OA17818A

OA17818A - Apparatus for treating the surface or carrying out maintenance and/or inspection tasks of a vertical stabilizer of an aerial vehicle in a low interior height hangar.

Info

Publication number: OA17818A
Application number: OA1201600260
Authority: OA
Inventors: Thomas Roster
Original assignee: Cti System S.A.
Priority date: 2014-01-29
Filing date: 2015-01-27
Publication date: 2018-01-09

Abstract

The present invention concerns an apparatus for treating surfaces or carrying out maintenance/inspection tasks of the top of a vertical stabilizer (31) of an aerial vehicle by at least one technician comprising: - a single overhead crane (4) hanged on a roof (100) of a hangar building, - a single suspended vertically movable lateral teleplatform unit (30) comprising a telescopic mast (2) connected to the single overhead crane (4), - a suspended staging structure (20) firmly connected to the overhead crane (4) by a supporting structure (5), the suspended staging structure (20) comprising at least one working platform (61,62) for treating or carrying out maintenance/inspection tasks of the vertical stabilizer (31) of the aerial vehicle at different heights by at least one technician, the length of the overhead crane (4) does not extend beyond the vertical axis (A) of 15 the vertical stabilizer (31), characterized in that the suspended staging structure (20) is not vertically movable and is independent from the vertically movable lateral teleplatform unit (30) permitting to reach the suspended staging structure (20).

Description

Description - Backqround:

The présent invention relates to an aerial vehicle vertical stabilizer (31) top access suspended apparatus (20) for treating surfaces and/or carrying out maintenance/inspection tasks of a vertical stabilizer (31) ofthe aerial vehicle according to claim 1 and to a process for treating surfaces and/or carrying out maintenance/inspection tasks of a vertical stabilizer (31) of an aerial vehicle according to claim 15.

Aircraft painting or maintenance tasks require suitable Systems to allow the technician to access the aircraft skin granting safe and ergonomical working conditions. Usually this is achieved through the use of teleplatforms. Teleplatforms offer in this regard the best flexibility in terms of access and fieet to be accessed. The disadvantage of such teleplatforms is the requirementto hâve a quite high building in relation to the aircraft to be serviced/painted (min. bottom truss level typically approx. 6m higher than the aircraft) which has a négative influence on the overall investment of such maintenance or painting facilities.

US 3814211 describes an apparatus especially designed for use in servicing the exterior of air and/or space vehicles comprising a vertical oriented telescopic mast, the upper end of which is fixedly connected to a trolley movable linearly on an overhead bridge which bridge is movable on a suitable overhead runway. The length ofthe overhead crâne (C) of US 3814211 extends beyond the vertical axis of the vertical stabilizer of the plane. The apparatus of US 3814211 does not comprise any suspended staging structure which is not vertically movable and is independent from the vertically movable latéral teleplatform unit.

EP 0626339 describes an overhead crâne with a movable telescopic arm (17) comprising vertically movable working platforms (22,23) for aircraft révision.

US 3602335 describes a platform positioning mechanism which relates to a combination of the class in which a carriage is mounted for vertical movement on a mast, the mast itself being mounted for latéral movement in a room or the like so as to bring the carriage into any position in the room. The length ofthe overhead crâne (C) of US 3602335 extends beyond the vertical axis ofthe vertical stabilizer ofthe plane.

US 5314083 describes a telescopic tower for suspension from an overhang trolley, crâne, or the like, hâve a lowermost tube for carrying a work area or platform, is constructed in that the tubes are of polygonal cross-section with inwardly, as well as outwardly projecting rails in corners ofthe polygon, rollers on the respective tubes run on these rails. The length ofthe overhead crâne of US 5314083 extends beyond the vertical axis ofthe vertical stabilizer ofthe plane.

GB 1236471 relates to an installation for facilitating access to external parts of an aéroplane. The length ofthe overhead crâne of GB 1236471 extends beyond the vertical axis ofthe vertical stabilizer of the plane (see figure 3). The staging structure (34a) is suspended by wheels running in the rails ofthe overhead crâne.

DE 4420502 relates to a device for maintenance of a plane. The length ofthe overhead crâne of DE 4420502 extends beyond the vertical axis of the vertical stabilizer of the plane (see figure 2).

EP 0903319 relates to a telescopic device for maintenance of a plane. EP 0903319 does not disclose any independent suspended staging structure connected to the overhead crâne (4) by a supporting structure (5), the suspended staging structure (20) comprising at least an upper working platform and at least a lower working platform fortreating the surface orcarrying out maintenance/inspection tasks of the vertical stabilizer of the aerial vehicle at different heights by at least one technician.

Summary of the invention:

The apparatus (20) for treating surfaces or carrying out maintenance and/or inspection tasks of a vertical stabilizer of an aerial vehicle ofthe présent invention is defined in claim 1 and the process is defined in claim 15.

The closest prior art is EP 0626339 (see figure 1 reference sign 14) because it shows a vertically movable telescopic arm (17) comprising vertically movable working platforms (22,23) and an overhead crâne (14) wherein its length does not extend beyond the vertical axis ofthe vertical stabilizer (26).

The différence between the closest prior art and the présent invention is that the suspended staging structure (20) is not vertically movable and is independent from the vertically movable latéral teleplatform unit (30) permitting to reach the suspended staging structure (20).

The technical effect generated by the différence is :

-firstly that the height ofthe roof of existing hangar buildings for treating surfaces or carrying out maintenance/inspection tasks ofthe vertical stabilizer (31) of an aerial vehicle can be reduced between about 2 to 6 meters,

-secondly that the volume of the hangar building is reduced improving the heating speed of the hangar building and reducing the heating costs,

-thirdly that the surface of the vertical stabilizer ofthe aerial vehicle is treated simuitaneously at different heights by several technicians,

-fourthly that we avoid an interdiction by the national authorities of hangar building construction due to a height exceeding the threshold,

-fifthly a réduction of building costs for hangars,

-sixthly that the technicians can effectively and safely reach the top of a plane stabilizer being at a maximum height substantively equal to the distance H between the roof (100) and the upper (4B) horizontal part ofthe overhead crâne (4).

These advantages prove the existence of a synergy effect between the telescopic teleplatform unit (30) and the suspended staging structure (20).

The objective problem solved by the présent invention is to find an apparatus permitting to improve the safety ofthe apparatus during maintenance and/or inspection tasks and efficacy of the treatment of the surface of a plane stabilizer (31) and also to provide the above mentioned advantages without deterring the environment.

The différence solves the above mentioned problem and is not obvious with regard to the closest prior art because EP 0626339 teaches only the presence of a vertically movable telescopic device (17) comprising at least one working piatform (22,23) directly connected to telescopic device (17) (see column 4 lines 24-27 and figure 1). It is worth to note that the function of the uppest piatform (24) in figure 1 of EP 0626339 is only to repair the motor of the telescopic device (see column 4 lines 28-34) contrary to the uppest piatform (62) ofthe présent invention which permits to treat the top of a plane stabilizer (31) being at a maximum height substantively equal to the distance H between the roof (100) and the upper (4B) horizontal part ofthe overhead crâne (4).

The différence solves the above mentioned problem and is not obvious with regard to the closest prior art combined with GB 1236471 because the length ofthe overhead crâne of GB 1236471 extends beyond the vertical axis ofthe vertical stabilizer ofthe plane (see figure 3). A person skilled in the art would not be led to combine an apparatus having the length of the overhead crâne not extending beyond the vertical axis of the vertical stabilizer of the plane

with an apparatus (to the contrary) having the length ofthe overhead crâne extending beyond the vertical axis ofthe vertical stabilizer ofthe plane.

The person skilled in the art would not be led to combine EP 0626339 with GB 1236471 or with US 3814211 because GB 1236471 and US 3814211 use overhead crânes wherein the length of the overhead crâne does extend beyond the vertical axis of the vertical stabilizer, contrarily to the présent invention, leading to much higher hangar roof than in the présent invention.

The présent invention will allow one or several technicians to access simultaneously most of the upper aircraft surface including the vertical stabilizer within a hangar building of much lower height compared to the typical setup with a teleplatform unit.

This will be achieved in using a teleplatform unit (30) which consists of a teleplatform carrier and a crâne to which an additional staging portion will be installed to extend the working area ofthe teleplatform. The access to the staging portion (20) can be achieved via the teleplatform working platform (41) when the platform is parked in a defined position and after a connecting hinged or rétractable stair/ladder (9) has been lowered up to the teleplatform working platform (41) level.

The staging consists of a variable number of levels (usually 1, 2, 3,4,5,6,7 or even more levels).

The apparatus ofthe présent invention is characterized by the fact that the overhead travelling crâne (4) comprises a multiple level staging (20) system which will allow access to the upper part ofthe vertical stabilizer (31) of an aircraft in low headroom hangars (e.g. between 0,4 meter and 7 meter above the upper tip of the vertical stabilizer of the highest aircraft to be served in this hangar). The access to the staging will be achieved by a rétractable or hinged stair (9) or ladder which will connect the teleplatform unit (30) working level with the staging structure (20).

The term “suspended” means hanging by firm attachment to something above.

The présent invention will be better understood with the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 : shows the front view ofthe system

Figure 2: shows a perspective view ofthe staging and working platform in parked position Figure 3: shows a front view ofthe staging and upper working platform permitting to a person to work on the top of the stabilizer, even if as shown in fig. 3 the distance “D” between the horizontal longitudinal lower part (4A) ofthe overhead crâne (4) and the roof ofthe hangar is higher than the distance “d” between the top ofthe stabilizer (31) ofthe highest aircraft to be served in a hangar and the roof (100) ofthe hangar. The vertical axis (A) ofthe stabilizer is shown.

Figure 4: shows a detail front view of the staging in retracted position and working platform in fuselage working position

Figure 5: shows a perspective view of the staging in retracted position and working platform in fuselage right working position.

Figure 6: represents figure 5 where the novel apparatus ofthe présent invention is only shown, the other apparatuses known from the prior art are in phantom lines.

Figure 7: defines the system axis (Χ,Υ,Ζ).

Detailed description ofthe invention:

The teleplatform apparatus consists of a teleplatform unit (30) and an overhead crâne (4). The overhead crâne (4) can travel along runways (along axis X) which are connected to the bottom truss ofthe horizontal building roof (100).

The teleplatform unit (30) consists of a carrier (3) which travels along the overhead crâne girders and though allows movements in latéral direction (along axis Y). The carrier (3) is connected to a telescopic mast (2), and at the bottom ofthe telescopic mast to a teleplatform working platform (41) with for safety reasons a mechanical mast protection (1). The telescopic mast (2) allows the teleplatform working platform (41) to be lifted / lowered from ground level up to a working height (along axis Z) which as a minimum would allow a technician to reach the top center area of the aircraft fuselage and the lower part of the vertical stabilizer (31) in combination with a hangar building of reduced height. The connection of the telescopic mast (2) and the carrier (3) is done by means of a slewing ring which will allow a rotation of the teleplatform mast (2) and the teleplatform working platform (41).

The above described system has 4 axis (X, Y, Z and rotation) which will allow the technician to reach any point of the hangar (within the travel and rotation system limits) with the main working edge in a best possible orientation towards the object (aircraft skin).

The overhead crâne (4) will be equipped with an additional independent staging structure (20) allowing the technicien to reach the vertical stabilizer (31) portion up to the upmost aircraft edge.

The staging structure (20) will be connected to the overhead crâne (4) by means of a supporting structure (5). The staging consists of above mentioned supporting structure to which multiple levels of working platforms (6) are connected. The access between one or a plurality of platforms is achieved using access stairs between working levels (11). The access to the staging is achieved using a rétractable or hinged stair/ladder (9) after the teleplatform working platform (41) has been moved under the staging platforms (6) and the teleplatform working platform (41) has been oriented in a defined direction (usually towards the hangar centerline). The at least one working platform (6) ofthe staging structure (20) is/are equipped with rétractable sliding platform extensions (7) which can be retracted to allow the aircraft to enter or leave the hangar and extended to guarantee best possible access to the aircraft skin. The platforms additionally hâve handrails (8) to protect the technicians. Optionally the front working edge may be left open for better aircraft access without handrails under the condition that the technicians use additional personal fall protection Systems. The front edge of the sliding platform extension is equipped with protecting bumpers (12) to avoid damages on the aircraft skin.

One or a plurality ofthe working platform(s) (6,61,62) ofthe staging structure (20) may be connected to the overhead crâne (4) maintenance walkway with an emergency escape stair (10).

An additional crâne for material lifting (14) may be installed to allow the technicians to lift the consumables to the platform levels.

The présent invention relates to an aerial vehicle vertical stabilizer (31) top access suspended apparatus for treating surfaces or carrying out maintenance/inspection tasks of the top ofthe vertical stabilizer (31) ofthe aerial vehicle by at least one technician in a hangar building of reduced height comprising:

a suspended mobile latéral teleplatform unit (30) connected to an overhead crâne (4) hanged on the roof of a hangar building of reduced height, the apparatus further comprises a suspended staging structure (20) connected to at least one extremity of the overhead crâne (4) by a supporting structure (5), the supporting structure (5) being connected to at least one working platform (6) for treating the surface or carrying out maintenance/inspection tasks of the vertical stabilizer ofthe aerial vehicle at different heights by the at least one technician, the longitudinal axis ofthe overhead crâne (4) is relatively perpendicular to the vertical axis of the vertical stabilizer (31) and the length ofthe overhead crâne (4) does not extend above the top ofthe vertical stabilizer (31), i.e. beyond the vertical axis ofthe vertical stabilizer (31), and

the horizontal longitudinal lower part (4A) ofthe length ofthe overhead crâne (4) is or may be lower in height than the top ofthe stabilizer (31).

In one embodiment the upper (62) working platform of the supporting structure (5) is substantially at the same level than the horizontal lower part (4A) of the overhead crâne (4). In another embodiment the upper (62) working platform ofthe supporting structure (5) is lower than the top ofthe vertical stabilizer ofthe highest aircraft to be served in this hangar.

The meaning of “fixed suspended staging structure (20)” is that the suspended staging structure (20) is not vertically movable even if the latéral teleplatform unit (30) moves vertically. The suspended staging structure (20) can only move laterally and horizontally together with the overhead crâne (4).

The meaning of “independent from the vertically movable latéral teleplatform unit (30)” is that the suspended staging structure (20) is an apparatus physically separated, distinct, independent from the teleplatform unit (30). Their only common support is the overhead crâne (4) . The direct connection ofthe staging structure (20) with the overhead crâne (4) is located at a different place on the overhead crâne (4) than the direct connection of the teleplatform unit (30) with the overhead crâne (4).

The meaning of “substantially the same level” is a distance between the horizontal longitudinal lower part (4A) ofthe overhead crâne (4) and the horizontal upper (62) working platform ofthe supporting structure (5). The horizontal upper (62) working platform ofthe supporting structure (5) can be above or under the horizontal longitudinal lower part (4A) of the overhead crâne (4).

Table 1: minimum and maximum values ofthe “d, D, H and G” heiqhts:

	Min. Value [m]	Max. Value [m]	Comments
d	0.4	7	dépends on Customer fleet a nd available hangar height
D	1	7	Depending on H as well as crâne girder height (which dépends on crâne span and max loading of bridge)
H	0.5	5.5	Depending on design of runway suspension and potential equipment under the ceiling (lights, ventilation equipment etc.)
Distance upper platform (62) to roof (100) (G)	2	7
Distance lower platform (61) to roof (100)	4	9
Distance platform (41) of the teleplatform unit to roof (100)	6	11

The vertical distance d between the top ofthe vertical stabilizer (31) ofthe highest aircraft to be served in this hangar and the roof (100) ofthe hangar is preferably comprised between 0,4m and 7m, between 1m and 6m, between 2m and 5m, between 3 and 4m, between 1m and 2m.

The vertical distance D between the horizontal lower part (4A) of the overhead crâne (4) and the roof (100) ofthe hangar is comprised preferably between 1m and 7m, between 1m and 6m, between 2m and 5m, between 3 and 4m, between 1m and 2m.

The vertical distance H between the horizontal upper (4B) part ofthe overhead crâne (4) and the roof (100) ofthe hangar is preferably comprised between 0,5m and 5,5m, between 1m and 5m, between 2m and 4m, between 2m and 3m, between 3 and 5m, between 1m and 2m. The vertical distance G between the horizontal upper (62) working platform ofthe supporting structure (5) and the roof (100) ofthe hangar is preferably comprised between 2m and 7m, between 2m and 3m, between 2,5m and 3,5m, between 2m and 3m, between 3 and 5m, between 1m and 2m.

The apparatus of the présent disclosure has a single suspended mobile latéral teleplatform unit (30) and a suspended staging structure (20) connected to an overhead crâne (4) hanged on the roof (100) ofthe hangar building of reduced height located on each side ofthe vertical stabilizer (31). This is shown at figure 7.

The at least one working platform (6) of the suspended staging structure (20) can comprise preferably either one working platform, or more preferably an upper (62) and a lower (61) working platform or even a third intermediate working platform, or a fourth, a fifth, a sixth or even more working platforms.

The apparatus comprises a working platform (41 ) ofthe teleplatform unit (30) stopping at about the same latéral position relative to the vertical stabilizer (31) as the lower working platform (61) ofthe suspended staging structure (20). The air gap between the working platform (41) and the vertical stabilizer (31) is less than 100 cm, less than 80 cm, less than 60 cm, less than 40 cm, less than 30 cm, preferably comprised between 1 cm and 30 cm, more preferably between 1 cm and 25 cm, most preferably between 1 cm and 15 cm, between 1 cm and 10 cm, between 1 cm and 5 cm.

The working platform (6, 61, 62) is positioned such that at least one technician Works in a working plane which is substantially parallel to a plane XZ, wherein X is the longitudinal axis ofthe aerial vehicie and Z is the vertical axis ofthe vertical stabilizer (31) (see figure 7).

The working platform (6), the upper working platform (62) and the lower working platform (61) are at a working height superior to the maximum working height of a teleplatform working platform (41).

The apparatus can comprise a foldable hinged footbridge connecting the teleplatform working platform (41) and the lower (61) working platform ofthe staging structure (20).

At least one technician can be lifted from the ground by the teleplatform unit (30) to the lower working platform (6).

The aerial vehicle can be a motorized aerial vehicle, like an aircraft or a helicopter, or the aerial vehicle can be a non-motorized aerial vehicle, like a glider.

The hangar building height is less than 25 meters, and preferably can be comprised between 13 meters and 25 meters.

Stairs (11) link at least two working platforms (6) connected to the supporting structure (5). The working platforms (6) can be equipped with rétractable sliding platform extensions (7). The front edge ofthe sliding platform extension (7) can be equipped with protecting bumpers (12). The working platforms (6) can be equipped with handrails (8).

The front working edge ofthe working platforms (6) might not be equipped with handrails (8). At least one working platform (61,62) ofthe staging structure (20) can be connected to the overhead crâne (4) maintenance walkway with an emergency escape stair (10).

The access to the suspended staging structure (20) can be achieved using a rétractable ladder/stair (9) after the working platform (41) ofthe teleplatform unit (30) has been moved under the staging platforms (6) and the working platform (41) has been oriented towards the hangar centreline.

The présent invention concerns an apparatus for treating surfaces or carrying out maintenance/inspection tasks of a vertical stabilizer (31) (preferably the top) of an aerial vehicle by at least one technician comprising:

a single overhead crâne (4) firmly hanged/attached/connected on a roof (100) of a hangar building,

- a single suspended vertically movable latéral teleplatform unit (30) comprising a telescopic mast (2) connected to the single overhead crâne (4), a suspended staging structure (20) firmly connected to the overhead crâne (4) by a supporting structure (5), the suspended staging structure (20) comprising at least one working platform (61,62) for treating or carrying out maintenance/inspection tasks of the vertical stabilizer (31) of the aerial vehicle at different heights by at least one technician, the length of the overhead crâne (4) does not extend beyond the vertical axis (A) of the vertical stabilizer (31), characterized in that the suspended staging structure (20) is not vertically movable and is independent from the vertically movable latéral teleplatform unit (30) permitting to reach the suspended staging structure (20).

Preferably, a single suspended staging structure (20) is directly connected to a single overhead crâne (4) hanged on the roof (100) ofthe hangar building located on each side of the vertical stabilizer (31).

Preferably the distance D between the horizontal lower part (4A) of the overhead crâne (4) and the roof (100) ofthe hangar is higher than a distance d between the top ofthe stabilizer (31) ofthe aerial vehicle and the roof (100) ofthe hangar.

Preferably the distance D between the horizontal lower part (4A) of the overhead crâne (4) and the roof (100) of the hangar is equal or lower than a distance d between the top of the stabilizer (31) ofthe aerial vehicle and the roof (100) ofthe hangar.

Preferably the distance G between the horizontal upper (62) working platform and the roof (100) ofthe hangar is higher than a distance D between the horizontal lower part (4A) ofthe overhead crâne (4) and the roof (100) ofthe hangar.

Preferably the distance G between the horizontal upper (62) working platform and the roof (100) ofthe hangar is equal or lowerthan a distance D between the horizontal lower part (4A) ofthe overhead crâne (4) and the roof (100) ofthe hangar.

Preferably the distance G between the horizontal upper (62) working platform and the roof (100) ofthe hangar is higher or equal than a distance d between the top ofthe stabilizer (31) ofthe aerial vehicle and the roof (100) ofthe hangar.

Preferably the distance G between the horizontal upper (62) working platform and the roof (100) of the hangar is lower than a distance d between the top of the stabilizer (31) of the aerial vehicle and the roof (100) ofthe hangar.

Preferably the distance d between the top ofthe stabilizer (31) ofthe aerial vehicle and the roof (100) ofthe hangar is equal or higher than a distance H between the roof (100) and the upper (4B) horizontal part of the overhead crâne (4).

Preferably the distance d between the top ofthe stabilizer (31) ofthe aerial vehicle and the roof (100) ofthe hangar is lower than a distance H between the roof (100) and an upper (4B) horizontal part ofthe overhead crâne (4).

Preferably the rétractable stairs (9) link the lower (61) and the upper (62) working platforms of the suspended staging structure (20).

Preferably the upper (62) working platform or at least one working platform (61,62) is connected to the overhead crâne (4) maintenance walkway with an emergency escape stair (10).

Preferably the access to the suspended staging structure (20) is achieved using rétractable stairs (9) after a working platform (41) ofthe teleplatform unit (30) has been moved underthe lower (61) working platform ofthe staging structure (20) and the working platform (41) has been oriented towards the hangar building centreline.

The présent disclosure also relates also to a process for treating surfaces or carrying out maintenance/inspection tasks of a vertical stabilizer (31) of an aerial vehicle by at least one technician in a hangar building of reduced height comprising the following steps:

- lifting at least one technician from the ground by a teleplatform unit (30) to the proximity of a lower (61) working platform (6) of a suspended staging structure (20),

- treating the surface or carrying out maintenance/inspection tasks of the vertical stabilizer (31) ofthe aerial vehicle at different heights by the at least one technician,

- working at a working height superior to the maximum working height of a teleplatform working platform (41).

moving an overhead crâne (4) at a distance D being the distance between the horizontal lower part (4A) ofthe overhead crâne (4) and the roof (100) ofthe hangar and the distance D which may be higherthan the distance d between the top ofthe stabilizer (31) ofthe highest aircraft to be served in this hangar and roof (100) of the hangar,

- working on an upper (62) working platform of a supporting structure (5) being at substantially the same level than the horizontal lower part (4A) of the overhead crâne (4) or substantially 1,5m lower than the top ofthe vertical stabilizer ofthe highest aircraft to be served in this hangar.

The surface ofthe vertical stabilizer (31) ofthe aerial vehicle can be treated simultaneously at different heights by the at least one technician.

The working platform (6, 61, 62) ofthe staging structure (20) is positioned such that at least one technician works in a working plane which is substantially parallel to a plane XZ, wherein X is the longitudinal axis ofthe aerial vehicle and Z is the vertical axis ofthe vertical stabilizer (31) (see figure 7).

The suspended staging structure (20) ofthe présent invention is firmly attached to an end face of the rails of the overhead crâne (4) allowing it to give access to a higher position of the aircraft than the mobile teleplatform (30).

The présent invention relates also to a process for treating surfaces or carrying out maintenance/inspection tasks of a vertical stabilizer (31 ) of an aerial vehicle by the apparatus of the présent invention, comprising the following steps:

- reaching a working position where the length of the overhead crâne (4) does not extend beyond the vertical axis of the vertical stabilizer (31), lifting at least one technician from the ground by a teleplatform unit (30) to the proximity of an independent and vertically non movable suspended staging structure (20) comprising at least one working platform (61,62), accessing the independent and vertically non movable suspended staging structure (20) from the vertically movable latéral teleplatform unit (30) by a ladder (9).

- treating the surface or carrying out maintenance/inspection tasks of the vertical stabilizer (31) of the aerial vehicle at different heights by at least one technician.

It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention, which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable subcombination.

Although the invention has been described in conjunction with spécifie embodiments thereof, it is évident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace ali such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. Apparatus for treating surfaces or carrying out maintenance and/or inspection tasks of a vertical stabilizer (31) of an aerial vehicle by at least one technician comprising:

a roof (100) of a hangar building, a single overhead crâne (4) firmly hanged on the roof (100), a single suspended vertically movable latéral teleplatform unit (30) comprising a telescopic mast (2) directly connected to the single overhead crâne (4), a suspended staging structure (20) firmly connected to the overhead crâne (4) by a supporting structure (5), the suspended staging structure (20) comprising at least one working platform (61,62) for treating or carrying out maintenance and/or inspection tasks ofthe vertical stabilizer (31) ofthe aerial vehicle at different heights by at least one technician, the length of the overhead crâne (4) does not extend beyond the vertical axis (A) of the vertical stabilizer (31), characterized in that the suspended staging structure (20) is not vertically movable and is independent from the vertically movable latéral teleplatform unit (30) permitting to reach the suspended staging structure (20).

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the single suspended staging structure (20) is located on each side ofthe vertical stabilizer (31).

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a distance D between a horizontal lower part (4A) ofthe overhead crâne (4) and the roof (100) ofthe hangar is higher than a distance d between the top of the stabilizer (31) of the aerial vehicle and the roof (100) of the hangar.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a distance D between a horizontal lower part (4A) of the overhead crâne (4) and the roof (100) of the hangar is equal or lower than a distance d between the top ofthe stabilizer (31) ofthe aerial vehicle and the roof (100) ofthe hangar.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the distance G between a horizontal upper (62) working platform and the roof (100) ofthe hangar is higher than a distance D between a horizontal lower part (4A) ofthe overhead crâne (4) and the roof (100) ofthe hangar.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the distance G between a horizontal upper (62) working platform and the roof (100) ofthe hangar is equal or lower than a distance D between a horizontal lower part (4A) of the overhead crâne (4) and the roof (100) of the hangar.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the distance G between a horizontal upper (62) working platform and the roof (100) ofthe hangar is higher or equal than a distance d between the top ofthe stabilizer (31) ofthe aerial vehicle and the roof (100) ofthe hangar.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the distance G between a horizontal upper (62) working platform and the roof (100) ofthe hangar is lower than a distance d between the top of the stabilizer (31) of the aerial vehicle and the roof (100) of the hangar.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a distance d between the top ofthe stabilizer (31) of the aerial vehicle and the roof (100) of the hangar is equal or higher than a distance H between the roof (100) and an upper (4B) horizontal part ofthe overhead crâne (4).

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a distance d between the top ofthe stabilizer (31) ofthe aerial vehicle and the roof (100) ofthe hangar is lowerthan a distance H between the roof (100) and an upper (4B) horizontal part ofthe overhead crâne (4).

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one stair (11) link a lower (61) working platform and an upper (62) working platform ofthe suspended staging structure (20).

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one working platform (61,62) ofthe staging structure (20) is connected to the overhead crâne (4) maintenance walkway with at least one emergency escape stair (10).

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the access to a lower (61 ) working platform of the suspended staging structure (20) is achieved using at least one rétractable stair (9) after a working platform (41) ofthe teleplatform unit (30) has been moved under the lower (61) working platform and the teleplatform working platform (41) has been oriented towards the hangar building centreline.

14. The apparatus of claims 3 to 10, wherein the distance d is comprised between 0,4m and 7m, the distance G is comprised between 2m and 7m, the distance D is comprised between 1m and 7m and the distance H is comprised between 0,5m and 5,5m.

15. Process for treating surfaces or carrying out maintenance and/or inspection tasks of a vertical stabilizer (31) of an aerial vehicle by the apparatus of claims 1 to 14, comprising the following steps:

- reaching a working position where the length of the overhead crâne (4) does not extend beyond the vertical axis (A) ofthe vertical stabilizer (31),

- lifting at least one technician from the ground by a teleplatform unit (30) to the proximity of an independent and vertically non movable suspended staging structure (20) comprising at least one working platform (61,62),

- accessing from the vertically movable latéral teleplatform unit (30), by a rétractable stair (9), the independent and vertically non movable suspended staging structure (20),

16. The process of claim 15, wherein the surface of the vertical stabilizer (31) of the aerial

5 vehicle is treated simultaneously at different heights by different technicians.

17. The process of claim 15, wherein an upper working platform (62) is positioned such that at least one technician works in a working plane which is substantially parallel to a plane XZ, wherein X is the longitudinal axis of the aerial vehicle and Z is the vertical axis of the vertical stabilizer (31).