Abstract: A bidirectional latching device for securing a cargo in a vehicle may have a latch catch assembly and a latch head. The latch catch assembly may selectably engage with the latch head. When engaged with the latch head, the latch catch assembly may lock the latch head in position to resist movement and the latch head may secure the cargo in the vehicle. When disengaged from the latch head, the latch catch assembly may release the latch head and the latch head may move to a stowed position. The latch catch assembly may lock the latch head to resist movement in one or more directions of movement. The latch head may be shaped to secure the cargo in the vehicle in at least two directions. Thus, cargo may be secured more efficiently by requiring a reduced number of latch devices because the disclosed latch device is bidirectional.

Abstract: A mobile cargo controller for a cargo handling system is disclosed, and may include an inertial measurement unit(s), a plurality of cargo zone selectors, a plurality of cargo zone indicators, and a cargo motion controller(s). Different combinations of one or more of the cargo zone selectors are activatable to correspond with different cargo zones of a cargo compartment (e.g., for an aircraft). Each cargo zone that is selected or activated through actuation of one or more of the cargo zone selectors activates each corresponding cargo zone indicator based upon a current orientation of the mobile cargo controller. As such, the particular cargo zone indicator(s) that is/are activated to identify a particular active cargo zone to an operator will differ for different orientations of the mobile cargo controller.

Abstract: A cargo handling system is disclosed. In various embodiments, the system includes a wireless mobile maintenance display unit; a line replaceable unit; a data device configured to provide an operational status data concerning the line replaceable unit to the wireless mobile maintenance display unit; a first server configured to store a catalog of parts for repairing the line replaceable unit; and a system controller configured to communicate with a source of replacement parts for the line replaceable unit.

Abstract: A quick-connect fitting for a convertible cargo handling assembly may comprise a fixed portion and a coupling component. The fixed portion may be secured to an aircraft frame structure. The coupling component may be coupled to a removable cargo handling component. The coupling component may be configured to rotate relative to the fixed portion.

Abstract: A method may comprise: receiving, via a controller and through a camera, visual data corresponding to a row of latch assemblies in a cargo handling system; and determining, via the controller, whether each latch assembly in the row of latch assemblies is in a properly securing state.

Abstract: A quick-connect fitting for a convertible cargo handling assembly may comprise a fixed portion and a coupling component. The fixed portion may be secured to an aircraft frame structure. The coupling component may be coupled to a removable cargo handling component. The coupling component may be configured to rotate relative to the fixed portion.

Abstract: A cargo handling system is disclosed. A method for storing and restraining cargo is disclosed. The method includes positioning a unit load device at a parked location on a conveyance surface and in contact with a drive roller, deploying a restraint to engage the unit load device, and verifying engagement of the restraint with the unit load device by activating the drive roller and detecting movement of the unit load device with respect to the conveyance surface.

Abstract: A convertible cargo handling assembly may comprise a mat, a fitting, and a removable cargo handling component. The fitting may include a fixed component and a coupling component. The fixed component may be located in an opening defined by the mat. The removable cargo handling component may be located over the mat and removably coupled to the fixed portion of the fitting via a coupling between the coupling component and the fixed component.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of operating a Portable Cargo Panel (PCP) for an aircraft, including: detecting a gesture on a display of the PCP; determining that the gesture is a command to view on the display a first cargo compartment; securing a wireless connection with the first control panel therein; receiving, from the first control panel, a health state of each of a plurality of Cargo Handling Units (CHUs) therein; displaying, on the display, the first cargo compartment with the plurality of CHUs and the operational state of the plurality of CHUs; controlling one or more of the CHUs in the first cargo compartment by transmitting, to the first control panel, a command to: run a diagnostic test against the one or more of the plurality of CHUs; or control the plurality of CHUs to move a Unit Load Device (ULD) into, within or out of the first cargo compartment.

Abstract: A cargo handling system is disclosed. In various embodiments, the cargo handling system includes a power drive unit having a drive roller configured to impart movement to a unit load device; a first restraint; and a first sensor configured to detect movement of the unit load device with respect to a parked location following deployment of the first restraint and activation of the drive roller.

Abstract: A tire may comprise a hub and a plurality of discrete traction elements coupled to the hub. Each of the traction elements may comprise a backing plate and an elastomeric material bonded to the backing plate. Circumferentially adjacent traction elements may axially overlap.

Abstract: A cargo restraint system comprises a plurality of cargo restraint assemblies. Each cargo restraint assembly in the plurality of cargo restraint assemblies may be removably coupled to a cargo deck in various configurations. The plurality of cargo restraint assemblies may be reconfigurable based on a size of a plurality of unit load devices (ULDs) to be loaded and restrained. Each cargo restraint assembly may restrain four or fewer corners of respective ULDs simultaneously.

Abstract: A cargo handling system may comprise a plurality of trays and a topskin. The plurality of trays may structurally support the topskin. The plurality of trays may be contiguously covered. The plurality of trays may be partially covered by the topskin. At least one of a ball transfer unit (BTU) or a roller assembly may be configured to be coupled to the topskin and/or disposed within a groove of a tray in the plurality of trays.

Abstract: A cargo handling system includes a conveyance surface; a first power drive unit having a first drive roller; a first restraint device; one or more sensors configured to provide positional data corresponding to a current location of a unit load device on the conveyance surface; and a first power drive unit agent configured for communication with the one or more sensors, the first power drive unit agent configured to selectively activate and deactivate the first drive roller and the first restraint device based on the positional data.

Abstract: A cargo handling system includes a conveyance surface; a first power drive unit having a first drive roller; a first restraint device; one or more sensors configured to provide positional data corresponding to a current location of a unit load device on the conveyance surface; a first power drive unit controller configured for communication with the one or more sensors, the first power drive unit configured to selectively activate and deactivate the first drive roller and the first restraint device based on the positional data and a second power drive unit and a second power drive unit controller configured for communication with the sensor, the second power drive unit controller configured to selectively activate and deactivate a second drive roller based on the positional data.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of operating a Portable Cargo Panel (PCP) for an aircraft, including: detecting a gesture on a display of the PCP; determining that the gesture is a command to view on the display a first cargo compartment; securing a wireless connection with the first control panel therein; receiving, from the first control panel, a health state of each of a plurality of Cargo Handling Units (CHUs) therein; displaying, on the display, the first cargo compartment with the plurality of CHUs and the operational state of the plurality of CHUs; controlling one or more of the CHUs in the first cargo compartment by transmitting, to the first control panel, a command to: run a diagnostic test against the one or more of the plurality of CHUs; or control the plurality of CHUs to move a Unit Load Device (ULD) into, within or out of the first cargo compartment.

Abstract: A cargo handling system is disclosed. In various embodiments, the system includes a wireless mobile maintenance display unit; a line replaceable unit; a data device configured to provide an operational status data concerning the line replaceable unit to the wireless mobile maintenance display unit; a first server configured to store a catalog of parts for repairing the line replaceable unit; and a system controller configured to communicate with a source of replacement parts for the line replaceable unit.

Abstract: A cargo handling system is disclosed. In various embodiments, the system includes a wireless mobile maintenance display unit; a first line replaceable unit; and a first data device configured to provide a first operational status data concerning the first line replaceable unit to the wireless mobile maintenance display unit.

Abstract: A cargo handling system is disclosed. In various embodiments, the cargo handling system includes a conveyance surface having a tray defining an interior section and a rail section; a power drive unit disposed within the interior section; and a power bus routed along a length of the rail section and configured to supply power to the power drive unit.

Abstract: A system for estimating mass of a ULD while on-board a vessel includes a system controller energizing one or more PDUs in communication with a conveyance surface of the vessel, the PDUs applying first and second forces to the ULD and transmitting first and second force parameters to a system integrator, one or more sensors measuring first and second accelerations of the ULD when the ULD moves into one or more sensing zones as a result of the forces and transmits first and second acceleration parameters to the system integrator, and the system integrator, which receives the first and second force parameters, and the first and second acceleration parameters, and calculates the mass of the ULD while the ULD is on-board the vessel by performing regression analysis on ordered pairs including the first force parameter and the first acceleration parameter, and the second force parameter and the second acceleration parameter.