IP Library › Granted Patent US 6,867,702
Granted Patent B2
US 6,867,702 · App. 10/392,163 · Granted Mar 15, 2005

Freight-loading system for an aircraft

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 6,867,702
App. No.
10/392,163
Granted
Mar 15, 2005
Kind
B2
Abstract

A freight-loading system in a cargo hold of an aircraft is provided that offers enhanced operating safety. The freight-loading system comprises a plurality of power drive units (PDUs), which can be actuated by control signals in such a way that items of freight can be maneuvered into or out of the cargo hold as well as within it. The power drive units (PDUs) are connected by control leads to control panels for actuation by personnel. A control maintenance computer (CMC) is provided and connected to the power drive units (PDUs) and the control panels, and is so designed that status information from the power drive units (PDUs) and the control panels can be read out, and that the power drive units (PDUs) and/or the control panels are controllable by the control maintenance computer (CMC).

Claims (14)

1. Freight-loading system for a cargo hold of an aircraft, comprising

a plurality of power drive units with rollers (PDUs), which can be actuated by control signals in such a way that items of freight can be maneuvered into or out of the cargo hold as well as within it;

control panels for actuation by personnel;

control leads connecting the power drive units to the control panels;

a control maintenance computer (CMC) connected to the power drive units and to the control panels, and so designed that status information from the power drive units and the control panels can be read out and that at least one of the power drive units and the control panels are controllable by the control maintenance computer.

2. Freight-loading system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the power drive units (PDUs) and the control panels are connected to the control maintenance computer by a communication area network (CAN) bus.

3. Freight-loading system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the power drive units (PDUs) comprise sensors which are connected to at least one of the control maintenance computer (CMC) and the control panels, and each of which detects at least one of the presence and absence of items of freight in the region of the power drive unit associated therewith, and an operating state of said power drive unit.

4. Freight-loading system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the control maintenance computer (CMC) comprises display devices which can display operating states and any malfunctions of the power drive units (PDUs) and of the control panels.

5. Freight-loading system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the control maintenance computer (CMC) comprises memory devices for storing sequences of operating states including sequences of any malfunction states of the power drive units (PDUs) and of the control panels during a loading process.

6. Freight-loading system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the control maintenance computer (CMC) is designed and connected to the control panels such that individual power drive units (PDUs) can be controlled despite contradictory control signals from the control panels.

7. Freight-loading system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the control maintenance computer (CMC) has several operational levels in which the particular groups of information details that can be read out and the kinds of commands that can be executed differ from one another.

8. Freight-loading system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the control maintenance computer (CMC) comprises display devices for disposition in a region close to the doors of the cargo hold.

9. Freight-loading system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the CMC ( 15 ) comprises memory devices for storing and reading out possible malfunction situations and/or warning signals as well as the associated measures to be taken for the purpose of assistance or repair.

10. Freight-loading system as claimed in claim 1 , comprising a display device designed to display a representation of a plurality of the power drive units (PDUs) in which their relative positions correspond to their actual positions in the cargo hold and their momentary operating states, including any states of malfunction, are indicated.

Assignments (7)
RELEASE OF PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT RECORDED FEBRUARY 19, 2019 AT REEL/FRAME 048365/0499 Recorded Jun 6, 2024
From: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS TRUSTEE
To: TRANSDIGM INC.; TRANSDIGM GROUP INCORPORATED; AEROSONIC LLC; MOUNTAINTOP TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; AIRBORNE SYSTEMS NORTH AMERICA OF NJ INC.; SHIELD RESTRAINT SYSTEMS, INC.; AMSAFE, INC.; ARKWIN INDUSTRIES, INC.; AVIONIC INSTRUMENTS, INC.; AEROSONIC CORPORATION; AVTECHTYEE, INC.; BREEZE-EASTERN LLC; BRUCE AEROSPACE INC.; CEF INDUSTRIES, LLC; CHAMPION AEROSPACE LLC; DATA DEVICE CORPORATION; DUKES AEROSPACE, INC.; PURE TECHNOLOGIES LTD.; HARCO LABORATORIES, INC.; HARCO LLC; HARCO TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION; CORRPRO COMPANIES, INC.; HARCO CORPORATION; HARTWELL CORPORATION; MARATHONNORCO AEROSPACE, INC.; PNEUDRAULICS, INC.; SCHNELLER LLC; SEMCO INSTRUMENTS, INC.; TACTAIR FLUID CONTROLS, INC.; TEAC AEROSPACE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; TELAIR INTERNATIONAL GMBH; TELAIR INTERNATIONAL AB; NORDISK AVIATION PRODUCTS AS; TURNTIME TECHNOLOGIES AB; AEROCONTROLEX GROUP, INC.; TRANSICOIL INC.; SOUTHCO, INC.; WHIPPANY ACTUATION SYSTEMS, LLC; YOUNG & FRANKLIN INC.; ARMTEC COUNTERMEASURES CO.; ADVANCED INPUT DEVICES, INC.; ARMTEC DEFENSE PRODUCTS COMPANY; JOSLYN SUNBANK COMPANY LLC; LEACH INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION; SOURIAU USA, INC.; NMC GROUP, INC.; TA AEROSPACE CO.; MASON ELECTRIC CO.; KORRY ELECTRONICS CO.; PALOMAR PRODUCTS, INC.; ROLLS-ROYCE PLC; MEMTRON TECHNOLOGIES CO.; CHELTON, INC. (N/K/A CHELTON AVIONICS, INC.); SIMPLEX MANUFACTURING CO.; APICAL INDUSTRIES, INC.; AERO-INSTRUMENTS CO., LLC; AIRBORNE SYSTEMS NA, INC.; HARCOSEMCO LLC; HARCO, LLC (N/K/A HARCOSEMCO LLC); PEXCO AEROSPACE, INC.; TELAIR US LLC; CALSPAN AERO SYSTEMS ENGINEERING, INC.; CALSPAN SYSTEMS, LLC; ADAMS RITE AEROSPACE, INC.; ACME AEROSPACE, INC.; SCHNELLER, INC.; CEF INDUSTRIES, INC.
Reel/Frame 067640/0147 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 19, 2023
From: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS TRUSTEE
To: TA AEROSPACE CO.; TRANSDIGM, INC.; TRANSDIGM GROUP INCORPORATED; ACME AEROSPACE, INC.; ADAMS RITE AEROSPACE, INC.; AEROCONTROLEX GROUP, INC.; AEROSONIC CORPORATION; AIRBORNE HOLDINGS, INC.; AIRBORNE SYSTEMS NORTH AMERICA OF NJ INC.; AMSAFE COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS INC.; AMSAFE, INC.; ARKWIN INDUSTRIES, INC.; AVIONIC INSTRUMENTS LLC; AVIONICS SPECIALTIES, INC.; AVTECH TYEE, INC.; BEAM'S INDUSTRIES; BREEZE EASTERN CORPORATION; BRUCE AEROSPACE, INC.; CEF INDUSTRIES, INC.; CHAMPION AEROSPACE LLC; DATA DEVICE CORPORATION; DUKES AEROSPACE, INC.; ELECTROMECH TECHNOLOGIES LLC; HARCO LABORATORIES, INC.; HARCO LLC; HARTWELL CORPORATION; MARATHONNORCO AEROSPACE, INC.; PEXCO AEROSPACE, INC.; PNEUDRAULICS, INC.; SCHNELLER LLC; SEMCO INSTRUMENTS, INC.; SHIELD RESTRAINT SYSTEMS, INC.; TACTAIR FLUID CONTROLS INC.; TEAC AEROSPACE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; TELAIR INTERNATIONAL LLC; TRANSCOIL LLC; WESTERN SKY INDUSTRIES, LLC; WHIPPANY ACTUATION SYSTEMS, LLC; YOUNG & FRANKLIN INC.; ARMTEC COUNTERMEASURES CO.; ARMTEC DEFENSE PRODUCTS COMPANY; LEACH INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION; NMC GROUP INC.; MASON ELECTRIC CO.; KORRY ELECTRONICS CO.; PALOMAR PRODUCTS, INC.; CHELTON, INC. (N/K/A CHELTON AVIONICS, INC.); SIMPLEX MANUFACTURING CO.; APICAL INDUSTRIES, INC.
Reel/Frame 063363/0753 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 27, 2023
From: TRANSDIGM, INC.; TRANSDIGM GROUP INCORPORATED; TRANSDIGM UK HOLDINGS PLC; 17111 WATERVIEW PKWY LLC; ACME AEROSPACE, INC.; ADAMS RITE AEROSPACE, INC.; AEROCONTROLEX GROUP, INC.; AEROSONIC LLC; AIRBORNE ACQUISITION, INC.; AIRBORNE GLOBAL, INC.; AIRBORNE HOLDINGS, INC.; AIRBORNE SYSTEMS NA INC.; AIRBORNE SYSTEMS NORTH AMERICA INC.; AIRBORNE SYSTEMS NORTH AMERICA OF CA INC.; AIRBORNE SYSTEMS NORTH AMERICA OF NJ INC.; AMSAFE GLOBAL HOLDINGS, INC.; AMSAFE, INC.; ANGUS ELECTRONICS CO.; APICAL INDUSTRIES, INC.; ARKWIN INDUSTRIES, INC.; ARMTEC COUNTERMEASURES CO.; ARMTEC COUNTERMEASURES TNO CO.; ARMTEC DEFENSE PRODUCTS CO.; AUXITROL WESTON USA, INC.; AVIATION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; AVIONIC INSTRUMENTS LLC; AVIONICS SPECIALTIES, INC.; AVTECHTYEE, INC.; BETA TRANSFORMER TECHNOLOGY LLC; BREEZE-EASTERN LLC; BRIDPORT ERIE AVIATION; BRIDPORT HOLDINGS, INC.; BRIDPORT-AIR CARRIER, INC.; BRUCE AEROSPACE INC.; CDA INTERCORP LLC; CEF INDUSTRIES, LLC; CENTURY HELICOPTERS, INC.; CHAMPION AEROSPACE LLC; CHELTON AVIONICS HOLDINGS, INC.; CHELTON AVIONICS, INC.; CHELTON DEFENSE PRODUCTS, INC.; CMC ELECTRONICS AURORA LLC; DART AEROSPACE USA, INC.; DART BUYER, INC.; DART HELICOPTER SERVICES, INC.; DART INTERMEDIATE, INC.; DART TOPCO, INC.; DATA DEVICE CORPORATION; DUKES AEROSPACE, INC.; ELECTROMECH TECHNOLOGIES LLC; ESTERLINE EUROPE COMPANY LLC; ESTERLINE INTERNATIONAL COMPANY; ESTERLINE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION; ESTERLINE TECHNOLOGIES SGIP LLC; HARCOSEMCO LLC; HARTWELL CORPORATION; HELI TECH, INC.; HYTEK FINISHES CO.; ILC HOLDINGS, INC.; JANCO CORPORATION; JOHNSON LIVERPOOL LLC; KIRKHILL INC.; KORRY ELECTRONICS CO.; LEACH HOLDING CORPORATION; LEACH INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION; LEACH MEXICO HOLDING LLC; LEACH TECHNOLOGY GROUP, INC.; MARATHONNORCO AEROSPACE, INC.; MASON ELECTRIC CO.; MCKECHNIE AEROSPACE DE, INC.; MCKECHNIE AEROSPACE HOLDINGS, INC.; MCKECHNIE AEROSPACE US LLC; NAT SEATTLE INC.; NMC GROUP, INC.; NORDISK AVIATION PRODUCTS LLC; NORTH HILLS SIGNAL PROCESSING CORP.; NORTH HILLS SIGNAL PROCESSING OVERSEAS LLC; NORWICH AERO PRODUCTS, INC.; OFFSHORE HELICOPTER SUPPORT SERVICES, INC.; PALOMAR PRODUCTS, INC.; PARAVION TECHNOLOGY, INC.; PEXCO AEROSPACE, INC.; PNEUDRAULICS, INC.; POWER DEVICE CORPORATION; SCHNELLER LLC; SEMCO INSTRUMENTS, INC.; SHIELD RESTRAINT SYSTEMS, INC.; SIMPLEX MANUFACTURING CO.; SKANDIA, INC.; SKURKA AEROSPACE INC.; SYMETRICS INDUSTRIES, LLC; TA AEROSPACE CO.; TACTAIR FLUID CONTROLS, INC.; TDG ESL HOLDINGS INC.; TEAC AEROSPACE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; TELAIR US LLC; TEXAS ROTRONICS, INC.; TRANSICOIL LLC; WHIPPANY ACTUATION SYSTEMS, LLC; YOUNG & FRANKLIN INC.
To: GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 062880/0580 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 27, 2023
From: TRANSDIGM INC.; TRANSDIGM GROUP INCORPORATED; 17111 WATERVIEW PKWY LLC; ACME AEROSPACE, INC.; ADAMS RITE AEROSPACE, INC.; AEROCONTROLEX GROUP, INC.; AEROSONIC LLC; AIRBORNE ACQUISITION, INC.; AIRBORNE GLOBAL, INC.; AIRBORNE HOLDINGS, INC.; AIRBORNE SYSTEMS NA INC.; AIRBORNE SYSTEMS NORTH AMERICA INC.; AIRBORNE SYSTEMS NORTH AMERICA OF CA INC.; AMSAFE GLOBAL HOLDINGS, INC.; AMSAFE, INC.; ANGUS ELECTRONICS CO.; APICAL INDUSTRIES, INC.; ARKWIN INDUSTRIES, INC.; ARMTEC COUNTERMEASURES CO.; ARMTEC COUNTERMEASURES TNO CO.; ARMTEC DEFENSE PRODUCTS CO.; AUXITROL WESTON USA, INC.; AVIATION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; AVIONIC INSTRUMENTS LLC; AVIONICS SPECIALTIES, INC.; AVTECHTYEE, INC.; BETA TRANSFORMER TECHNOLOGY LLC; BREEZE-EASTERN LLC; BRIDPORT HOLDINGS, INC.; BRIDPORT-AIR CARRIER, INC.; BRUCE AEROSPACE INC.; CDA INTERCORP LLC; CEF INDUSTRIES, LLC; CENTURY HELICOPTERS, INC.; CHAMPION AEROSPACE LLC; CHELTON AVIONICS HOLDINGS, INC.; CHELTON AVIONICS, INC.; CHELTON DEFENSE PRODUCTS, INC.; CMC ELECTRONICS AURORA LLC; DART AEROSPACE USA, INC.; DART BUYER, INC.; DART HELICOPTER SERVICES, INC.; DART INTERMEDIATE, INC.; DART TOPCO, INC.; DATA DEVICE CORPORATION; DUKES AEROSPACE, INC.; ELECTROMECH TECHNOLOGIES LLC; ESTERLINE EUROPE COMPANY LLC; ESTERLINE INTERNATIONAL COMPANY; ESTERLINE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION; ESTERLINE TECHNOLOGIES SGIP LLC; HARCOSEMCO LLC; HARTWELL CORPORATION; HELI TECH, INC.; HYTEK FINISHES CO.; ILC HOLDINGS, INC.; JANCO CORPORATION; JOHNSON LIVERPOOL LLC; KIRKHILL INC.; KORRY ELECTRONICS CO.; LEACH HOLDING CORPORATION; LEACH INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION; LEACH MEXICO HOLDING LLC; LEACH TECHNOLOGY GROUP, INC.; MARATHONNORCO AEROSPACE, INC.; MASON ELECTRIC CO.; MCKECHNIE AEROSPACE DE, INC.; MCKECHNIE AEROSPACE HOLDINGS, INC.; MCKECHNIE AEROSPACE US LLC; NAT SEATTLE INC.; NMC GROUP, INC.; NORDISK AVIATION PRODUCTS LLC; NORTH HILLS SIGNAL PROCESSING CORP.; NORTH HILLS SIGNAL PROCESSING OVERSEAS LLC; NORWICH AERO PRODUCTS, INC.; OFFSHORE HELICOPTER SUPPORT SERVICES, INC.; PALOMAR PRODUCTS, INC.; PARAVION TECHNOLOGY, INC.; PEXCO AEROSPACE, INC.; PNEUDRAULICS, INC.; POWER DEVICE CORPORATION; SCHNELLER LLC; SEMCO INSTRUMENTS, INC.; SHIELD RESTRAINT SYSTEMS, INC.; SIMPLEX MANUFACTURING CO.; SKANDIA, INC.; SKURKA AEROSPACE INC.; SYMETRICS INDUSTRIES, LLC; TA AEROSPACE CO.; TACTAIR FLUID CONTROLS, INC.; TDG ESL HOLDINGS INC.; TEAC AEROSPACE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; TELAIR US LLC; TEXAS ROTRONICS, INC.; TRANSICOIL LLC; WHIPPANY ACTUATION SYSTEMS, LLC; YOUNG & FRANKLIN INC.; AIRBORNE SYSTEMS NORTH AMERICA OF NJ INC.; BRIDPORT ERIE AVIATION, INC.; TRANSDIGM UK HOLDINGS PLC
To: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS TRUSTEE
Reel/Frame 063012/0788 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Apr 9, 2020
From: AIRBORNE SYSTEMS NORTH AMERICA OF NJ INC.; ACME AEROSPACE, INC.; ADAMS RITE AEROSPACE, INC.; AEROCONTROLEX GROUP, INC.; AEROSONIC CORPORATION/LLC; AIRBORNE HOLDINGS, INC.; AMSAFE COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS INC.; AMSAFE, INC.; ARKWIN INDUSTRIES, INC.; AVIONIC INSTRUMENTS LLC; AVIONICS SPECIALTIES, INC.; AVTECHTYEE, INC.; BEAM’S INDUSTRIES; BREEZE-EASTERN CORPORATION; BRUCE AEROSPACE, INC.; CEF INDUSTRIES, INC.; CHAMPION AEROSPACE LLC; DATA DEVICE CORPORATION; DUKES AEROSPACE, INC.; ELECTROMECH TECHNOLOGIES LLC; HARCO LABORATORIES, INCORPORATED; HARCO LLC; HARTWELL CORPORATION; MARATHONNORCO AEROSPACE, INC.; PEXCO AEROSPACE, INC.; PNEUDRAULICS, INC.; SCHNELLER LLC; SEMCO INSTRUMENTS, INC.; SHIELD RESTRAINT SYSTEMS, INC.; TACTAIR FLUID CONTROLS, INC.; TEAC AEROSPACE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; TELAIR INTERNATIONAL LLC; TRANSDIGM, INC.; TRANSCOIL LLC; WESTERN SKY INDUSTRIES, LLC; WHIPPANY ACTUATION SYSTEMS, LLC; YOUNG & FRANKLIN INC.; ARMTEC COUNTERMEASURES CO.; ARMTEC DEFENSE PRODUCTS COMPANY; ARMTEC DEFENSE PRODUCTS CO.; LEACH INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION; NMC GROUP, INC.; TA AEROSPACE CO.; MASON ELECTRIC COMPANY; KORRY ELECTRONICS CO.; PALOMAR PRODUCTS, INC.
To: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS TRUSTEE AND NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 052352/0704 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 19, 2019
From: TRANSDIGM, INC.; ADAMS RITE AEROSPACE, INC.; AEROCONTROLEX GROUP, INC.; AEROSONIC LLC (F/K/A AEROSONIC CORPORATION); AIRBORNE HOLDINGS, INC.; AIRBORNE SYSTEMS OF NORTH AMERICA OF NJ INC.; AMSAFE, INC.; ARKWIN INDUSTRIES, INC.; AVIONIC INSTRUMENTS LLC; AVIONICS SPECIALTIES, INC.; AVTECHTYEE, INC.; BREEZE-EASTERN LLC (F/K/A BREEZE-EASTERN CORPORATION); BRUCE AEROSPACE, INC.; CEF INDUSTRIES, LLC (F/K/A CEF INDUSTRIES, INC.); CHAMPION AEROSPACE LLC; DATA DEVICE CORPORATION; DUKES AEROSPACE, INC.; ELECTROMECH TECHNOLOGIES LLC (F/K/A WESTERN SKY, INDUSTRIES, LLC); HARCOSEMCO LLC (F/K/A HARCO LABORATORIES, INCORPORATED) (F/K/A HARCO LLC); HARTWELL CORPORATION; MARATHONNORCO AEROSPACE, INC.; PEXCO AEROSPACE, INC.; PNEUDRAULICS, INC.; SCHNELLER LLC; SEMCO INSTRUMENTS, INC.; SHIELD RESTRAINT SYSTEMS, INC. (F/K/A AMSAFE COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS INC.) (F/K/A BEAM'S INDUSTRIES, INC.); TACTAIR FLUID CONTROLS, INC.; TEAC AEROSPACE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; TELAIR INTERNATIONAL LLC; TRANSICOIL LLC; WHIPPANY ACTUATION SYSTEMS, LLC; YOUNG & FRANKLIN INC.; ACME AEROSPACE, INC.
To: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.,
Reel/Frame 048365/0499 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 2, 2003
From: HUBER, THOMAS; KIESER, BENEDIKT; URCH, MATTHIAS; PERREITER, THOMAS; AUER, STEFAN
To: TELAIR INTERNATIONAL GMBH
Reel/Frame 014121/0228 →