Abstract: A power drive unit for a cargo handling system is provided. The power drive unit includes a drive roller; a motor configured to rotate the drive roller; a housing configured to house the motor; a sensor configured to monitor a characteristic associated with one or more of the housing or the motor; and a controller configured to receive an output from the sensor and output an electric alert signal in response to the characteristic.

Abstract: A cargo handling system includes a wireless cargo emergency stop system, a power relay communicatively coupled to the wireless cargo emergency stop system, and a power drive unit communicatively coupled to the power relay and the wireless cargo emergency stop system. Power to the power drive unit is removed in response to an emergency stop activated via the wireless cargo emergency stop system.

Abstract: A power drive unit (PDU) having a magnetic hold brake for use in an aircraft is disclosed herein. The PDU includes a wheel configured to convey cargo through a portion of the aircraft, a motor coupled to the wheel, a brake disk, a solenoid configured to apply a first force to move the brake disk in a first direction to resist rotation of the motor, wherein the solenoid is further configured to apply a second force to move the brake disk in a second direction opposite the first direction to allow the motor to rotate, and a magnet configured to apply a third force to the brake disk, the third force being in the first direction to apply a drag force to the motor.

Abstract: A power drive unit for moving cargo relative to a cargo bay of an aircraft is disclosed herein. The power drive unit includes a lift cam coupled to camshaft, a drive wheel coupled to a drive shaft, and an induction motor having a first output shaft and a second output shaft, the first output shaft configured to drive the drive shaft and the second output shaft configured to drive the camshaft.

Abstract: A controller is disclosed herein. The controller includes a processor and a memory operatively coupled to the processor. The memory includes instructions stored thereon that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to receive authentication credentials for controlling a cargo handling system via an access point. The access point uses a short-range wireless communication protocol. The instructions further cause the processor to connect to the cargo handling system via a wireless communication protocol, receive control of the cargo handling system, and send commands to the cargo handling system.

Abstract: A cargo handling system is disclosed herein. The cargo handling system includes a conveyance surface a power drive unit for moving cargo along the conveyance surface where the power drive unit disposed in the conveyance surface and a cargo detector coupled to the power drive unit. The cargo detector includes an image sensor having a sensing surface, the sensing surface being oriented towards the cargo, a shutter disposed between the image sensor and the cargo, and a pin hole disposed in the shutter.

Abstract: A control system for a cargo handling system is disclosed. The control system may be configured to advance larger containers at a slower speed than smaller containers. For instance, all containers may be initially advanced by the same first velocity control signal. At the expiration of a certain time period, all containers may thereafter be advanced by a different velocity control signal (from the first velocity control signal) that should least substantially maintain the velocity of the container as it existed at the time of the expiration of the noted time period. The length of the time period (for advancing the container at the first velocity control signal) may be varied based upon the size of the containers such that larger containers are accelerated for a shorter time than smaller containers and which in turn should then advance larger containers at a lower velocity compared to smaller containers.

Abstract: A cargo handling system may utilize a leaky feeder antenna grid to determine the location of a ULD, a mobile cargo controller, or both within a cargo compartment. This location determination may be used for any appropriate purpose. For instance, the noted location determinations may be used to alert an operator of an approaching ULD, to terminate motion of an approaching ULD, or both.

Abstract: A cargo handling system may utilize a leaky feeder antenna grid to determine the location of a ULD, a mobile cargo controller, or both within a cargo compartment. This location determination may be used for any appropriate purpose. For instance, the noted location determinations may be used to alert an operator of an approaching ULD, to terminate motion of an approaching ULD, or both.

Abstract: A cargo handling system may utilize a leaky feeder antenna grid to determine the location of a ULD, a mobile cargo controller, or both within a cargo compartment. This location determination may be used for any appropriate purpose.

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 control system for a cargo handling system is disclosed. The control system may be configured to advance larger containers at a slower speed than smaller containers. For instance, all containers may be initially advanced by the same first velocity control signal. At the expiration of a certain time period, all containers may thereafter be advanced by a different velocity control signal (from the first velocity control signal) that should least substantially maintain the velocity of the container as it existed at the time of the expiration of the noted time period. The length of the time period (for advancing the container at the first velocity control signal) may be varied based upon the size of the containers such that larger containers are accelerated for a shorter time than smaller containers and which in turn should then advance larger containers at a lower velocity compared to smaller containers.

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.