FR2460841A1 - INSTALLATION FOR LOADING AND UNLOADING AN AIRCRAFT - Google Patents

Abstract

INSTALLATION FOR THE LOADING AND UNLOADING OF AN AIRCRAFT, USING THE USE OF DEVICES OF A KNOWN TYPE TO TRANSPORT AND LOCK THE FREIGHT ON BOARD AS WELL AS TO PERMANENTLY CONTROL THE OCCUPANCY OF THE DIFFERENT STOWAGE STATIONS, AND INCLUDING AT LEAST A WEIGHING DEVICE LINKED TO A DIGITAL COMPUTER, THE WEIGHT DETECTORS CAN BE CONSTITUTED BY ANY DYNAMOMETRIC DEVICE PROVIDING AN ELECTRICAL OUTPUT SIGNAL, AND THERE IS A COMPUTER HAVING THE MAIN ROLE OF THE DETERMINING POSITION AS THE PRINCIPAL CENTER OF DETERMINITY RESISTANCE TO PLATE BALANCING. THE ON-BOARD INSTALLATION COOPERATES WITH A GROUND DEVICE FOR PROCESSING AND ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION OF DATA.

Description

1 2460841

  The subject of the invention is an installation for the

  loading and unloading an aircraft, using

  devices of the type known to carry and

  to secure the cargo on board and to

  nence the occupation of the various securing stations, and comprising at least one weighing device connected to a digital computer, the weight detectors

  which may be constituted by any dynamic device

  momnétrie known per se, providing an electrical output signal, and the calculator whose main role is to determine the optimal position of the center of gravity for

  reduce the resistance to trim balance.

  Such an installation advantageously makes it possible to

  exactly determine the payload (freight, passengers, baggage,

  ges) as well as the center of gravity and the total weight of the aircraft.

  To introduce into the calculator the data required

  to determine the optimal loading arrangement, as well as the elementary weight data that do not fall within the payload, such as, for example, the operational empty weight of the aircraft, the weight of the fuel, etc., it It is essential to be able to refer to a loading and trimming plan which must be established on the ground. This requires additional staff to prepare this plan for each new loading operation, and also requires the data to be manually entered into the dispatch unit.

calculation and control of board.

  It is an object of the invention to automate the processing of data on the ground while allowing the data thus processed to be entered directly, via a data medium, into the calculation and control unit. board,

  without manual introduction operation.

  This object is achieved, according to the invention, by

  the fact that the installation for loading and unloading

  An aircraft works in cooperation with a ground-based device for the electronic processing and transmission of data. The ground device has a digital calculator

  cooperating with a keyboard and a display member. The cal-

  digital culator is part of a scale installed on the ground.

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  According to the invention, it is provided that both the device on board the aircraft and the ground device is

  coupled with a writing and reading device which

  A data carrier is advantageously constituted by a magnetic card.

  According to one embodiment, it is intended that the dis-

  positive on board the aircraft has a control logic that is connected to a transmitter / receiver via

  a coding / decoding device.

  According to the invention, also, the digital ground computer is connected to a transmitter / receiver via

  a coding / decoding device.

  The major advantage of the invention is that it can significantly reduce staff costs and accelerate the course of loading and unloading operations of the aircraft. The invention also avoids to a large extent the transmission errors between the ground and the edge, as may occur, for example, when the loading and trim planes are set faulty. We can also predict

  data carrier a radio link between the

  driver-and the computer on the ground, so that, already in the course of flight, it can transmit information concerra nt loading, directly from the aircraft on the ground. We obtain

time saving.

  Other features and advantages of the invention

  will emerge from the description which follows, made in

  by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 is an overview of the loading and unloading edge installation of an aircraft; Figure 2 is a diagram of the control of the istallation according to Figure 1;

  FIG. 3 represents in the form of a block diagram the system

  electronic floor system for loading and determining the trim; FIG. 4 is a diagram of a control and display unit for the electronic system for loading and attitude determination; Figure 5 is a diagram of a calculator; Figures 6a and 6b are views of a magnetic card, Figure 6c is a view of a device for writing and reading data; Figure 7 is a diagram of an electronic system

  for loading and determination of attitude with trans-

radio data mission;

  Figure B shows a schematic of a command for charging-

  and unloading with radio transmission of data.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic overall view of an exemplary embodiment of an edge installation intended to

  loading and unloading the cargo of an airplane.

  The figure shows a cargo hold comprising guide rails in the area of the loading door 9, a ball belt 2, longitudinal drive conveyors 3, conveyors

  transverse drive 4 and weight detectors 5.

  Deépus, 7 to 7k stowage stations with roller trains 10 are located in the hold. In the zone of these posts

  other longitudinal conveyors 3.

  Such an installation can be mounted as well under

  expensive than on floor inside the plane. To load, for example, a container, it is moved on the guide rails 1 towards the carpet ball 2 until the rollers of the transverse conveyors 4 seize the container to carry it further. When the container arrived at the station 7k, the transverse conveyors 4 are stopped. In this position, the container is weighed by means of the weight detectors 5 arranged according to the invention, then the transverse conveyors 4 bring it to the station 7e and then the longitudinal conveyors concerned move it to the station 7, the train <of rollers 10 decreasing friction. When the

  container occupies position 7, the conveyor belts are cut

  and the container is stowed by means of the corresponding securing device 6. The same procedure is followed to weigh and put in place the other containers. The last loaded container remains at station 7k and is stowed there. For unloading,

  the procedure is the reverse, with the exception of weighing.

  In order to operate the conveyors, operating switches 8 are provided. By means of these switches, the circuits of the corresponding motors are only closed as long as the operator exerts pressure on a switch 8. Since the switches are arranged at chest height, there is no danger that a container can pass on the

  body of an operator extended to the ground following a fall.

  Figure 2 is the diagram of the control device

  electronic installation of the on-board installation, which is essential

  consists of switches of: .maneuver 8, a fil-

  high-pass and low-pass 18, a main actuator

  cipal 14, a control logic 13 for a control of

  motor 16 for operating the conveyors 3 and 4, a

  appears to display 15 intended to display the determined weights

  as well as organs 20 for the announcement in return of the posi-

  different containers or pallets. In addition, there is an automatic system for securing pallets 17 and a power supply unit 12 charged with powering the entire electronic control device. The main actuator 14, the weight sensors 5, the display assembly and the motor control 16 are connected to the control logic 13 by coaxial cables which transmit the signals, for example in the form of modulated carrier frequencies and, at the same time, provide the transport of power energy for the benefit of the active elements concerned. If, for example, we want to load a freight container in the cargo hold

  of the aircraft, first the transverse conveyors are

  by means of the corresponding switch 8 until the container has reached the desired position on the carpet with balls. In this position, the container is weighed. Following an appropriate operation operation performed on the main actuator 14, the weight values determined by the different weight detectors are recorded after interrogation by the control logic 13, are combined

  in order to obtain the total weight of the container, and are trans-

  15. The weight of the container can be read on a display screen. Then, the conveyor 3 transports the container to the station 7f. Each control motor corresponds to an operating switch 8 which is provided with two pushbuttons, one for forward and one for reverse. Each switch 8 comprises

  additionally an address encoder so that by pushing the button

  pushbutton can be transmitted to the control logic 13, through the high-pass filter and low-pass 18, for example, the information "forward", the address of the motor to engage. The control logic transmits this signal to

  the motor control 16 which turns on the motor corresponding to

  laying at the address. When the container has reached the desired position, the motor is shut down by the control logic 13 which, at the same time, turns on the devices.

  corresponding lashings 17 so that the latter

  the container indefinitely until the theft is complete. Each station has organs 20 for signaling back from the position, which send to the

  command logic a signal concerning the occupation of the

  corresponding placement. In this way, the control logic can pocket, by cutting the interested motor, a moving container does not collide with a container already in place. The display assembly 15 comprises for each station a display screen indicating the weight of the container occupying the location in question. The correspondence of the weight of

  container determined beforehand with the position occupied

  The connection with this display device is provided by an alarm device in the event of an overload which indicates by optical and / or acoustic method that there is an overload of the structure of the device. floor of the cargo hold, for example under the weight of several

  overloaded containers on a small space.

  According to the invention, it is provided that the edge installation works in cooperation with a ground device for electronic data processing and transmission. For this purpose, a magnetic card reading device 72 and a printer 73 are also part of the onboard installation according to FIG. 2. The magnetic card reading device 72 selects the information stored in the form of bits on the card. magnetic card and introduces them into the computing unit

and on-board control.

  On the basis of these data, the calculation and control unit in turn determines definitively the succession of loading operations and the arrangement of the loading.

  better from the point of view of the center of gravity. It is, however,

  it is also possible that the unit of loading and

  of the base plate according to Figure 3 which will be described below, makes a provisional proposal for an optimal succession of loading operations and for an optimal arrangement of the

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  loading, based on the knowledge of the different loading data such as, for example, the weight of the passengers, the weight of the hand luggage, the weight of the freight (for example parcels, containers, pallets, etc.) and the weight of the full load fuel as well as the weight of the onboard cargo. This proposal can also be carried as bits, as additional information, by the magnetic card, and it can be printed in parallel on

  the annex 70 printer of the ground treatment system

  load and trim. This provisional information

  concerning the succession of loading operations and the arrangement of the load may be verified by the unit.

  of calculation and control and may be

  if the marginal conditions of the load are modified, for example due to wind thrust or

  taking into account additional short-term freight.

  As a variant, the ground system of the loading and attitude data processing can, based on the specific parameters of the aircraft which are a function of the position of the center of gravity and the attitude and which are set memory, calculate the trim balance resistance resulting from the loading proposal as well as the consumption

  additional fuel that results.

  Figure 3 shows in the form of overall block diagram the unit or electronic system on the ground for loading and determination of attitude. It is essentially composed of a computer 63 which comprises for example a microprocessor with its semiconductor memory, to which are connected a

  input keyboard 64 and a display member 65. The calculation

  The controller 63 itself controls a drive motor 66 for a data carrier card which is, for example, magnetically encoded, and is connected to a magnetic coding head 67 and an erase head 68. The function of the magnetic coding head 67 is to carry the data prepared by the computer on the magnetic encoded data carrier card while the erasing head has the role of erasing the outdated information on this data medium.

or wrong.

  A power supply 69 supplies electrical energy

  the calculator and the peripherals associated with it.

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  A printer 70 connected to the computer 63 allows, in parallel

  to the display organ 65, to provide in writing in writing

  clear all the data determined by the calculator.

  An electronic interface member 71 makes it possible to record the unit weights of the packages to be loaded determined directly by an electronic scale possibly installed on the ground and to transmit them to the computer. The latter can thus transmit to the data carrier the unit weights of the packages which are either introduced directly by the organ

  maneuver is automatically determined by

  medium of the weighing devices on the ground. As a data carrier, it is possible to use for example a plastic card covered with a magnetic layer. The different data can then be carried on the maps in the form of

series of bits in lines.

  FIG. 4 shows a control panel 74, the body

  the main actuator and the display member 65 being assembled

  wheats bns a shoemaker. The input of the data into the actuator is done by the keyboard 64. All the necessary data concerning the individual weights, for example the weights of the containers or pallets, are introduced into the calculation unit according to FIG. digital form. The keyboard 64 comprises a known type encoder, which transforms the input data according to a standardized code, for example

  ASCI. These data are thus prepared for further processing.

  by the connected digital devices.

  The device is implemented for example as follows: after preliminary verification of operation, the loading program is introduced. To do this, press the ENT key (enter). Then appears on the display screen a mention inviting to give the number of the first

  container (NR?). If the corresponding number is provided,

  would be a mention inviting to provide the weight (WGT?). After giving the weight, it is also displayed for control purposes. Each data is entered by pressing the ENT key. A false entry can be cleared by pressing the CLR (clear) key and data can be entered after pressing the ENT key. When all

  cargo data are introduced, the distribution of differences

  parcels in the cargo hold is calculated with a view to

  optimal position of the center of gravity. On the display screen

  display the number of the first parcel to be loaded with the indication of the location which has been determined for

this package (eg NR5 POS 7).

  FIG. 5 shows a circuit that can be envisaged for the computer 63 which constitutes part of the ground control logic. The calculator includes a clock 76,

  an instruction and address register 77, an external memory

  dull 78, an interface element 79 leading to the memory

  78, a work register 80 and a data bus 81.

  Clock 76 serves as a time base for all work cycles. The instruction and address register 77 contains all the instruction words internal to the computer and corresponds with the addressable units associated with FIG. 1. Via the interface 79, the computer is connected with the external memory 78 which acts as a direct access memory. The central work register 80

  used for the cycles of mathematical work and

  cal. Via the data bus 81 which acts as a digital interface for performing the coded transformation in the language of the computer used, the data is transmitted to the work register 80 and thence provided with the order of implementation. memory and specific memory address,

  they are transmitted to the interface 79 to the semiconductor memory.

  external conductors. If this data is to be displayed on the display member 65 of the computer 63, the data set is selected in the memory 78 by a read command and transmitted via the data bus 81 to the memory device. display 65. If the data is printed on paper strips or coded on a magnetic card, this is done also via the data bus 81, to which the corresponding devices such as the printer are connected. 70 and the organ

Magnetic card reading 75.

  FIG. 6a is a view of a magnetic card 82 with a support 83 made of paper or plastic and, applied thereto, a band-shaped magnetizable layer 84. FIG. 6b is a sectional view along line b-b of FIG.

Figure 6a.

  FIG. 6c shows the essential elements of the magnetic card reading device 75, namely a guide housing 88, a combined reading and writing head 67,

  an erase head 68, a motor 86 and two rollers 87.

  If a magnetic card 82 is inserted into the guide 88 over a predetermined length, the motor 86 is turned on and retracts the card by means of the two rollers 87 to the left in the reading device until come to a stop. By the stop is operated a switch that is

  arranged so that the direction of rotation of the motor 86 becomes

  verse, whereby the magnetic card 82 is again output.

  During the movement of the magnetic card 82, the corresponding data are introduced or read by the write / read head 67. The erroneous or out-of-date data can be

  erased by the erase head 68.

  According to another embodiment of the invention, the on-board calculation unit for determining the loading and attitude according to FIG. 2 can additionally connect with the control and calculation unit at the same time. ground

  according to Figure 3 via a radio line acting

  as a data carrier, for introducing and directly transforming by radio in the computing and on-board control unit data which is otherwise carried on the magnetic card. The advantage is that additional time savings are achieved by eliminating corresponding ground operations. In addition, this type of data transmission

  provides the possibility, while the aircraft is in flight, to

  from the ground the loading data in memory at this

moment on board.

  When the aircraft has to stop at several airports successively and to carry passengers and / or cargo goods for different destinations, it is also possible, from the calculation and control unit, to introduce by radio the corresponding data.

  momentary loading into the ground unit for the purpose of

  loading and trim.

  In accordance with this, Figure 7 shows the electronic unit

  Figure 3, comprising the functional elements already named and described 63 to 71, supplemented by an encoder / decoder 90 and a transmitter / receiver.

receiver 91.

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  The computer 63 transmits in digital form to the encoder the load data provided with the address of the aircraft

  In particular, the encoder 90 transforms the data into

  standardized data transmission program and modulates the latter in the appropriate form on the carrier wave of the data transmitter 91. In this respect, it is possible to use all known data modulation methods, for example frequency modulation, d amplitude, phase, coded pulses, etc. FIG. 8 shows the edge control according to FIG. 2, correspondingly completed by an encoder / decoder 92 and a transmitter / receiver 93. These devices operate with the units connected to them, as already described for

ground installation.

  Thus, the data telegrams sent by the

  ground data are received on board and are converted from the telegram format to the data format specific to the computer in the decoder 92 so that the received data can be subsequently directly used in the control unit

on board.

  Conversely, in this way also, data relating to

  the load on board (eg freight, number of passengers) can be converted by means of the coder 92

  in telegram format and may be transmitted by

  mediaiue of the onboard data transmitter 93 to the unit of

  loading and grounding data.

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Claims (9)

  1. Installation for the loading and unloading of an aircraft, using the use of known type of devices for transporting and securing the cargo on board as well as for constantly monitoring the occupation of the various stowage positions, and comprising at least one weighing device connected to a digital computer, the weight detectors being constituted by any dynamometric device, known per se, providing an electrical output signal, and said calculator having for main role to determine the optimal position of the center of gravity in order to decrease the resistance to the attitude balancing, characterized in that the on-board installation   cooperates with a ground-based device for processing and trans-   electronic data mission.   2. Installation according to claim 1, characterized   in that the ground device comprises a numerical calculator   <63) working in cooperation with a keyboard: (64) and a display member (65).   3. Installation according to claim 2, characterized in that the digital computer (63) is part of a scale installed on the ground.   4. Installation according to any one of the claims   1 to 3, characterized in that both the device on board   of the aircraft that the ground device is coupled with a device   reading and writing system (70, 72, 73, 75) which establishes a data carrier.   5. Installation according to claim 4, characterized   in that the data carrier is a magnetic card (82).   6. Installation according to any one of the claims   1 to 5, characterized in that the device on board the aircraft   comprises a control logic (13) which is connected by the   of an encoder / decoder (92) with a transmitter / receiver (93).   7. Installation according to any one of the claims   1 to 5, characterized in that the digital ground computer (63) is connected via an encoder / decoder (90) with a transmitter / receiver (91).   8. Installation according to any one of the claims   1 to 3, characterized in that the digital computer - (63) is associated with a control panel (74) which is provided with an input keyboard (64) and a display element (65) displaying the data entered.   9. Installation according to any one of the claims   1 to 3, characterized in that the digital computer (63) comprises a clock (76), an instruction register and   addresses (77), an external memory (78), an   terface (79) leading to memory, a working register (80) and a data bus (81).