Patent ID: 9242726
Filing Date: 2016-01-26
CPC Classification: B64C,Y02T

Claim Text:
1. A method for powering an autonomous drive device ( 4 ) in an aircraft comprising a plurality of drive motors ( 5 ) for selectively driving wheels ( 6 ) at least when jet engines of the aircraft are not activated, the aircraft comprising an auxiliary power unit (APU) ( 2 ) driving a first generator ( 1 ) for supplying electric power to electrical devices on the aircraft that need to be powered when the jet engines are not activated, the method comprising: using a second generator ( using a gearbox coupled to the APU and to the first and second generators so that the first and second generators are disposed in parallel, the gearbox being adapted to transmit mechanical power from the APU to the first and second generators so that the first and second generators can be driven in parallel by the APU, and using the gearbox to transmit mechanical power from the second generator to the first generator when the second generator operates as a motor under the action of power recovered by the autonomous drive device, so as to assist the APU to drive at least the first generator.