Patent ID: 7120959
Filing Date: 2006-10-17
Classification: B64F

Abstract:
1. A method for elevationally aligning a movable bridge with a doorway of an aircraft, comprising: providing a sensor disposed on the movable bridge, the sensor mounted to a surface of the movable bridge via a telescopic support; using the sensor, launching electromagnetic radiation along a first optical path and in a direction toward the aircraft; sensing a first intensity of the electromagnetic radiation being reflected from a known surface of the aircraft along the first optical path; adjusting a length of the telescopic support for varying an elevational position of the sensor, so as to emit electromagnetic radiation along other optical paths that are increasingly vertically spaced apart from the first optical path, until the sensed intensity of electromagnetic radiation being reflected from the known surface of the aircraft along one of the other optical paths changes by a predetermined amount that is indicative of the sensor sensing an elevational limit of the known surface of the aircraft; and, adjusting an elevational position of an aircraft engaging portion of the movable bridge based upon the indicated elevational limit of the known surface of the aircraft and based upon a known elevational relationship between the elevational limit of the known surface of the aircraft and the doorway of the aircraft.