Intelligent aircraft ground support unit

Abstract

An aircraft ground support unit, which is mobile, for supplying a service to an aircraft on the ground according to a specific servicing program is provided that includes a GPS to identify an instantaneous position of the ground support unit, a receiver suitable for identifying an aircraft by receiving information emitted by a transponder of said aircraft including one or more of: an instantaneous GPS coordinates of an aircraft position, an identity of the aircraft, a type of aircraft, a company of the aircraft, or aircraft status data, and a microprocessor configured for calculating a distance, d, of the aircraft from the ground support unit, selecting a predefined specific servicing program stored in a database corresponding to the type and company of the thus identified aircraft, controlling the ground support unit to implement the thus selected specific servicing program, and logging aircraft and ground unit data for airlines optimization.

Claims

1. An aircraft ground support unit (1), which is mobile, for supplying a service to an aircraft (3) on the ground according to one of a plurality of specific servicing programs, said ground support unit comprising: (a) a global positioning system (GPS) to identify an instantaneous position of the ground support unit; (b) a receiver (5) suitable for identifying the aircraft (3) in motion or parked on the ground, by receiving information emitted by a transponder (7) of said aircraft including one or more of: instantaneous GPS coordinates of an aircraft position, an identity of the aircraft, a type of aircraft, a company fretting the aircraft, or aircraft status data; and (c) a microprocessor configured for, calculating a distance (d) of the aircraft from the ground support unit from the instantaneous GPS coordinates of said aircraft as emitted by the transponder (7) and from the identified instantaneous position based on GPS of the ground support unit; selecting a specific servicing program of the service from the plurality of specific servicing programs which is predefined and stored in a database, on the basis of the calculated distance and one or more of: the identity, the type, or the company of the aircraft identified by the receiver; controlling the ground support unit to implement the thus selected specific servicing program for supplying the service to the aircraft; and logging aircraft and ground unit data for airlines optimizations.

2. The ground support unit according to claim 1, selected from any one of a group consisting of: (a) a ground electrical power supply unit (1p); (b) a ground pneumatic or hydraulic power unit (1p); (c) a ground thermal heating unit for heating or cooling the aircraft (lac); (d) an aircraft push back and taxiing tractor (it); (e) an aircraft de-icing unit; (f) a ground fuel supply unit (1f); (g) a loading unit for loading cargo, baggage, catering, or equipment; or (h) a mobile aircraft passenger stairway (1s).

3. The ground support unit according to claim 2, wherein the specific servicing program includes one or more of the following parameters: (a) in the ground electrical power supply unit, one or more of: a supply time, a supply power, a supply energy, a current upper limit, a supply voltage, or a supply frequency; (b) in the ground pneumatic or hydraulic power supply unit, one or more of: a supply time, a supply power, a supply energy, a pneumatic or hydraulic pressure upper limit, or a supply flow; (c) in the ground thermal heating unit for heating or cooling the aircraft, one or more of: a supply time, a target temperature, a maximum allowed air blowing pressure, a maximum allowed blowing air flow rate, a minimum blowing air temperature, an aircraft mixing chamber defrosting cycle, a supply power, or a supply energy; (d) in the aircraft push back and taxiing tractor, one or more of: a maximum aircraft weight, a destination, a maximum pushing force, a maximum towing force, a maximum pushing speed, or a maximum towing speed; (e) in the aircraft de-icing unit, one or more of: a maximum aircraft height, a wings span, a recommended fluid quantity, a spraying flow rate and pressure, or allowed fluid types; (f) in the ground fuel supply unit, one or more of: a maximum fuel quantity, a fuel type, a height of a fuel tank inlet, or a size of a fuel tank inlet; or (g) in the loading unit for loading cargo, baggage, catering, or equipment, one or more of: a height of an access opening, or a size of the access opening.

4. The ground support unit according to claim 1 wherein the microprocessor is autonomous in that it can be in communication solely with the receiver and with operating functions of the ground support unit.

5. The ground support unit according to claim 1, wherein the microprocessor is in communication with a central processor (9) located remote from the ground support unit.

6. The ground support unit according to claim 1, wherein the microprocessor is configured for recording information including one or more of: an actual servicing time, an energy consumption, or an unexpected event including a technical problem arisen during servicing of an identified aircraft.

7. The ground support unit according to claim 6, wherein the microprocessor is configured for sending the thus recorded information to a central processor (9) located remote from the ground support unit, for further treatment, including one or more of: treatment of a problem with said ground support unit or establishment of an invoice.

8. The ground support unit according to claim 1, wherein the microprocessor is configured for receiving data from the transponder concerning an instant status of the aircraft comprising a value of one or more of: an instant temperature of a mixing chamber, an instant temperature of a cabin, an activation or not of an auxiliary power unit (APU), a level of remaining fuel in tanks, or a relative moisture in a cabin.

9. The ground support unit according to claim 8, wherein the microprocessor is configured for optimizing within a predefined range the servicing program selected as a function of the data received on the instant status of the aircraft.

10. The ground support unit according to claim 1, wherein the receiver is suitable for receiving information from the transponder (7) of a type automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B).

11. A method for supplying a service to a specific aircraft comprising: providing a ground support unit (1) and identifying an instantaneous position of the ground support unit based on global positioning system (GPS) coordinates; receiving information emitted by a transponder (7) of an aircraft (3) including instantaneous GPS coordinates of an aircraft position; calculating a distance (d) separating the ground support unit from the aircraft based on the respective instantaneous positions of the ground support unit and the aircraft as determined by the instantaneous GPS coordinates of the ground support unit and the aircraft (3); identifying the aircraft; using a receiver (5) for selecting a specific servicing program from a database to be used by the ground support unit (1) on said specific aircraft (3) on the ground, based on information received by said receiver that is emitted by said transponder (7) of said specific aircraft; and positioning said ground support unit adjacent to said specific aircraft for supplying the service to said specific aircraft on the ground according to said specific servicing program; and wherein the ground support unit comprises: (a) a global positioning system (GPS) to identify the instantaneous position of the ground support unit; (b) the receiver (5) suitable for identifying the aircraft (3) in motion or parked on the ground, by receiving information emitted by the transponder (7) of said aircraft including one or more of: instantaneous GPS coordinates of the aircraft position, an identity of the aircraft, a type of aircraft, a company fretting the aircraft, or aircraft status data; and (c) a microprocessor configured for, calculating a distance (d) of the aircraft from the ground support unit based on the GPS coordinates of both the aircraft and the ground support unit; selecting a specific servicing program of the service which is predefined and stored in a database, on the basis of the calculated distance and one or more of: the identity, the type, or the company of the aircraft identified by the receiver; controlling the ground support unit to implement the thus selected specific servicing program for supplying the service to the aircraft; and logging aircraft and ground unit data for airlines optimizations.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein said information further comprises data concerning an instant status of the aircraft comprising a value of one or more of: an instant temperature of a mixing chamber, an instant temperature of a cabin, an activation or not of an auxiliary power unit (APU), a level of remaining fuel in tanks, or a relative moisture in a cabin, and wherein said data is used to optimize the servicing program thus selected within a predefined range allowed by said servicing program.

13. The method according to claim 11, wherein said receiver is mounted either on said ground support unit, or at a parking station (11) of said ground support unit, where said ground support unit is stationed between two uses thereof.

14. The method according to claim 11, wherein said service and said specific servicing program are selected among one or more of: (a) supply of electrical power to the aircraft on the ground according to the specific servicing program including one or more of: a supply time, a supply power, a supply energy, a current upper limit, a supply voltage, or a supply frequency; (b) supply of pneumatic or hydraulic power to the aircraft on the ground according to the specific servicing program including one or more of: a supply time, a supply power, a supply energy, a pressure upper limit, or a supply flow; (c) supply or withdrawal of thermal energy for heating or cooling the aircraft on the ground according to the specific servicing program including one or more of: a supply time, a target temperature, a maximum allowed air blowing pressure, a maximum allowed blowing air flow rate, a minimum blowing air temperature, an aircraft mixing chamber defrosting cycle, a supply power, or a supply energy; (d) moving and taxiing the aircraft on the ground according to the specific servicing program including one or more of: a maximum aircraft weight, a destination, a maximum pushing force, a maximum towing force, a maximum pushing speed, or a maximum towing speed; (e) de-icing movable outer elements of the aircraft according to the specific servicing program including one or more of: a maximum aircraft height, a wings span, a recommended fluid quantity, or an allowed fluid type; (f) supply of fuel to the aircraft on the ground according to the specific servicing program including one or more of: a maximum fuel quantity, a fuel type, a height of a fuel tank inlet, or a size of the fuel tank inlet; (g) loading of cargo, catering, or equipment according to the specific servicing program including one or more of: a height of an access opening, or a size of the access opening; or (h) coupling a mobile aircraft passenger stairway according to the specific servicing program including access door height.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

(1) For a fuller understanding of the nature of the present invention, reference is made to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

(2) FIG. 1: shows a side view of an aircraft on the ground surrounded by a number of ground support units in communication with a transponder of the aircraft.

(3) FIG. 2: shows a top view of two aircrafts standing side by side on the ground, with two ground support units in communication with the transponders of each aircraft.

(4) FIG. 3: shows a top view of an aircraft on the ground surrounded by a number of ground support units either in direct communication with a transponder of the aircraft, or with a central server which is in direct communication with said transponder.

(5) FIG. 4: shows a side view of an aircraft on the ground which transponder is in direct communication with a parking station of a ground support unit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(6) As illustrated in FIG. 3, during its stay on the ground between a landing and a take-off, an aircraft must be serviced by a number of ground support units for providing the various services required for the functioning, comfort, and security of the aircraft. For example, FIG. 3 shows a power supply unit (1p) supplying the aircraft with electrical, pneumatic, or hydraulic power; the aircraft is re-fuelled with a refuelling truck (1f); a mobile stairway (1s) or a transit sleeve (not shown) must be coupled to a door of the aircraft to allow transit of the passengers; an air conditioning pipe (1ac) is coupled to a door of the aircraft to blow hot or cold air into the cockpit to control the temperature inside the aircraft; a taxiing or towing truck (1t) can move the aircraft to a desired location. Other services may be required which are not shown in FIG. 3. For example in case of freezing temperatures, some movable parts of the aircraft need be sprayed with a de-icing solution prior to take-off; cargoes, baggage, catering, or other equipment may have to be loaded via conveyor belts or rising platforms. Each of the foregoing services must be carried out according to an accurate servicing program established by each airline company depending on the aircraft model, or even depending on a specific aircraft as a function of its airport of origin, the next destination, the mileage since the last servicing, and the like.

(7) As discussed in the background art, prior to initiating a service, an operator must first identify the aircraft, enter the identification into a computer to retrieve the specific servicing program corresponding to the identified aircraft, and implement said servicing program into the ground support unit required for carrying out said service. This process is slow and open to many errors of transcriptions.

(8) The ground support unit operation might require aircraft status data to optimize operation (aircraft temperature, mixing chamber temperature, APU status . . . )

(9) To solve these problems, the present invention proposes an aircraft ground support unit (1) for supplying a service to an aircraft (3) on the ground according to a specific servicing program, wherein said ground support unit comprises:

(10) (a) A receiver (5) suitable for identifying an aircraft (3) in motion or parked on the ground by receiving information emitted by a transponder (7) of said aircraft including an instantaneous GPS coordinates of the position of the aircraft, the identity of the aircraft, the type of aircraft, and the company of the aircraft, (b) A microprocessor suitable for selecting and implementing a predefined servicing program stored in a database corresponding to the type and company of the thus identified aircraft (3) on the basis of the information received by the reception means.

(11) The receiver (5) allows for an instantaneous and error-free identification of a specific aircraft registration number, model, and company. This operation carried out manually is a great source of errors in the selection of the specific servicing program corresponding to said aircraft. The identification data of the specific aircraft are therefore entered into the system and supplied to the microprocessor without any human intervention. Based on the identification data thus received, the microprocessor retrieves the specific servicing program corresponding to the aircraft thus identified, and controls the ground support unit to implement the selected specific servicing program to the identified aircraft.

(12) In a preferred embodiment, a ground support unit is mobile and is equipped with a GPS to identify the instantaneous position thereof, and the microprocessor is able to calculate the distance, d, between said mobile ground support unit and the aircraft. The microprocessor of a ground support unit can be autonomous in that it can be in communication solely with the reception means and the operating functions of said ground support means. In a preferred embodiment, however, the microprocessor of a ground support unit is in communication with a central processor (9) located remote from the ground support unit. Said central processor is in communication with other ground support units and can optimize the interactions between different ground support units, or decide which unit is most suitable for servicing a given aircraft, depending on the servicing program required, on the distance to the aircraft, or on the need of an analogous service by another aircraft located nearby. This is schematically illustrated in FIG. 2, wherein a first ground support unit (1a) is located at a distance (da-a) from a first aircraft (3a) and at a distance (da-b) from a second aircraft (3b). A second ground support unit (1b) is located at a distance (db-b) to the second aircraft which is equal to the distance (da-b) from the first unit (1a). The distance (db-a) of the second unit (1b) to the first aircraft (3a), however, is much larger than the distance from the first unit (1a). In an embodiment of the present invention, the central processor compares the total distance (da-a+db-b) with the total distance (da-b+db-a) the first and second units (1a, 1b) must run depending on whether they are sent to the first or second aircraft (3a, 3b), and select the option yielding the shortest total distance. In the example illustrated in FIG. 2, (da-a+db-b)<(da-b+db-a), so that the central processor would send the first unit (1a) to service the first aircraft (3a) and the second unit (1b) to service the second aircraft (3b). In an alternative embodiment, the microprocessor of a given ground support unit can also be in communication with the microprocessors of other ground support units in the neighbourhood and exchange information.

(13) Beside the possible communication with a central processor or with other ground support units, and beside the speed and reliability of the selection and implementation of a specific servicing program to a specific aircraft, the present invention provides other advantages. For example, the microprocessor can record information including any unexpected event such as a technical problem arisen during servicing of an identified aircraft. This information can be automatically transferred to a technical team for rapidly treating an identified problem. Furthermore, all unexpected events and dates encountered by a ground support unit are stored and can be retrieved to assess the reliability of said unit.

(14) By establishing statistics on the frequency of use of a type of ground support units depending on the location thereof, the geographical distribution of the parking stations of the units can be optimized. An analysis of the most used ranges of values of the parameters defining a servicing program in a given geographical area of an airport may help in installing ground support units specifically designed for working in said ranges (e.g., power, height, fuel tank capacity, etc.).

(15) By recording the actual servicing time and energy consumption of a ground support unit, the clients may be invoiced instantaneously based on the actual work performed. If flat rates are applied, they can be adapted to better match the actual consumption of the units.

(16) The transponder can comprise numerous information concerning an aircraft, including data concerning the instant status of the aircraft. For example, the transponder can comprise a value of the instant temperature and/or relative humidity in a mixing chamber or in a cabin of an aircraft; it can comprise an actual value of the amount of fuel left in the tanks; it can indicate whether or not an auxiliary power unit (APU) is activated; and the like. With this information, the ground support unit can optimize the specific servicing program corresponding to an aircraft within a predefined range allowed by said servicing program. For example, if the instant temperature of the cabin or the mixing chamber is comprised within a certain range, the servicing program corresponding to the aircraft can be adapted by changing and optimizing the temperature of the cool air blown into the cabin by a preconditioned air ground unit (PCA). In another example, an aircraft with a large fuel capacity requiring a large fuel truck for refuelling may be serviced by a smaller truck in case the tanks are not empty.

(17) An APU (Auxiliary Power Unit) is a small turbine engine installed in the aircraft, used primarily during aircraft ground operation to provide electricity, compressed air, air conditioning, or shaft power. The APU has a high power consumption and if it is used by a pilot to cool the cabin, while a preconditioned air ground unit (PCA) is blowing cold air in the stale cabin at the same time, the power consumption is duplicated uselessly. The same applies with a ground power unit (GPU) which provides 400 Hz power to an aircraft, requiring no intervention from an APU. In a preferred embodiment, a ground support unit according to the present invention, in particular a PCA, or a ground power unit (GPU) can be informed by the transponder whether the APU is on or off. In case the APU is on, a message or signal can be sent to the pilot informing that the a PCA or GPU is coupled to the aircraft, while the APU is on, so that the pilot can decide whether or not to switch off the APU.

(18) The receiver (5) is preferably capable of receiving information emitted by the transponder of an aircraft from a distance of at least up to 30 m, preferably at least up to 50 m. Longer reception distances are not particularly required because an aircraft identified by a ground support unit at a greater distance is either still in motion and may be taxiing away from said unit, or if it is parked, it is probable that a second ground support unit located closer to said aircraft can be found. The reception distance of the receiver (5) of up to 50 m is desirable for mobile ground support units, which parking location can vary with time. For static ground support units such as a transfer sleeve for passenger's transit or a heating or cooling air supply pipe (lac) (often coupled to a transfer sleeve) only need shorter reception ranges, since the aircraft must park close by.

(19) The parameters defining a specific servicing program depend on the type of services supplied by a given ground support unit (1). Table 1 lists a number of non-exhaustive examples of parameters defining a specific servicing program depending on the type of services provided by the ground support unit.

(20) TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 examples of parameters defining a servicing program as a function of the type of ground support unit. Ground support unit parameters defining a servicing program (a) electrical power a supply time, supply unit a supply power a supply energy a current upper limit a supply voltage a supply frequency (b) pneumatic or hydraulic a supply time power supply unit a supply power a supply energy a pressure upper limit a supply flow (c) thermal heating unit a supply time a target temperature a maximum allowed air blowing pressure a maximum allowed blowing air flow rate a minimum blowing air temperature an aircraft mixing chamber defrosting cycle a supply power, a supply energy (d) towing and taxiing maximum aircraft weight tractor maximum speed allowed destination maximum pushing/towing force (e) de-icing unit maximum aircraft height wings span, recommended fluid quantity Spraying flow rate and pressure allowed fluid type (f) fuel supply unit maximum fuel quantity, fuel type, height of the fuel tanks inlets size of the fuel tank inlet (g) loading unit height of the access opening size of the access opening (h) aircraft passenger access door height stairway or transit sleeve

(21) Receiver (5) of a ground support unit according to the present invention is well known in the art and are readily available on the market. The air traffic control services routinely use such receivers for receiving signals from aircraft transponders and thus identifying the instantaneous GPS coordinates of the positions of the aircrafts. Aircrafts positions can be visualized in real time on any computer via commercial aviation tracking websites. There are different types of transponders mounted on aircrafts. To date, it would seem that ADS—B type transponders (=automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast) provide most benefits to both pilots and air traffic control, and are currently considered as improving both the safety and efficiency of flight. This type of transponders may possibly be imposed as a norm in the future. For this reason, the receiver (5) of a ground support unit according to the present invention should preferably be suitable for receiving information from a transponder of the type ADS-B. It is clear that as technology evolves, new systems will emerge, and the reception means will then have to be suitable for communicating with such new systems.

(22) In 2002 the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced a decision to use the 1090 MHz extended squitter (1090 ES) link for air carriers and operators of high-performance aircrafts as a physical layer for relaying ADS-B position reports. Again, the receiver of a ground support unit according to the present invention should preferably be suitable for receiving signals of the type 1090 MHz extended. As legislation evolves and new links are imposed, the receiver will have to adapt to the new systems. Universal access transceiver links was imposed for the typical general aviation users. A receiver suitable for the present invention should therefore preferably also be compatible with universal access transceiver links.

(23) The use of a receiver (5) for automatically defining a servicing program to be used by a ground support unit (1) on a specific aircraft (3) on the ground, based on information received from said reception means emitted by a transponder of said specific aircraft is novel and advantageous over the existing systems which are slower and prone to human errors. Said receiver (5) can be mounted either on said ground support unit itself (cf. FIG. 1), or at a parking station (11) of said ground support unit, where said ground support unit is stationed between two uses thereof (cf. FIG. 4). It is also possible to mount the reception means on a central processor (9) which is in communication with a fleet of ground support units. The central processor determines which ground support units are to service given aircrafts and identifies the specific servicing programs to be implemented by said ground support units.

(24) In an alternative embodiment, the central processor (9) follows the GPS position coordinates of the aircrafts on the ground, as well of the ground support units, and follows whether the latter are in operating mode or in rest mode. Even without any specific signal from the ground support units indicating that they are servicing a specific aircraft, the central processor can determine that a specific ground support unit is servicing a specific aircraft, if the distance, d, separating them is less than a predefined value (e.g., d<10 m) and if said specific ground support unit is in operating mode. This allows to have an instantaneous picture of the positions and activities of the various ground support units, which is useful for the management of the fleet of ground support units.

(25) TABLE-US-00002 REF DESCRIPTION  1 aircraft ground support unit  1a first aircraft ground support unit  1ac heating or cooling air supply pipe  1b second aircraft ground support unit  1f refuelling truck  1p electrical or pneumatic power supply unit  1s mobile stairway for passengers  1t taxiing or towing truck  3 aircraft  3a first aircraft  3b second aircraft  5 Reception means  7 transponder  9 central processor 11 parking station for ground support unit d distance between a ground support unit and an aircraft da-a distance between a first ground support unit and first aircraft da-b distance between first ground support unit and second aircraft db-a distance between a second ground support unit and first aircraft db-b distance between second ground support unit and second aircraft