Abstract: A surface travel system for military aircraft is provided that enables efficient, quiet, and safe ground operations of one or more aircraft in a wide range of military missions and operations. The surface travel system includes controllable onboard drive means that effectively drives one or more of the aircraft's wheels to move the aircraft autonomously, efficiently, quietly, and safely on any travel surface required for a military mission. The present invention allows the rapid safe deployment of multiple aircraft from tight spaces and enhances the readiness and availability of aircraft for a wide range of military operations.

Abstract: A powered self push back method and system for an aircraft are provided to move an aircraft on the ground safely during push back without assistance from an external tug vehicle or the aircraft main engines. The method employs constant cooperative communication and signals between the pilot and the ground crew during the push back process to ensure that push back of the aircraft is safe, efficient, and reduces aircraft turnaround time. The powered self push back system used in conjunction with this method includes at least one powered self-propelled aircraft drive wheel powered by a wheel drive assembly that can be activated by pilot input controls or by remote control exteriorly of or interiorly to the aircraft in response to ground crew signals to activate the driver to rotate the drive wheel in a reverse, push back direction, causing the aircraft to move in the push back direction or in a forward direction for taxi and takeoff in accordance with activation of the controls.

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 roller traction drive system integral with a non-engine drive means and a clutch assembly in an aircraft drive wheel drive system capable of moving an aircraft autonomously on the ground is provided. The roller traction drive system is selectively activated by the clutch assembly into and out of actuating contact with the non-engine drive means to drive the aircraft drive wheel. Roller traction drive system components are made of materials designed to enable dry running and operation at the torques, drive means speeds, and reduction ratios required to actuate a drive means and drive a drive wheel for autonomous aircraft ground movement. Roller traction drive materials may be selected to maintain effective torque transfer between roller traction drive system components and the non-engine drive means as well as to minimize undesirable thermal expansion.

Abstract: A traction control system and method are provided for electric vehicles with at least one drive wheel powered by an electric drive motor to maintain optimum maximum traction while the vehicle is driven on the ground. The traction control system includes drive means capable of transmitting torque through a vehicle drive wheel and controllable to move the vehicle over a ground surface. A preferred drive means is an electric motor designed to move the vehicle at desired ground speeds in response to operator input. Operator input requests a desired speed, and the system determines drive wheel torque required to produce the desired speed and provides maximum current to produce maximum torque to drive the vehicle with optimum traction at the desired speed. The system uses constant feedback to find maximum current corresponding to torque required for an inputted speed request to automatically control traction in any electric powered vehicle.

Abstract: A powered aircraft wheel is provided that is designed to include multiple wheel sections configured to define a cavity within the wheel and to support completely within the wheel cavity an onboard non-engine drive means controllable to move an aircraft autonomously without reliance on aircraft engines during taxi and ground travel. Each part of the powered wheel may be constructed of a material specifically selected to emphasize a functional property of the material that is optimal for the function of the wheel part at a specific location. The selected combination of functionally distinct materials gives the powered aircraft wheel a unique optimal structural and functional capability.

Abstract: A traction control system and method are provided for an aircraft equipped with a ground travel drive system with drive wheels powered by onboard wheel drive means that are capable of translating torque through the aircraft drive wheels and that are automatically controllable to control traction without reliance on the aircraft's brakes to keep the aircraft moving efficiently and autonomously on the ground under a range of environmental conditions.

Abstract: A method is provided for restoring mobility to an aircraft equipped with at least one self-propelled drive wheel powered by a driver when the aircraft has been rendered immobile as a result of one or more wheel tires adhering to and becoming stuck to tarmac or another ground surface. The method uses forces generated by the cooperative action of the wheel driver, the aircraft steering, and the aircraft braking system to release adherent tires of each set of main wheels and/or nose gear wheels by applying differential force to one set of wheels at a time to release any adherent tires so that the aircraft is able to move on the ground surface and travel in a desired direction at a desired speed.

Abstract: A method is provided for adding value to operation of long haul aircraft when aircraft designed for long haul flight are moved quietly and efficiently on the ground without operation of aircraft engines. The number of long haul aircraft at airports with slot controls, including airports that are constrained from operation at certain times by curfews that limit hours when long haul aircraft are able to operate, can be increased significantly. Long haul aircraft powered by onboard non-engine drive means or moved manually or automatically by tugs, tow vehicles, or other transfer apparatus have the capability to move quietly and efficiently to a runway to be ready for takeoff as soon as curfew is lifted and to move without engines to an airport arrival location after landing right before curfew starts, effectively expanding and increasing the number of available long haul slots and the value of operating long haul aircraft.

Abstract: A drive system with harmonic drive designed to meet the high power and torque requirements required to drive an aircraft independently on the ground is provided. The drive system includes an electric motor driven by a harmonic drive assembly that may be configured to be integral with the motor. This drive system with harmonic drive can be effectively installed in an existing aircraft nose wheel or main wheel without changes to other components.

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.

Abstract: A traction control system and method are provided for electric vehicles with at least one drive wheel powered by an electric drive motor to maintain optimum maximum traction while the vehicle is driven on the ground. The traction control system includes drive means capable of transmitting torque through a vehicle drive wheel and controllable to move the vehicle over a ground surface. A preferred drive means is an electric motor designed to move the vehicle at desired ground speeds in response to operator input. Operator input requests a desired speed, and the system determines drive wheel torque required to produce the desired speed and provides maximum current to produce maximum torque to drive the vehicle with optimum traction at the desired speed. The system uses constant feedback to find maximum current corresponding to torque required for an inputted speed request to automatically control traction in any electric powered vehicle.

Abstract: A method is provided for automatically or manually optimizing independent ground travel operation in an aircraft equipped with one or more self-propelled nose or main wheels powered by a driver means, wherein selected operating parameters indicative of optimized ground travel are monitored by sensors or detectors to provide data and information relating to the selected parameters during operation of the ground travel system. Selected operating parameters can include, for example, speed, direction of travel, torque, component thermal data, aircraft location data, and operator inputs, commands, and feedback, as well as other operational data or information. Data is collected, recorded, and analyzed to enable changes to be made to the ground travel system components in real time automatically by intelligent software or manually by a system operator or at a later time to ensure optimum operation of the system.

Abstract: A controllable aircraft taxi system is provided that enables the simultaneous control of aircraft autonomous ground movement and direction of aircraft autonomous ground movement. Independently controlled non-engine drive means capable of driving an aircraft landing gear wheel to move an aircraft autonomously on the ground without reliance on the aircraft's main engines are mounted to provide driving torque to aircraft a selected number of main landing gear wheels. The aircraft nose landing gear steering system is provided with steering angle detection and measurement means adapted to communicate with main landing gear wheel non-engine drive means, enabling simultaneous control over both autonomous aircraft ground travel and direction of autonomous aircraft ground travel. The present invention overcomes steering challenges presented by using non-engine drive means on main landing gear wheels to drive aircraft autonomously during taxi.

Abstract: A method is provided for removing ice, snow, slush, and frozen contaminants from landing gear, wheel wells, and associated structures while an aircraft is in flight and preventing the accumulation of frozen contaminants during flight in an aircraft equipped with onboard drive means powered to drive at least one landing gear wheel and selectively controllable to move the aircraft on the ground during taxi in winter and other weather conditions.

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 system and method is provided for improving efficiency of aircraft gate services and reducing time spent by an aircraft parked parallel to an airport terminal wherein aircraft utilities and gate services provided during turnaround are supported by an arrangement of flexibly movable, service and utility-carrying extendable passenger boarding bridges that enable passenger and baggage exchange concurrently with connection of utilities and provision of gate services to the aircraft. Baggage transfer is facilitated by conveyors mounted on one or more loading bridges and designed to provide a direct connection between an aircraft and a terminal. Aircraft are maneuvered by a pilot into and out of a parallel parking location in a forward direction by an engines-off electric taxi system, enabling loading bridge, utility, and service connections to be made to multiple aircraft doors as soon as the aircraft reaches a parking location and then quickly disconnected upon departure.

Abstract: A system is provided for maximizing efficient ground travel in wide-body and other aircraft equipped with onboard non-engine drive means for autonomous ground travel. Selective operation of the non-engine drive means and selective operation of the aircraft's engines are integrated to power aircraft movement when different ground travel speeds are required between landing and takeoff, optimizing savings and maximizing the cost/benefit ratio for equipping the aircraft with a non-engine drive means. The non-engine drive means may be designed to move a wide-body aircraft at low speeds required for ground maneuvers in a ramp area to move the aircraft at speeds typically used for pushback, initial forward roll, all start-stop situations, and other low speed ground travel. One or more of the aircraft's engines may be operated to move the aircraft at higher taxi speeds.

Abstract: A traction control system and method are provided for an aircraft equipped with a ground travel drive system with drive wheels powered by onboard wheel drive means that are capable of translating torque through the aircraft drive wheels and that are automatically controllable to control traction without reliance on the aircraft's brakes to keep the aircraft moving efficiently and autonomously on the ground under a range of environmental conditions.

Abstract: A surface travel system for military aircraft is provided that enables efficient, quiet, and safe ground operations of one or more aircraft in a wide range of military missions and operations. The surface travel system includes controllable onboard drive means that effectively drives one or more of the aircraft's wheels to move the aircraft autonomously, efficiently, quietly, and safely on any travel surface required for a military mission. The present invention allows the rapid safe deployment of multiple aircraft from tight spaces and enhances the readiness and availability of aircraft for a wide range of military operations.