Abstract: A clutch assembly for an aircraft drive wheel drive system to move an aircraft independently on the ground is provided. The clutch is mounted within an aircraft drive wheel to be operatively engaged and disengaged to selectively actuate a roller traction or other drive system to activate a non-engine drive means to drive the wheel and the aircraft. One embodiment of the clutch assembly includes a plurality of pivoted sprag elements selectively activatable to transmit torque between inner and outer clutch members and activate the drive wheel drive system. The clutch assembly may also include mating crown gear and straight gear elements integrated with the drive system to reduce stresses on the drive system as the drive means is actuated. Various arrangements of sprags and clutch assembly components may be provided to monitor and selectively control disengagement of the clutch assembly and communicate disengagement to selectively prevent drive system actuation.

Abstract: An aircraft passenger boarding system is provided for aircraft equipped for pilot-controllable engines-off taxi that enables a pilot to drive the aircraft without engines in a forward direction into and out of an optimum parallel or angled gate parking orientation that permits terminal connections to both forward and aft doors on a terminal-facing side of the aircraft. Selected defined classes of passengers board the aircraft separately, through a designated loading bridge connected to a forward door or through a designated loading bridge connected to an aft door, to be seated in a designated front or rear aircraft section. An airline may flexibly allocate variably sized sections of the aircraft interior for each defined class, depending on the relative numbers of passengers in each class. Airport terminal interior gate space may be used to separate passenger classes as required for separate boarding through a forward door or an aft door.

Abstract: A vehicle wheel drive assembly, particularly useful in an aircraft, is provided. The vehicle wheel drive assembly is mounted completely within a space defined by structural dimensions of a vehicle wheel and includes a drive means controllable to power the wheel and move the vehicle autonomously on a ground surface, a gear assembly drivingly connected to the drive means, and a clutch assembly operatively connected to the gear assembly. The clutch assembly is operatively mounted with respect to the gear assembly completely within an interior portion of a vehicle wheel axle on which the wheel drive assembly is mounted, thereby maximizing the space functionally available for all of the other components of the wheel drive assembly.

Abstract: An aircraft drive wheel drive system is provided with a torque coupling clutch assembly that transfers torque to a roller traction drive system actuating a non-engine drive means to drive an aircraft landing gear wheel and move the aircraft autonomously in a desired ground direction and at a desired ground speed. The wheel drive system and clutch assembly are mounted completely within the wheel where the clutch assembly is selectively engaged to control torque transmission to the drive system, which selectively transfers actuating torque to the non-engine drive means. A preferred selectable one way clutch is adapted to controllably transfer torque to the wheel drive system and has both failsafe overrunning and selective engagement capability in one or both rotational directions so that torque required to drive the aircraft wheel and move the aircraft at a desired ground speed and direction is transferred only when required by aircraft operating conditions.

Abstract: A method for improving ground movement capability and enhancing stealth in unmanned aerial vehicles is provided. The present method comprises providing, in an unmanned aerial vehicle equipped with wheels, one or more onboard drive means capable of translating torque through the vehicle wheels and controllable to move the unmanned aerial vehicle on the ground without reliance on the unmanned aerial vehicle main motive power source. The onboard drive means is controllably powered by a power source with substantially no acoustic signature to move the unmanned aerial vehicle quietly on the ground with only a minimal audible or visible footprint. This method provides a significant expansion of ground movement capability and expands the potential ground uses of unmanned aerial vehicles, particularly in military applications. The present method can also be applied to move any manned aerial vehicle or aircraft on the ground with only minimal audible or visible footprints.

Abstract: A powered clutch assembly is provided for an aircraft landing gear or other vehicle wheel drive system equipped with wheel drive motors controllable to move the aircraft or vehicle during ground travel. Electric power for the clutch assembly is transferred to clutch actuation elements by a rotary power transfer assembly mounted between stationary and rotating elements within the landing gear wheel drive system to clutch actuation elements. Actuation elements are powered to securely lock clutch rotating elements when required to improve the reliability of failsafe operation of the clutch assembly when torque should not be transferred and to unlock clutch rotating elements when torque should be transferred when the landing gear wheel drive system is used to drive the aircraft during ground travel. Power transferred from the rotary power transfer assembly may also be used to operate components associated with the aircraft drive wheel other than the powered clutch assembly.

Abstract: A method is provided for maximizing efficiency of ground travel in aircraft equipped with landing gear wheel-mounted non-engine drive motors for autonomous ground travel. Selective operation of the non-engine drive motors and selective operation of the aircraft's engines are integrated to power aircraft movement when different ground travel speeds or airport ground travel conditions require operation of engines or non-engine drive motors for optimal efficiency of aircraft ground travel. The non-engine drive motors may be specifically designed to move aircraft at lower speeds optimal for ground maneuvers in a ramp area or elsewhere, and one or more of the aircraft's engines may be operated at a thrust level that moves the aircraft efficiently at higher taxi speeds.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for defining, optimizing, and controlling taxi profiles for aircraft equipped with onboard non-engine drive means controllable to drive one or more nose or main landing gear wheels to drive an aircraft autonomously during taxi. An onboard taxi profile control system may employ smart software to determine selected taxi operational data at an airport and use this data to control and maintain torque of the drive means at desired selected levels that move the aircraft during taxi in response to determined taxi data or predetermined programmed taxi parameters. The system is designed to set default taxi profiles for each taxi cycle to achieve efficient aircraft taxi and to extend operational life of drive means components. Taxi profiles are modified and updated at periodic intervals or in real time in response to actual taxi conditions to optimize aircraft taxi at a specific airport.

Abstract: A vehicle wheel drive assembly, particularly useful in an aircraft, is provided. The vehicle wheel drive assembly is mounted completely within a space defined by structural dimensions of a vehicle wheel and includes drive means controllable to power the wheel and move the vehicle autonomously on a ground surface, a gear assembly drivingly connected to the drive means, and a clutch assembly operatively connected to the gear assembly. The clutch assembly is operatively mounted with respect to the gear assembly completely within an interior portion of a vehicle wheel axle on which the wheel drive assembly is mounted, thereby maximizing the space functionally available for all of the other components of the wheel drive assembly.

Abstract: An identification system and method are provided for aircraft equipped with electric taxi systems for autonomous ground movement that enables airport ground personnel and others outside the aircraft to safely and easily identify the aircraft moving on ground surfaces at an airport as equipped with a pilot-controlled electric taxi system and to distinguish these aircraft from aircraft not moved by electric taxi systems. The identification system may be mounted with nose or main landing gear drive wheels supporting the electric taxi system. The identification system includes an identifying lighting system with lighting elements of a selected number, shape, color, or arrangement positioned on at least a visible face of one or more landing gear wheels. Automatic or manual controls may actuate the identification system to identify electric taxi system-equipped aircraft when the aircraft are moved with the electric taxi system or are stopped.

Abstract: A system is provided for dissipating heat in an onboard non-engine powered aircraft wheel drive assembly with drive means that power one or more aircraft wheels to drive the aircraft autonomously on the ground without directly using the aircraft engines. The heat dissipation system is integral with a wheel drive assembly mounted substantially completely within a nose or main landing gear wheel. A reservoir mounted outboard or inboard of the wheel drive assembly increases thermal distribution mass and fluidically communicates with wheel drive assembly components to automatically circulate heat transfer fluid between the wheel drive assembly and the reservoir when the operating temperature exceeds a predetermined maximum temperature during aircraft ground travel. The heat dissipating system can be retrofitted in an existing aircraft to improve thermal distribution and prolong wheel drive assembly and drive means operation and useful life.

Abstract: A wheel testing system and method are provided that simulates realistically conditions likely to be encountered during operation of vehicle wheels, especially powered drive wheels and wheel-connected structures. The system may include an integral support frame designed to adjustably mount wheels or wheel-connected structures to be tested, a load motor drivingly connected to an inertial load, and an adjustable mounting sled configured to adjustably mount a test wheel or a wheel-connected structure with an hydraulic system actuatable to adjust the location of the test wheel relative to the inertial load to vary or fix the load on the test wheel desired. Speed of the test wheel can be varied or fixed by controlling the speed of the load motor. System measurement and data collection electronics measure a range of selected wheel parameters and gather data for transmission to a processor or non-transitory storage medium for processing and evaluation.

Abstract: A method for monitoring an autonomous accelerated pushback process in an aircraft equipped with an engines-off taxi system is provided to maximize safety and facilitate the accelerated pushback process. The aircraft is equipped with a monitoring system including a number of different kinds of sensors and monitoring devices positioned to maximally monitor the aircraft's exterior ground environment and communicate the presence or absence of obstructions in the aircraft's path while the pilot is controlling the engines-off taxi system to drive the aircraft in reverse away from a terminal gate and then turn in place at a selected location before driving forward to a taxiway. The sensors and monitoring devices may be a combination of cameras, ultrasound, global positioning, radar, and LiDAR or LADAR devices, and proximity sensors located at varying heights adapted to continuously or intermittently scan or sweep the aircraft exterior and ground environment during aircraft ground movement.

Abstract: A vehicle wheel drive assembly, particularly useful in an aircraft, is provided. The vehicle wheel drive assembly is mounted completely within a space defined by structural dimensions of a vehicle wheel and includes drive means controllable to power the wheel and move the vehicle autonomously on a ground surface, a gear assembly drivingly connected to the drive means, and a clutch assembly operatively connected to the gear assembly. The clutch assembly is operatively mounted with respect to the gear assembly completely within an interior portion of a vehicle wheel axle on which the wheel drive assembly is mounted, thereby maximizing the space functionally available for all of the other components of the wheel drive assembly.

Abstract: A clutch driven aircraft electric taxi system is provided with a clutch assembly designed to be automatically selectively engaged or disengaged as required to drive an aircraft autonomously during ground operations. The clutch assembly is mounted integrally with other electric taxi system components completely within an aircraft landing gear wheel and may be designed with one way overrunning or selectable clutch engagement capability in one or both rotational directions, preferably using an arrangement of ratcheting struts and clutch elements adapted specifically for use in an aircraft landing gear drive wheel environment. The clutch assembly may automatically disengage in response to predetermined defined conditions or operating parameters.

Abstract: A monitoring system is provided to ensure continued efficient reliable operation of an aircraft drive wheel drive system, preferably an aircraft drive wheel drive system driven by actuating drive system-actuated drive means, designed to drive an aircraft autonomously during ground operations. The monitoring system includes an array of sensor elements capable of obtaining desired information relating to selected drive system operating parameters and performance indicators during aircraft ground operations. The sensor elements are designed to be functionally located externally of drive system components to obtain information during aircraft ground movement under a range of operating conditions. The operating parameters and/or performance indicators to be monitored preferably include at least drive wheel speed and direction, drive means speed, drive means temperature, and drive means clutch engagement.

Abstract: A method for improving both drive system performance and energy efficiency performance both in an aircraft equipped with one or more drive wheel drive systems to move the aircraft autonomously on the ground is provided and in an aircraft that relies on its engines for ground movement. Achieving these objectives takes advantage of a discovered relationship between aircraft tyre pressure, drive system performance, and energy efficiency. Monitoring and maintaining tyre inflation pressure of an aircraft's tyres at an inflation level near a high end or recommended maximum cold or hot operating pressure for a specific kind of aircraft tyre on a specific aircraft not only improves drive wheel drive system performance, but also substantially and significantly improves energy efficiency in all types of aircraft.

Abstract: A method for increasing and optimizing the value of airport terminal exterior advertising is provided that significantly increases exposure of exterior advertising displays on the airside or non-public side of an airport terminal to passengers on arriving, parked, and departing aircraft. The movement of aircraft equipped with non-engine drive means on landing gear wheels for autonomous ground movement is controlled within an airport ramp area so that the aircraft moves in only a forward direction toward and away from a terminal parking place and parks in an orientation parallel to the terminal. The direction and orientation of aircraft ground travel and parking parallel to a terminal enhances and improves the visibility of exterior advertising displays to a maximum percentage of the passengers in the aircraft as the aircraft travels within the ramp area and parks between arrival and departure.

Abstract: A training system and method for operating aircraft equipped with non-engine drive means during independent ground travel is provided. The system and method of the present invention is designed specifically to train pilots, ground personnel, and air traffic control to move an aircraft safely and efficiently on the ground during taxi and pushback using the aircraft's non-engine drive means to propel the aircraft independently during ground travel. Simulations and procedures for training pilots and ramp personnel in the conduct of pushback operations and forward taxi with an aircraft equipped with non-engine drive means are also provided.

Abstract: An improved aircraft gate parking and servicing method is provided, wherein an aircraft is maneuvered into an airport terminal gate and parked in an optimum orientation at an angle that facilitates maximum access to aircraft front and rear doors. Boarding bridges are designed to facilitate connection to doors located rear of an aircraft wing without extending over the aircraft wing to maximize efficiency of passenger transfer. Passenger transfer and servicing of the aircraft may occur concurrently before the aircraft is maneuvered out of its optimum orientation in the parking space and driven to a takeoff runway for departure. Required safety margins are maintained at all times during aircraft maneuvers into and out of the optimum parking orientation. Stairs may be provided to simultaneously access aircraft doors not connected to boarding bridges. In a preferred embodiment, aircraft are moved to an optimum parking location by engines-off electric taxi systems.