Cargo handling system, method and apparatus

Abstract

Cargo handling systems and methods for a freight deck of an aircraft are provided, as well as mobile transport apparatus. In at least one example, the system includes a support structure, at least one mobile transport apparatus, and a plurality of locking devices. The support structure is configured for at least partially supporting at least one cargo unit on the support structure, Each mobile transport apparatus is configured for selectively moving over the freight deck to a plurality of locations on the freight deck, for selectively engaging to the at least one cargo unit, for selectively propelling said at least one cargo unit over said freight deck while the apparatus is engaged to the at least one cargo unit, for enabling said at least one cargo unit to be deposited at a desired said location supported on said support structure, and for selectively disengaging from the at least one cargo unit. Each locking device is configured for selectively releasably locking the at least one cargo unit with respect to the freight deck at said desired location.

1 . A cargo handling system for a freight deck of an aircraft, the cargo handling system comprising:
 a support structure configured for at least partially supporting at least one cargo unit thereon over the freight deck;   a transport apparatus configured for selectively transporting the at least one cargo unit over the support structure; and   a wireless control system for wirelessly controlling operation of the transport apparatus.   
     
     
         2 . The cargo handling system according to  claim 1 , wherein the transport apparatus includes a mobile transport apparatus configured for selectively moving over the freight deck to a plurality of locations thereon for:
 selectively engaging to the at least one cargo unit;   propelling the at least one cargo unit over the freight deck when the mobile transport apparatus is engaged to the at least one cargo unit; and   depositing the at least one cargo unit on a desired the location supported on the support structure, and for selectively disengaging from the at least one cargo unit.   
     
     
         3 . The cargo handling system according to  claim 1 , wherein the mobile transport apparatus includes at least one of:
 a battery, wherein the cargo handling system further comprises a recharging system including a recharger docking station provided in the freight deck and connected to a power supply and a docking head provided in the mobile transport apparatus, the docking head and the docking station being configured for establishing electrical connection with one another when the docking head docks with the docking station; or   electrical cables reversibly wound on a spool, the spool being mounted to one of the mobile transport apparatus or the freight deck, wherein electrical power is provided to the mobile transport apparatus by a power source in the aircraft or outside of the aircraft via the electrical cables, wherein the electrical cables are spooled in or out according to a relative location of the mobile transport apparatus with respect to the freight deck.   
     
     
         4 . The cargo handling system according to  claim 3 , wherein the mobile transport apparatus includes a releasable engagement system for selectively engaging with and disengaging from the at least one cargo unit, and a powered drive unit configured for selectively propelling the respective the mobile transport apparatus over the freight deck. 
     
     
         5 . The cargo handling system according to  claim 3 , wherein the mobile transport apparatus is configured for propelling the at least one cargo unit when the at least one cargo unit is in overlying relationship therewith or in at least partially juxtaposed relationship therewith. 
     
     
         6 . The cargo handling system according to  claim 5 , wherein parts of the mobile transport apparatus in overlying relationship with the at least one cargo unit have a height dimension from the freight deck not exceeding a datum height dimension defined by the support structure. 
     
     
         7 . The cargo handling system according to  claim 1 , wherein the transport apparatus includes a plurality of powered drive units (PDU's) statically located on the freight deck and longitudinally spaced parallel to the support structure, each of the plurality of PDUs including a powered drive wheel configured for selectively engaging an underside of the at least one cargo unit for moving the at least one cargo unit over the support structure. 
     
     
         8 . The cargo handling system according to  claim 1 , wherein the wireless control system includes a transmitter unit remote from a receiver unit, the receiver unit being operatively coupled to the transport apparatus and configured for controlling operation of the transport apparatus responsive to receiving control signals transmitted from the transmitter unit. 
     
     
         9 . The cargo handling system according to  claim 8 , wherein the control signals include electromagnetic signals. 
     
     
         10 . The cargo handling system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a sensor system configured for outputting an alignment signal representative of an alignment of the cargo unit with respect to the support structure. 
     
     
         11 . The cargo handling system according to  claim 10 , wherein the alignment includes a degree of alignment between cargo unit and the support structure compared with an ideal alignment, and the alignment signal is representative of the degree of alignment. 
     
     
         12 . The cargo handling system according to  claim 11 , wherein the ideal alignment occurs where the cargo unit is sufficiently aligned with respect to the support structure to enable the cargo unit to be moved over and supported by the support structure. 
     
     
         13 . The cargo handling system according to  claim 10 , wherein the sensor system includes a first component coupled to the at least one cargo unit and a second component coupled to the support structure, wherein the first component interacts with the second component to generate the alignment signal. 
     
     
         14 . The cargo handling system according to  claim 13 , wherein:
 one of the first component or the second component includes a transmitter wherein the other one of the first component and second component comprises a receiver, wherein the receiver transmits energy to the receiver, wherein a parameter of the energy varies as a function of the degree of alignment wherein to generate the alignment signal; or   the first component includes an image acquisition system and the second component includes a visual marker representative of the ideal alignment, wherein the image acquisition system obtains and processes images of the visual marker wherein to generate the alignment signal.   
     
     
         15 . The cargo handling system according to  claim 10 , wherein the alignment signal is at least one of an audio signal or a visual signal to guide manual manipulation of the cargo unit into alignment with the support structure. 
     
     
         16 . The cargo handling system according to  claim 10 , further comprising a mobile transport apparatus configured for selectively moving over the freight deck to a plurality of locations thereon, for:
 selectively engaging to the at least one cargo unit;   propelling the at least one cargo unit over the freight deck when the mobile transport apparatus is engaged to the at least one cargo unit, for depositing the at least one cargo unit on a desired the location supported on the support structure; and   selectively disengaging from the at least one cargo unit, wherein the alignment signal is at least one of a digital signal or an electromagnetic signal;   wherein the mobile transport apparatus is further configured for controlling movement of the cargo unit into alignment with the support structure responsive to the alignment signal.   
     
     
         17 . The cargo handling system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of locking devices configured for selectively releasably locking the at least one cargo unit with respect to the freight deck at the desired location. 
     
     
         18 . The cargo handling system according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one cargo unit is in the form of or includes a pallet. 
     
     
         19 . A method for handling cargo units on a freight deck of an aircraft, the method comprising:
 causing at least one mobile transport apparatus to move over the freight deck to at least one of a plurality of locations thereon;   selectively engaging the at least one mobile transport apparatus to the at least one cargo unit at one of the plurality of locations;   propelling the at least one cargo unit over the freight deck to a second the location, while the at least one mobile transport apparatus is engaged to the at least one cargo unit;   selectively disengaging the at least one mobile transport apparatus from the at least one cargo unit;   depositing the at least one cargo unit at the second location on the freight deck; and   wirelessly controlling operation of the transport apparatus.   
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 19 , further comprising:
 providing a support structure on the flight deck, wherein providing the support structure on the flight deck further includes depositing the at least one cargo unit at the second location on the support structure on the freight deck; and   selectively releasably locking the at least one cargo unit with respect to the freight deck at the second location.