Patent ID: 6742210
Filing Date: 2004-06-01
Classification: B64F

Abstract:
A system for automatically aligning one end of a passenger loading bridge to an aircraft having a doorway, comprising:a transmitter disposed aboard the aircraft for wirelessly transmitting a first electromagnetic signal for use in aligning the one end of the passenger loading bridge to the doorway of the aircraft; a transceiver for receiving the first electromagnetic signal transmitted from the transmitter and for providing a second electromagnetic signal relating to the received first electromagnetic signal; a processor in electrical communication with the transceiver, for determining a next movement of at least one of the aircraft and the one end of the passenger loading bridge for relatively moving the one end of the passenger loading bridge in a direction toward the doorway of the aircraft, for producing an electrical output signal indicative of the determined next movement and relating to the second electromagnetic signal, and for providing the electrical output signal to the transceiver; and a receiver disposed aboard the passenger loading bridge for receiving at least one of the first electromagnetic signal and the second electromagnetic signal and for producing a second electrical output signal relating to the at least one of the first electromagnetic signal and the second electromagnetic signal.