Abstract: A power drive unit (PDU) for moving cargo within an aircraft includes an actuator configured to move a unit load device (ULD) relative to the PDU. The PDU also includes a network access device configured to receive a second PDU state corresponding to a second PDU, and to transmit data. The PDU also includes a controller configured to determine a current state of the PDU based on sensor data corresponding to presence of the ULD above the PDU and the second PDU state, and to control the actuator based on the current state of the PDU.

Abstract: A power drive unit (PDU) for moving cargo within an aircraft includes an actuator configured to move a unit load device (ULD) relative to the PDU. The PDU also includes a network access device configured to receive a second PDU state corresponding to a second PDU, and to transmit data. The PDU also includes a controller configured to determine a current state of the PDU based on sensor data corresponding to presence of the ULD above the PDU and the second PDU state, and to control the actuator based on the current state of the PDU.

Abstract: A power drive unit (PDU) includes a light source configured to generate light as pulses with pulse intervals between the pulses. The PDU also includes a light driver configured to control the light source to generate the light at a desired intensity. The PDU also includes a light receiver configured to receive a reflection of the light. The PDU also includes a processor coupled to the light receiver and configured to determine whether the cargo is positioned on the PDU based on the reflection of the light. The PDU also includes a light controller coupled to the processor and the light driver and configured to determine an adjustment to the desired intensity of the light generated by the light source based on an intensity of the reflection of the light and whether the light source is generating a pulse or a pulse interval.

Abstract: A cargo handling system includes a power drive unit (PDU) configured to transport cargo within an aircraft. The cargo handling system further includes a cargo control unit (CCU) configured to output control data for controlling operation of the PDU. The cargo handling system further includes a power control unit (PCU) coupled to the PDU and the CCU. The PCU is designed to receive alternating current (AC) electrical power from a power source, convert the AC electrical power into direct current (DC) electrical power, receive the control data from the CCU, generate an output signal including the DC electrical power and the control data, and transmit the output signal to the PDU.

Abstract: Disclosed is a powered transport cargo system, and a method of retrofitting a powered transport cargo system that includes braking rollers. The method includes replacing a power drive unit (PDU) of the powered transport cargo system with a PDU including a permanent magnet motor (PMM), and removing a braking roller from the powered transport cargo system.

Abstract: A unit load device (ULD) sensor for detecting presence and movement of cargo within an aircraft includes a light source designed to generate light as pulses with pulse intervals between the pulses and having a source lens designed to focus the light towards a first point that is a first distance away from the source lens. The ULD sensor also includes a light receiver having a light detector designed to receive a reflection of the light and a receiver lens designed to focus the reflection of the light towards a second point that is towards the light detector and a second distance away from the receiver lens. The second distance is different than the first distance and the detected reflection of the light is usable to determine the presence and the movement of the cargo.

Abstract: A power drive unit (PDU) includes a light source configured to generate light as pulses with pulse intervals between the pulses. The PDU also includes a light driver configured to control the light source to generate the light at a desired intensity. The PDU also includes a light receiver configured to receive a reflection of the light. The PDU also includes a processor coupled to the light receiver and configured to determine whether the cargo is positioned on the PDU based on the reflection of the light. The PDU also includes a light controller coupled to the processor and the light driver and configured to determine an adjustment to the desired intensity of the light generated by the light source based on an intensity of the reflection of the light and whether the light source is generating a pulse or a pulse interval.

Abstract: A unit load device (ULD) sensor for detecting presence and movement of cargo within an aircraft includes a light source designed to generate light as pulses with pulse intervals between the pulses and having a source lens designed to focus the light towards a first point that is a first distance away from the source lens. The ULD sensor also includes a light receiver having a light detector designed to receive a reflection of the light and a receiver lens designed to focus the reflection of the light towards a second point that is towards the light detector and a second distance away from the receiver lens. The second distance is different than the first distance and the detected reflection of the light is usable to determine the presence and the movement of the cargo.

Abstract: A cargo handling system may have power drive unit (PDU), which may include a motor and a PDU controller. The PDU controller may be in communication with the motor and configured to receive a command signal including an address corresponding to a location of the PDU. The PDU controller may comprise a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader. The PDU controller may be configured to determine the location of the PDU by reading an RFID tag.

Abstract: A power drive unit (PDU) for moving cargo relative to a cargo bay of an aircraft includes a cam shaft. The PDU also includes a lift cam coupled to the cam shaft and configured to cause the PDU to be in at least one of a raised position or a lowered position based on rotation of the cam shaft. The PDU also includes a permanent magnet motor configured to generate a cogging torque sufficient to resist rotation of the cam shaft such that the PDU remains in the raised position in response to power being removed from the permanent magnet motor.

Abstract: Systems for exchanging information between a cargo handling system of an aircraft and a Power Drive Unit (PDU) are described herein. The systems include a power source provided within the aircraft and a first PDU provided within the aircraft. The power source is capable of providing DC power to the at least one PDU via an electrical power line. The power source further including a first Power Line Communication (PLC) node and the PDU further including a second Power Line Communication (PLC) node. The first PLC node being capable of communicating with the second PLC node via the electrical power line.

Abstract: Disclosed is a powered transport cargo system, and a method of retrofitting a powered transport cargo system that includes braking rollers. The method includes replacing a power drive unit (PDU) of the powered transport cargo system with a PDU including a permanent magnet motor (PMM), and removing a braking roller from the powered transport cargo system.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cargo handling system, and a power drive unit (PDU) for a cargo handling system, wherein the PDU comprises a permanent magnet motor (PMM) and is designed to provide a first static restraint braking function effectuated by designing the PMM to have a high cogging torque, and a second dynamic control braking function effectuated by motor regeneration.

Abstract: A power drive unit (PDU) for moving cargo relative to a cargo bay of an aircraft includes a cam shaft. The PDU also includes a lift cam coupled to the cam shaft and configured to cause the PDU to be in at least one of a raised position or a lowered position based on rotation of the cam shaft. The PDU also includes a permanent magnet motor configured to generate a cogging torque sufficient to resist rotation of the cam shaft such that the PDU remains in the raised position in response to power being removed from the permanent magnet motor.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cargo handling system, and a power drive unit (PDU) for a cargo handling system, wherein the PDU comprises a permanent magnet motor (PMM) and is designed to provide a first static restraint braking function effectuated by designing the PMM to have a high cogging torque, and a second dynamic control braking function effectuated by motor regeneration.

Abstract: A cargo loading system may comprise a non-transitory memory communicating with a processor, the non-transitory memory having instructions stored thereon that, in response to execution by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations. The operations may comprise partitioning a cargo hold into a forward partition and an aft partition, reading a first input from a first joystick and a second input from a second joystick, mapping the first input to a first power drive unit (PDU) in the forward partition, and mapping the second input to a second PDU in the aft partition.

Abstract: A cargo loading system may comprise a non-transitory memory communicating with a processor, the non-transitory memory having instructions stored thereon that, in response to execution by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations. The operations may comprise partitioning a cargo hold into a forward partition and an aft partition, reading a first input from a first joystick and a second input from a second joystick, mapping the first input to a first power drive unit (PDU) in the forward partition, and mapping the second input to a second PDU in the aft partition.

Abstract: A system is provided in which a control module may include a user interface configurable to receive input and display hydraulic control settings, wherein the hydraulic control settings include at least a hydraulic pressure setting and a hydraulic flow setting. The control module may also include a processor executable to convert the hydraulic control settings to corresponding electrical currents, wherein the electrical currents correspond to at least the hydraulic pressure setting and the hydraulic flow setting. The control module may also include one or more communication interfaces coupled to the processor configurable to output the electrical currents to the hydraulic circuit to control hydraulics that operate one or more attachments of a machine.

Abstract: A system is provided in which a control module may include a user interface configurable to receive input and display hydraulic control settings, wherein the hydraulic control settings include at least a hydraulic pressure setting and a hydraulic flow setting. The control module may also include a processor executable to convert the hydraulic control settings to corresponding electrical currents, wherein the electrical currents correspond to at least the hydraulic pressure setting and the hydraulic flow setting. The control module may also include one or more communication interfaces coupled to the processor configurable to output the electrical currents to the hydraulic circuit to control hydraulics that operate one or more attachments of a machine.