DE29509940U1 - External load working device for helicopters for the safe transport of external cargo - Google Patents

Description

KÜFFER OUTSIDE L^ra^BBfraSERÄIjFÖß HELICOPTER

§6 DESCRIPTION

EXTERNAL LOAD WORK EQUIPMENT FOR HELICOPTERS FOR THE SAFE TRANSPORT OF EXTERNAL CARGO

It is known that a large part of helicopter aerial work consists of external cargo transport.

The problem is that the external load is only connected to the load hook and thus to the helicopter by a rope.

As a rule, there is probably no experienced external load pilot who has not unintentionally lost his external load several times.

Possible reasons for this are:

Unintentional activation of the trigger button on the stick Failure of the holding mechanism (on the load hook) Rope breakage
15

For these reasons, commercial external cargo flights are only permitted over uninhabited areas and external cargo flights with people are only permitted to rescue accident victims (see also FAR 27 Class D).

Another problem when using only one rope is that the external load rotates several times around the rope axis during the flight, which can lead to knots forming during longer flights and thus to the destruction of the rope.

SHEETNo: 1

SUITCASE

OUTSIDE USAGE*RBE+iaG*ERÄT3=iw"4 HELICOPTER

SOLUTION: (see FIG.l and FIG.2)

USE OF A CROSSBAR WITH INTEGRATED LOAD HOOK, POSITIONED BETWEEN THE HELICOPTER FUSELAGE AND THE TOP EDGE OF THE SKID {OR THE WHEELS)

a.) SAFETY WHEN HOLDING THE EXTERNAL LOAD The external load is “held safely” by 2 ropes.

Even if one holding system fails, the load is carried by the second holding system.

The flight can therefore be continued with 1-fold safety until a safe landing is possible.

b.) SAFETY AGAINST UNINTENDED TRIGGERING A control panel with integrated control ensures that the external load release systems cannot be operated unintentionally.

c.) SAFETY WHEN RELEASING THE EXTERNAL LOAD Both holding systems have at least 2 independent release devices to be able to safely separate the external load from the helicopter in an emergency.

d.) SAFETY AGAINST TWISTING OF THE EXTERNAL LOAD The traverse not only has a load-bearing function, but also largely prevents the external load from twisting. (Important for precise work in the HEC area!)

e.) SHORT CHANGEOVER TIMES

The helicopter can transform from a "passenger helicopter" to an "external cargo helicopter" e.g. in about 2-5 minutes.

for HEC (human-external-cargo) operations.

The conversion in the opposite direction can be accomplished in even less time.

Sheet number:

CASE EXTERIOR LASI^BEft^gRAJJ^e HELICOPTER

E—

a.) For TRAVERSE (see Fig. 1 and Fig. 2) consisting of:

(Minimum configuration) 5

Supporting structure Load hooks Rope deflections Traverse rope - Rope cutting devices

b.) For accessories for use with the trusses (see Fig. 3 to Fig.l 1): (depending on the application)

- Auxiliary traverses

Work baskets

c.) Control panel with control, for monitoring the external load release

systems and the traverse rope 20

d.) Weighing system for determining the external load mass and display in the cockpit of the helicopter

e.) System for determining the relative position of the external load to the helicopter with display device in the cockpit of the helicopter

f.) Coupling of system e.) and/or d.) to autopilots.

In this case, the helicopter's autopilot attempts to take up the position vertically above the external load with the helicopter (in hover).

In the opposite case, this means that the ground staff can "lead" the helicopter, like a dog or kite, to the external load using the ropes and then attach it. (Working method for the ground staff is similar to that of an indoor crane and trolley)

Sheet number:

CASE EXTERNAL LOAD BARS^TS^SRATfffe HELICOPTER

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The external load implement can be used in a variety of ways, in NHEC (non-human external cargo) and HEC (human external cargo) operation. 5

Here are some examples:

I.) Non-human external cargo (NHEC)

a.) All external load cases that have been carried out since then with only one rope

can now be carried out safely with the help of the traverse (see Fig. 3 using the example of a support net)

b.) All cases that have been reported since then with rotational movements, the external

load can be carried out better and more safely with the help of the traverse. The use of a loading fork for pallet transport is also possible. See the following figures:

-Figure 4 Safe transport of buckets (with auxiliary traverse)

-Figure 5 Safe transport of wood (with auxiliary traverse)

-Figure 6 Safe transport of coils (with auxiliary traverse)

-Figure 7 Safe transport of pallets

(with loading fork)

SHEET No: 4

KÜFFER EXTERIOR DEVICE 33ai$ HELICOPTER

II.) Human external cargo (HEC)

a.) Safe repairs and maintenance of overhead lines

-Figure 8 (with overhead line work basket) 5

b.) Safe repairs and maintenance of house facades,

Church towers, neon signs, etc.

-Figure 9 (with maintenance basket)

c.) Safe recovery and rescue of flood victims,

Hang gliders and paraglider pilots who are either hanging in trees or caught in overhead power lines - Figure IO (with rescue basket).
There are many other possible applications here too.

d.) Safe recovery and rescue of injured persons on stretchers. The injured person is transported lying down on a stretcher, safely and calmly.

Doctor and helpers stand with the injured person, even during

flight, in eye and voice contact and can continue with the assistance.
-Figure 11 (Rescue basket with integrated stretcher)

SHEETNo: 5

BUCKET EXTERNAL LOAD BIT^GER^TI-Üg HELICOPTER

EXPLANATION OF NUMERICAL LABELING

1 helicopter fuselage

2 helicopter landing gear brackets

3 Helicopter landing gear skid

4 load hooks and accessories

5 Traverse rope deflection

6 Rope cutting device for traverse rope (only shown in Fig. 1+2)

7 Traverse rope

8 Traverse (outlines shown in dashed lines)

9 Traverse rope extension (15m - approx. 100m)

10 Load hook harness (length according to item 9)

11 Rope connection with shackle etc.

12 Fixed hook

13 Support net

14 Auxiliary traverse

15 auxiliary ropes

16 steu or concrete buckets

17 Holzer rope with shackle

18 tree trunk or more

19 Coil or ring

20 loading fork

21 pallets

22 Goods, commodities (bags of cement), etc.

23 Work basket for overhead line work

24 Indicated overhead line

25 Overhead line fitter

26 Work basket for repair work

27 repair workers

28 Positioning rope

29 ground personnel to position the work basket

30 rescue basket

31 accident victims (injured) on stretcher

32 Rescue basket with integrated tank stretcher

33 Doctor, paramedic, helper

Claims (3)

EXTERNAL CARGO WORK EQUIPMENT FOR HELICOPTERS §5 PROTECTION CLAIMS EXTERNAL CARGO WORK EQUIPMENT FOR HELICOPTERS FOR THE SAFE TRANSPORT OF EXTERNAL CARGO 1.) EXTERNAL LOAD WORKING DEVICE FOR HELICOPTER ₁ FOR THE SAFE TRANSPORT OF EXTERNAL CARGO is characterized by the fact that the external load is not only suspended from a rope and a release device (load hook) , but also, in addition, from a "circulating truss rope". The traverse rope has at least 2 rope cutting devices so that this rope can be cut in an emergency (see FIG. 1 and FIG. 2). The external load is protected against loss by the 2 ropes and is also safe when the load is "released" by the redundancy of the load hook (electrical and mechanical release) and the at least 2 rope cutting devices located in the traverse rope. The traverse, which is located between the helicopter fuselage and the upper edge of the skids (in helicopters with wheels: between the fuselage and the ground), is used to hold the rope cutting devices, the rope deflections, the traverse rope and the load hook. It is designed to be able to take the entire external load. 25 ^:: ..: ^: \ l'-iil >... : : SHEETNo: 1 BUFFER AUSS5WL^^TAR|EST3GSR^«FOR HELICOPTERS 2.) EXTERNAL LOAD WORK DEVICE FOR HELICOPTERS, FOR TRANSPORTING EXTERNAL CARGO, ACCORDING TO CLAIM 1, characterized in that the TRAVERSES (see Fig. 1 and Fig. 2) consist of the following parts: {minimal configuration) a.) - Supporting structure
Load hook
Rope deflections
- Traverse rope Rope cutting devices 3.) EXTERNAL LOAD WORKING DEVICE FOR HELICOPTERS, FOR TRANSPORTING EXTERNAL CARGO, ACCORDING TO CLAIMS 1 AND 2 characterized in that the ACCESSORIES FOR USE OF THE TRAVELS (see Fig. 3 to Fig. 11) can consist of the following parts, depending on the application. b.) - Ropes Auxiliary traverses
Work baskets c.) Control panel with control system for monitoring the external load release systems and the traverse rope d.) Weighing system for determining the external load mass and display in the cockpit of the helicopter e.) System for determining the relative position, the external load, to the helicopter with display device in the cockpit of the helicopter f.) Coupling of the system e.) and/or d.) to the autopilots of the helicopters. "\ j 5 ^: ..i ^: ..: :.:.: ! SHEET No: 2 \ j 5