The disclosure relates to a device of a vehicle, in particular a tractor, having a hydraulic activation unit for controlling the operation of a towed implement on the vehicle, comprising at least one position detection unit with at least one camera, position detection marks, and an evaluation unit and a data-transmitting connection to a control unit which is assigned to the hydraulic activation unit. Furthermore, a method is proposed, wherein by means of such a position detection unit the position of the towed implement can be determined, and the position can be adjusted according to requirements by suitable operation of the hydraulic activation unit.

The exemplary embodiments provide a system of selectively moving airplanes on an airport apron. Airplanes are selectively moved from selective parking locations to areas adjacent to take-off locations such as runways. Airplanes may also be selectively moved from an area of the apron adjacent to a landing location and/or to a parking location. This may include for example an unloading location, an airport terminal, a servicing location, a fueling location, storage location and/or other suitable location. The exemplary system includes driving channels through which a carriage is selectively moved. The carriage includes a basket for operatively engaging at least one front wheel of selected airplanes for purposes of transporting such airplanes to and between the desired locations.

A device for maneuvering and immobilizing an aircraft on the ground. Included in the device is a moving apparatus and a remote control configured for remotely controlling the moving apparatus. The device allows a coupling of a single remote control with several moving apparatuses and/or of one moving apparatus with several remote controls. Also, the device allows an operator equipped with a remote control to remotely control several pushback maneuvers by successively using several moving apparatuses or several operators each equipped with a remote control to successively control the same moving apparatus.

The subject matter disclosed herein includes, inter alia, a method and system which enables to determine the steering-angle between the longitudinal axis of a tractor and the longitudinal axis of an aircraft which is being led by the tractor (referred to herein as steering-angle in short). While an aircraft is being led, the steering-angle can be repeatedly calculated and compared to a threshold value defining a mechanical steering limit. In case the comparison complies with one or more predefined conditions (e.g. the steering-angle is equal or smaller the threshold value) a warning can be generated indicating to an operator that the steering-angle has reached (or is about to reach) its limit and should be adjusted accordingly.

A mobile vehicle for supplying pressurized air to an aircraft, the vehicle being configured to tow the aircraft during its movements on the ground and including a pneumatic supply system configured to supply pressurized air to the aircraft, the pneumatic supply system being manually connectable to a high-pressure connector of the aircraft and remotely disconnectable from the connector.

There is provided a method of moving an aircraft using an aircraft mover, in various instances, an aircraft tractor. The method comprises: a] accelerating the aircraft up to speed using one or more electric motors drivable by at least a fast-discharge electrical-energy storage and supply device during a high-power requirement of the aircraft mover; b] substantially maintaining a speed of the aircraft using a slow-discharge electrical-energy storage and supply device during a low-power requirement of the aircraft mover; c] monitoring a charge status of the slow-discharge and fast-discharge energy storage and supply devices and when a predetermined charge status is reached, automatically charging the slow-discharge and/or fast-discharge energy storage and supply devices via an onboard electricity generator; and d] regeneratively recharging the slow-discharge and/or fast-discharge electricity-energy storage and supply devices during at least deceleration of the aircraft coupled to the aircraft mover. There is also provided a method of controlling the power distribution to the motors within the aircraft mover, a dual electrical-energy storage and supply system and controller for implementing the method, a hybrid power delivery system for an aircraft mover incorporating the dual electrical-energy storage and supply system and controller, and an aircraft mover using the systems.

An embodiment apparatus for moving an aircraft includes a first moving robot configured to lift and support a first landing gear of the aircraft, a second moving robot configured to lift and support a plurality of second landing gears of the aircraft, and a control device electrically connected to the first moving robot and the second moving robot, respectively, wherein the control device is configured to transmit a synchronized control signal to enable the first moving robot and the second moving robot to perform platooning.

An embodiment apparatus for moving an aircraft includes a first moving robot configured to lift and support a first landing gear of the aircraft, a second moving robot configured to lift and support a plurality of second landing gears of the aircraft, and a control device electrically connected to the first moving robot and the second moving robot, respectively, wherein the control device is configured to transmit a synchronized control signal to enable the first moving robot and the second moving robot to perform platooning.

Exemplary disclosed embodiments include systems, methods, and devices for a ground maneuvering system for aircraft. The systems, methods, and devices may include a ground maneuvering system including at least one processor in communication with at least one sensor and at least one maneuvering vehicle. The at least one maneuvering vehicle includes one or more processors in communication with one or more sensors. The one or more processors can be configured to sense, using the one or more sensors, an area associated with a plurality of areas, to determine a location within area, or to maneuver the maneuvering vehicle to the location. The maneuvering vehicle may also include a movement system for maneuvering the maneuvering vehicle in or around the plurality of areas, and a platform configured for an aircraft.

Exemplary disclosed embodiments include systems, methods, and devices for a ground maneuvering system for aircraft. The systems, methods, and devices may include a ground maneuvering system including at least one processor in communication with at least one sensor and at least one maneuvering vehicle. The at least one maneuvering vehicle includes one or more processors in communication with one or more sensors. The one or more processors can be configured to sense, using the one or more sensors, an area associated with a plurality of areas, to determine a location within area, or to maneuver the maneuvering vehicle to the location. The maneuvering vehicle may also include a movement system for maneuvering the maneuvering vehicle in or around the plurality of areas, and a platform configured for an aircraft.