Patent ID: 9022316
Filing Date: 2015-05-05
Classification: B64C,Y02T

Abstract:
1. A failsafe system for ensuring the safe operation of an aircraft equipped with a system for independent ground movement comprising at least one powered landing gear drive wheel, an array of cockpit controls, and a system controller, wherein said failsafe system comprises a. onboard wheel drive means capable of translating torque through aircraft wheels drivingly connected to power said at least one landing gear drive wheel to move the aircraft independently on the ground without reliance on aircraft engines or tow vehicles; b. a gear assembly drivingly connected through a clutch assembly to said onboard wheel drive means; c. failsafe means operatively connected to said onboard wheel drive means comprising a solenoid powered lock assembly operatively connected between said onboard wheel drive means and a said gear assembly controllably powered to move between a first unlocked condition, wherein said onboard wheel drive means is drivingly connected to said at least one landing gear drive wheel, and a second locked condition, wherein said onboard wheel drive means is drivingly disconnected from said at least one landing gear drive wheel; further comprising a solenoid powered locking arm pivotally mounted on said onboard wheel drive means and a locking arm receptacle associated with said clutch assembly configured to receive said locking arm; wherein when said lock assembly is in said first unlocked condition, said locking arm is pivoted out of contact with said locking arm receptacle, and when said lock assembly is in said second locked condition, said locking arm is pivoted into engagement with said locking arm receptacle; d. a plurality of sensors adapted to receive a first set of information during aircraft independent ground movement relating to a plurality of selected operating parameters indicative of safe or unsafe aircraft ground movement and to transmit said first set of information to a system controller; e. a processor associated with the system controller adapted to generate a second set of information determinative of whether said first set of information indicates continued aircraft ground movement to be safe or unsafe; and f. a signal communication means adapted to communicate signals based on said second set of information between said system controller, a cockpit controls array, said lock assembly, and said onboard wheel drive means, wherein said lock assembly is signaled to remain in an unlocked condition when operation of said onboard wheel drive means may be continued safely; or said lock assembly is signaled to lock said onboard wheel drive means, thereby interrupting and preventing continued ground movement of said aircraft when operation of said onboard wheel drive means may not be continued safely.