Abstract: A power drive unit (PDU) for moving cargo relative to a cargo bay of an aircraft includes a cam shaft. The PDU also includes a lift cam coupled to the cam shaft and configured to cause the PDU to be in at least one of a raised position or a lowered position based on rotation of the cam shaft. The PDU also includes a permanent magnet motor configured to generate a cogging torque sufficient to resist rotation of the cam shaft such that the PDU remains in the raised position in response to power being removed from the permanent magnet motor.

Abstract: Aircraft cargo management systems comprising a support structure comprising a first rail and a second rail, the first rail arranged parallel to the second rail, wherein the first rail has a first exterior face and the second rail has a second exterior face, a wheel mounted on an axle, the axle mounted to the first exterior face and passing through the second exterior face, and a power drive unit (“PDU”) mounted to the axle and configured to rotate the axle about an axis are provided. PDUs comprising an electronic controller housed in a controller housing, a motor housed in a motor housing, and a first connecter mounted to the motor housing and a second connector mounted to the controller housing, the first connector configured to mate with the second connector and to conduct electricity between the motor and the electronic controller are also provided.

Abstract: A power drive unit (PDU) for moving cargo relative to a cargo bay of an aircraft includes a cam shaft. The PDU also includes a lift cam coupled to the cam shaft and configured to cause the PDU to be in at least one of a raised position or a lowered position based on rotation of the cam shaft. The PDU also includes a permanent magnet motor configured to generate a cogging torque sufficient to resist rotation of the cam shaft such that the PDU remains in the raised position in response to power being removed from the permanent magnet motor.

Abstract: A ball transfer unit support may include a top ring, an upper portion adjacent to the top ring, a lower portion, and a shoulder located between the upper portion and the lower portion. The shoulder may be configured to support a ball transfer unit. The top ring may be in the shape of a truncated circle, and the top ring may snap into an aperture in a top skin of a ball panel. The top ring may include a retaining lip which snaps below the top skin. The truncated circle shape of the top ring may provide anti-rotation between the ball transfer unit support and the ball panel. The ball transfer unit support may transfer load on the ball transfer unit to a bottom skin of the ball panel.

Abstract: Aircraft cargo management systems comprising a support structure comprising a first rail and a second rail, the first rail arranged parallel to the second rail, wherein the first rail has a first exterior face and the second rail has a second exterior face, a wheel mounted on an axle, the axle mounted to the first exterior face and passing through the second exterior face, and a power drive unit (“PDU”) mounted to the axle and configured to rotate the axle about an axis are provided. PDUs comprising an electronic controller housed in a controller housing, a motor housed in a motor housing, and a first connecter mounted to the motor housing and a second connector mounted to the controller housing, the first connector configured to mate with the second connector and to conduct electricity between the motor and the electronic controller are also provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein for ball transfer unit supports. A ball transfer unit support may include a top ring, an upper portion adjacent to the top ring, a lower portion, and a shoulder located between the upper portion and the lower portion. The shoulder may be configured to support a ball transfer unit. The top ring may be in the shape of a truncated circle, and the top ring may snap into an aperture in a top skin of a ball panel. The top ring may include a retaining lip which snaps below the top skin. The truncated circle shape of the top ring may provide anti-rotation between the ball transfer unit support and the ball panel. The ball transfer unit support may transfer load on the ball transfer unit to a bottom skin of the ball panel.