Data processing: vehicles – navigation – and relative location – Vehicle control – guidance – operation – or indication – Determining balance or center of gravity
Reexamination Certificate
2000-05-25
2001-10-23
Zanelli, Michael J. (Department: 3661)
Data processing: vehicles, navigation, and relative location
Vehicle control, guidance, operation, or indication
Determining balance or center of gravity
C702S174000, C177S136000, C073S065050
Reexamination Certificate
active
06308131
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to methods of loading aircraft, and more particularly, this invention relates to a method of pre-planning the loading of an aircraft using center of gravity calculations before physically loading pallets on the aircraft.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Determining the center of gravity in an aircraft is important for maintaining aerodynamic control over the aircraft as changes occur over various aerodynamic control surfaces, such as when the elevator, rudder, or ailerons are maneuvered and adjusted by the pilot. The amount of force generated by each aerodynamic control surface changes as the control surfaces change and the aircraft rotates about a point known as the center of gravity. This is the average location of the weight of the aircraft where the mass (and weight) are actually distributed through the airplane. Determining where pallets of different weights are positioned within pallet positions of an aircraft is important to maintain the center of gravity and not have too much weight in one part of the aircraft. Often weight sensing devices are used, such as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,446,524 where an apparatus for loading and unloading an aircraft ascertains the individual weight of any type of load, including passengers and hand baggage. Portable pallet weighing and other apparatus are used for determining the weight and center of gravity of an aircraft, such as in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,935,885 and 4,479,560. Some apparatus, such as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,032,090, use an on-board aircraft system for determining the weight and load-related characteristics of an aircraft having landing gear struts and other associated components for determining the load-related characteristics and aid in center of gravity calculations.
However, much of the various load limitations of the aircraft are known because the various characteristics of an individual aircraft are known, including certificate limits and other limits. Much of this information could be used to pre-plan the loading of an aircraft before physically loading the pallets to maintain the center of gravity.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, a method of pre-planning the loading of an aircraft before physically loading pallets on the aircraft is disclosed. An identifier of a particular aircraft to be loaded is entered into a processor. A data file relating to the loading limitations for the particular identified aircraft to be loaded is retrieved from a database associated with the processor. Data is then entered regarding the amount of fuel, such as the weight upon departure. Data is entered for the weights of pallets to be loaded into pallet positions. A user selects a first option for calculating within the processor the optimum location of pallets in pallet positions to obtain the optimum center of gravity balance of the aircraft, or the user selects a second option for determining if the center of gravity of the aircraft based on the location of pallets and pallet positions are within the center of gravity limits of the aircraft.
A pallet loading configuration is loaded and displayed on a computer screen after calculating the optimum pallet positions when the first option is selected. It is possible to save the pallet loading configuration to a disk, which can then be transferred to a flight crew or ground crew. If the center of gravity of the aircraft based on the entered pallet positions are not within the center of gravity limits of the aircraft, then an error message can be displayed.
The supplemental type certificate limits for the aircraft to be loaded can be displayed on a computer screen. Fixed weights of pallet position that hold pallets can be assigned and not moved after initially entering weights for the pallets. Thus, it would not be possible to change the weights in those pallet positions for center of gravity calculations. This is especially applicable to having pallet positions that hold hazardous materials. The data file can store the V-speeds, engine pressure ratio, and data relating to supplemental types of certificate limits for the identified aircraft to be loaded.
In still another aspect of the present invention, the aircraft includes a cargo hold having a plurality of pallet positions and a lower compartment with lower compartment loading positions. Data of the load weights of the lower compartment loading positions is entered and as the data for each lower compartment weight is entered, the available weight for a lower compartment loading position is calculated within the processor. It is possible to display on a computer screen the Take-Off Gross Weight Center of Gravity (TOGW CG) and center of gravity limits as data of the load weights is entered to reach lower compartment loading positions.
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Allen Dyer Doppelt Milbrath & Gilchrist, P.A.
Capital Cargo International Airlines, Inc.
Gibson Eric M
Zanelli Michael J.
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