A coupling module as an interface between an air passenger bridge or staircase and the aircraft fuselage has a cabin and a walkable swivel floor. At least the swivel floor is pivotably arranged about a pivot axis at the cabin to align the swivel floor at a door opening in an aircraft fuselage. The swivel floor has at least one front floor segment travelable with respect to a base body of the swivel floor in the direction of the aircraft fuselage.

Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide techniques for a mobile adjustable stairway which has a first frame section which is adapted to be mobile and has fixed steps and a second frame section coupled to the first frame section such that relative movement there between can take place whereby the stairway is adjustable between a compacted form and an extended form. A set of floating steps is provided whereby each floating step is adapted to be progressively raised and lowered as the stairway as the second frame section is moved relative to the first frame section between the compacted and extended forms. The stairway also has a set of first components associated with each floating step operable to laterally stabilize the floating step when in the extended form; and a set of second components associated with each floating step operable to longitudinally stabilize the floating step when in the extended form.

Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide techniques for a mobile adjustable stairway which has a first frame section which is adapted to be mobile and has fixed steps and a second frame section coupled to the first frame section such that relative movement there between can take place whereby the stairway is adjustable between a compacted form and an extended form. A set of floating steps is provided whereby each floating step is adapted to be progressively raised and lowered as the stairway as the second frame section is moved relative to the first frame section between the compacted and extended forms. The stairway also has a set of first components associated with each floating step operable to laterally stabilize the floating step when in the extended form; and a set of second components associated with each floating step operable to longitudinally stabilize the floating step when in the extended form.

In an embodiment, an airport electric vehicle charging system includes a current transducer electrically coupled with a power source; a solid state converter electrically coupleable with an aircraft at or near an airport gate and configured to provide and maintain power to the aircraft; and a controller. The system further includes a first feedback loop between the controller and the current transducer; a second feedback loop between the controller and the solid state converter; and a battery charger electrically coupled with the power source and configured to charge one or more electric vehicles. The first feedback loop provides a first feedback signal generated by the current transducer to the controller. The second feedback loop provides a second feedback signal generated by the solid state converter to the controller. The battery charger is configured to consume power from the power source in accordance with the first and second feedback signals.

In an embodiment, an airport electric vehicle charging system includes a current transducer electrically coupled with a power source; a solid state converter electrically coupleable with an aircraft at or near an airport gate and configured to provide and maintain power to the aircraft; and a controller. The system further includes a first feedback loop between the controller and the current transducer; a second feedback loop between the controller and the solid state converter; and a battery charger electrically coupled with the power source and configured to charge one or more electric vehicles. The first feedback loop provides a first feedback signal generated by the current transducer to the controller. The second feedback loop provides a second feedback signal generated by the solid state converter to the controller. The battery charger is configured to consume power from the power source in accordance with the first and second feedback signals.

An access device to an aircraft, bus or building. The access device having a loading surface connected to a vehicle, wherein a protective device for passengers is arranged on the loading surface.

An access device to an aircraft, bus or building. The access device having a loading surface connected to a vehicle, wherein a protective device for passengers is arranged on the loading surface.

An airport terminal gate traffic management system is provided that maximizes efficiency and safety of passenger transfer and aircraft servicing and minimizes aircraft time parked at a terminal. Aircraft are driven forward into and out of gates by controllable landing gear wheel non-engine drive means and parked in a parallel or perpendicular orientation relative to the terminal that facilitates passenger transfer through a maximum number of aircraft doors. Passenger transfer and aircraft servicing may begin upon aircraft arrival using all available accessible aircraft doors. Departing aircraft may be turned by an unassisted pilot and driven forward with the controllable non-engine drive means to a takeoff runway. Airport terminal aircraft gate traffic is most effectively and efficiently managed when a significant number of aircraft using an airport are equipped with non-engine drive means controllable to move them into and out of a parking orientation optimal for passenger transfer.

An airport terminal gate traffic management system is provided that maximizes efficiency and safety of passenger transfer and aircraft servicing and minimizes aircraft time parked at a terminal. Aircraft are driven forward into and out of gates by controllable landing gear wheel non-engine drive means and parked in a parallel or perpendicular orientation relative to the terminal that facilitates passenger transfer through a maximum number of aircraft doors. Passenger transfer and aircraft servicing may begin upon aircraft arrival using all available accessible aircraft doors. Departing aircraft may be turned by an unassisted pilot and driven forward with the controllable non-engine drive means to a takeoff runway. Airport terminal aircraft gate traffic is most effectively and efficiently managed when a significant number of aircraft using an airport are equipped with non-engine drive means controllable to move them into and out of a parking orientation optimal for passenger transfer.

A lift apparatus for telescopic passenger stairs enabling disabled passengers with impaired mobility to board a plane and to telescopic aeroplane passenger stairs with the said lift. The lift apparatus moves the lift regardless of the degree of extension of the telescopic staircase, with a moveable guide rail installed into a lower staircase, which can travel to the top of an upper staircase if needed. The guide rail in the lower part serves as a fixed guide rail for the lifting platform, onto which a passenger in a wheelchair is wheeled, wherein the platform moves along the guide rail. When the platform reaches the end of the guide rail, it is locked in place, after which the guide rail itself then moves along the track of the upper part of the staircase, wherein it is connected to the guide rail via wheels. The described movement is enabled by a system comprising an endless chain, guide rollers and wheels, a drive sprocket and a drive, and the said guide rail.