Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and controller for controlling power allocation in an overdemand situation of at least a passenger loading bridge. A requested amount of power and an amount of power available are determined. The amount of power available and less than the amount of power required is then apportioned on a prioritized basis amongst systems of the at least a passenger loading bridge demanding power to result in a load of the at least a passenger loading bridge requiring no more than the power available and to provide sufficient power to account for one of minimum requirements, operational requirements and ideal requirements for each system based on an operational mode of the at least a passenger loading bridge. The amount of power for provision to each system is determined in dependence upon a priority of the system for the operation of the at least a passenger loading bridge in a predetermined mode of operation.

Abstract: A method and system for parking aircraft at an airport terminal having a plurality of passenger loading bridges is disclosed. According to the invention, a parking space is defined at the terminal for an aircraft of a known type, such that at least a desired clearance is maintained between the aircraft of the known type and all other aircraft parked at the terminal. To this end, a passenger loading bridge associated with the defined parking space is moved so as to accommodate the known type of an aircraft at the defined parking space while maintaining the at least a desired clearance to all other aircraft parked at the terminal. In particular, at different instances of time for different instances of the known type of an aircraft, the associated passenger loading bridge is moved to substantially different locations to accommodate different defined parking spaces.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for automatically aligning an end of a passenger boarding bridge with a doorway of an aircraft. A beacon is transmitted from a predetermined location aboard the aircraft, such as within a window proximate a doorway of the aircraft. The beacon is sensed and from the sensed beacon a direction for moving of the end of the passenger boarding bridge is determined. The passenger boarding bridge is then moved according to the determined direction. The process is iterated until the docking of the bridge to the aircraft is completed.

Abstract: Disclosed is an overhead adjustable support system for use with an aircraft passenger boarding bridge, and especially for use with an aircraft passenger boarding bridge having at least two tunnel sections disposed one each on opposite sides of a flexible connection. A preferred embodiment of the overhead adjustable support system includes a first support member for being mounted to one of the at least two tunnel sections at a first point proximate the flexible connection. The first support member also has a free end for being disposed elevationally above the one of the at least two tunnel sections. The overhead adjustable support system also includes a second support member for being mounted to the other one of the at least two tunnel sections at a second point proximate the flexible connection, and has a free end for being disposed elevationally above the other one of the at least two tunnel sections.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and system for aligning a door of an aircraft to a passenger loading bridge. A final parking position of the aircraft is defined as being immediately adjacent to a position of the passenger loading bridge, such that when the aircraft is stopped at the final parking position, the passenger loading bridge requires only a telescopic extension of less than about 1 meter to complete the alignment operation. To this end, an indicating device that works cooperatively with an aircraft-engaging end of the passenger loading bridge is provided for displaying human intelligible instructions for use by a pilot of the aircraft to guide the aircraft to the final parking position.

Abstract: A novel apparatus for moving passengers between an airport terminal building and a doorway of an aircraft located rearward of a wing of the aircraft. The inventive apparatus includes a passageway member pivotally anchored to one of the terminal building and a passenger loading bridge for servicing a front doorway of a same aircraft. The apparatus includes a telescopic passageway member that is pivotally mounted to the passageway member via a flexible connection. In use, the apparatus is cantilevered over the wing of an aircraft with the flexible connection substantially above a highest point along an upper surface of the aircraft wing. The flexible connection allows a cabin carried at an outboard end of the telescopic passageway member to mate to the rear doorway of the aircraft, providing an open passageway between the rear doorway and the terminal building through which passengers deplane.

Abstract: Disclosed is an adjustable cab including an adjustable cab floor engagement assembly for use with a passenger loading bridge to service a plurality of different aircraft types, each different aircraft type having a different doorway configuration. The adjustable cab floor engagement assembly includes upper and lower floor members, which are moveable one relative to the other, to provide a plurality of different floor configurations. A light-weight, flip up panel is provided along a leading edge of the assembly, which pivots upwardly upon contact with a portion of the aircraft to avoid damaging either one of the assembly or the aircraft. The adjustable cab includes an auto-leveling structure to provide a level surface for passengers entering and exiting the aircraft.

Abstract: A system for aligning one end of a passenger loading bridge to an aircraft having a doorway is provided. A transmitter is disposed within a space of a side-wall of an aircraft, the side-wall including an inner wall defining an interior surface of the side-wall and an outer wall defining an exterior surface of the side-wall, the inner wall and the outer wall disposed in a spaced-apart arrangement one relative to the other, so as to define the space therebetween. The transmitter is for providing an electromagnetic signal including a homing signal for use during an operation for aligning the one end of the passenger loading bridge to the doorway of the aircraft. A receiver is disposed about a point having a known location relative to the one end of the passenger loading bridge, for receiving the electromagnetic signal transmitted from the transmitter, and for providing an electrical output signal relating to the electromagnetic signal.

Abstract: An apparatus for moving passengers between an airport terminal building and a doorway of an aircraft located rearward of a wing of the aircraft, including a passageway member pivotally anchored to one of the terminal building and a passenger loading bridge for servicing a front doorway of a same aircraft. The apparatus a telescopic passageway member is pivotally mounted to the passageway member via a flexible connection. In use, the apparatus is cantilevered over the wing of an aircraft with the flexible connection substantially above a highest point along an upper surface of the aircraft wing. The flexible connection allows a cabin carried at an outboard end of the telescopic passageway member to mate to the rear doorway of the aircraft, providing an open passageway between the rear doorway and the terminal building through which passengers deplane. Positioning the flexible connection above the high point of the wing approximately minimizes the inclination of each passageway member floor surface.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and system for aligning a door of an aircraft to a passenger loading bridge. A final parking position of the aircraft is defined as being immediately adjacent to a position of the passenger loading bridge, such that when the aircraft is stopped at the final parking position, the passenger loading bridge requires only a telescopic extension of less than about 1 meter to complete the alignment operation. To this end, an indicating device that works cooperatively with an aircraft-engaging end of the passenger loading bridge is provided for displaying human intelligible instructions for use by a pilot of the aircraft to guide the aircraft to the final parking position.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for automatically aligning an end of a passenger loading bridge with a doorway of an aircraft. A beacon is transmitted from the doorway of the aircraft. The location is sensed and from the sensed beacon a direction for moving of the end of the passenger loading bridge is determined. The passenger loading bridge is then moved according to the determined direction. The process is iterated until the docking of the bridge to the aircraft is completed.

Abstract: A cab for a commercial aircraft passenger boarding bridge includes a passageway having a floor, a ceiling opposing the floor, a first sidewall, and a second sidewall opposing the first sidewall. A second frame is coupled to the first sidewall and a first frame is coupled to at least one of the floor, the ceiling, and the second sidewall. At least one of the first and second frames are for being attached to the walkway opposite end in a manner to support lateral movement of the second frame relative to the walkway opposite end and relative to the first frame, so as to permit lateral movement of the first sidewall relative to the at least one of the floor, the ceiling, and the second sidewall.

Abstract: Disclosure is a system and method for automatically aligning an end of a passenger loading bridge with a doorway of an aircraft. A beacon is transmitted from the doorway of the aircraft. The beacon is sensed and from the sensed beacon a direction for moving of the end of the passenger loading bridge is determined. The passenger loading bridge is then moved according to the determined direction. The process is iterated until the docking of the bridge to the aircraft is completed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for automatically aligning a passenger bridge to a door of an aircraft. The apparatus includes a sensor in the form of a laser range finder, a local computer for receiving signals from the sensor and for controlling bridge movement in dependence thereof, and memory storage for storing data relating to features of aircraft models with which the bridge is to be connected. Automated bridge alignment proceeds under the control of the local computer in dependence upon a determined error factor exceeding a predetermined minimum threshold value, which value is one of a default value and a value specified by a user of the apparatus. Accordingly, the instant invention permits different airlines to accept varying levels of risk associated with automatic bridge alignment.

Abstract: A failsafe support for use with a height adjustable passenger loading bridge. A main support member supports the weight of a passenger loading bridge passageway under normal operating conditions. The failsafe support includes a self-arresting mechanism for varying a length of a height-adjusting portion of the failsafe support in order to raise and lower a support portion of the failsafe support. The support portion is positionable adjacent to and spaced apart from a lower surface of the passenger loading bridge passageway, for supporting the weight of the passageway in the event of a failure of the main support member. The self-arresting mechanism prevents the passageway of the passenger loading bridge from descending to a level below the support portion.

Abstract: A system for automatically retracting a passenger loading bridge from an engaged position relative to an aircraft having a door, the aircraft being releasably connectable to a service provider is disclosed. The system comprising at least a sensor for detecting one of a plurality of predetermined events other than a user input at an input device coupled thereto and for providing a signal in dependence upon said detected predetermined events; and a bridge actuator in operative communication with the at least a sensor for receiving the signal and for automatically performing a retraction movement in order to retract the bridge from the aircraft in response to the signal indicative of one of the plurality of predetermined events being sensed.

Abstract: When a loading bridge is connected to a small aircraft to allow passengers to board or deplane, a large size difference exists between the aperture of a loading bridge and the entry/exit hatch of a small aircraft; the loading bridge aperture being larger than the aircraft hatch. Accordingly, the size difference creates a potentially dangerous gap. The extensible platform on an extensible passenger loading bridge is for alleviating the gap and as such for providing a safe pathway to passengers when they board or deplane.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for automatically aligning an end of a passenger loading bridge with a doorway of an aircraft. A beacon is transmitted from the doorway of the aircraft. The beacon is sensed and from the sensed beacon a direction for moving of the end of the passenger loading bridge is determined. The passenger loading bridge is then moved according to the determined direction. The process is iterated until the docking of the bridge to the aircraft is completed.

Abstract: A detector equipped with force feedback for detecting detonatable devices such as land mines is disclosed. The detector includes a rod having a tip for placing beneath the surface of the ground and for contacting unknown objects. The tip ultrasonically provides an indication of the presence of a metal or plastic material. Means for providing a plurality of ultrasonic signals, each signal of a different frequency, to the unknown object via a single rod is used to compensate the device during use against unknown pressures applied to the rod beneath the surface of the ground.

Abstract: A detector for detecting detonatable devices such as land mines has a search head with a probe having a tip for placing beneath the surface of the ground. The probe tip ultrasonically provides an indication of the presence of a metal or plastic material. A force sensor coupled to the probe time provides an indication of force at the tip a it is placed beneath the ground surface. Therefore, before too much force is applied to the tip, a user is warned and accidental detonation may be prevented.