.

A coupling module for coupling a passenger boarding bridge with an aircraft has a floor assembly and a canopy roof spanning the floor assembly. The coupling module and/or the floor assembly is configured to be received at a cabin of a passenger boarding bridge such that the coupling module and/or the floor assembly can swivel relative to the cabin around a horizontal swivel axis. A position sensor is operable to measure an inclination of the floor assembly relative to a geodetic horizontal position.

A tunnel air-conditioning and heating apparatus is provided. the tunnel air-conditioning and heating apparatus may include a condenser provided at a rotunda; a compressor provided at the rotunda and connected to the condenser; an evaporator provided at a movable tunnel and connected to each of the condenser and the compressor; and a condenser connection pipe configured to connect the condenser with the evaporator and a compressor connection pipe configured to the compressor with the evaporator each of which is formed into a flexible coil.

A coupling module forms an interface between a cabin of a passenger bridge and an aircraft. The coupling module has a projecting roof and a floor arrangement overspanned by the projecting roof. The floor arrangement is pivotable about a horizontal pivot axis relative to the cabin. At least the floor arrangement and the projecting roof have a common pivot axis that is arranged in or beneath the floor arrangement, with the floor arrangement at least indirectly and substantially supporting the projecting roof.

A passenger boarding bridge includes first and second cameras and a controller. The controller is configured to express a position of various components by using a three-dimensional orthogonal coordinate system. The cameras capture images of the entrance when the cab is at a standby position. The controller calculates position coordinates of the entrance based on the images, and calculates target position coordinates of a distal end part of the cab at a temporary stop position based on the calculated position coordinates of the entrance. The controller performs an inverse kinematics calculation to calculate target position coordinates of a travel device, a target length of a lifting/lowering device, and a target rotational angle of the cab with respect to a tunnel unit for the cab to be at the temporary stop position, then causes the cab to move from the standby position to the temporary stop position.

A device may receive one or more images that depict one or more shapes associated with a first object that includes a portal. The device may identify, based on the one or more images, one or more characteristics of the one or more shapes. The device may determine, based on the one or more characteristics of the one or more shapes, one or more attributes of the portal. The device may determine, based on the one or more attributes of the portal, positioning information to be used to position a second object relative to the portal of the first object. The device may output, based on the positioning information, one or more control signals associated with positioning the second object relative to the portal.

A method for reducing aircraft turnaround time by improving airport ramp safety is provided. The method minimizes the time interval between an aircraft's landing and takeoff by independently moving the aircraft on the ground without the aircraft's engines by eliminating hazards from jet blast, the possibility of engine ingestion, and the time previously required to wait in the gate area upon arrival or at departure until jet blast or engine ingestion did not pose a danger. Turnaround time is further reduced by providing an onboard driver controllable to drive at least one of the aircraft's wheels between landing and takeoff, thereby eliminating the need for a tow vehicle and the time required to move the aircraft with a tow vehicle.